UNIT 5: Ecology

Textbook Article

Global Warming — Changing the Planet

Updated June 9, 2010 — Polar bears are beginning to drown. In the summer, the area of arctic sea ice on which these carnivores hunt seals has declined 10 to 15 percent as worldwide temperatures rise. As this ice is lost, polar bears must swim as far as 100 kilometers (about 60 mi) to find their prey. Some of these polar bears do not make it. If global warming is changing the shape of one of Earth’s coldest regions, how will it affect the rest of our planet?

July 13, 2009Expedition — Costa Rica

Check out an ecotourist's adventure in the Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica, one of the world’s most diverse tropical rain forests. Read about the animals and plants she found on her trip.

January 22, 2009Charging to Pollute

Carbon dioxide is the primary gas that causes the greenhouse effect which traps heat in our atmosphere and is part of global warming. Carbon dioxide is a product of many chemical reactions, such as the combustion of gasoline, coal, and...

May 15, 2008Polar Bears Listed as "Threatened" Under the Endangered Species Act

Following the recommendation of Dale Hall, director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), the U.S. Secretary of the Interior has opted to list the polar bear as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The...

January 8, 2008States Enact Regulations to Cut Greenhouse Emissions

The call to cut greenhouse gas emissions has not fallen on deaf ears at the state level. Due to a lack of initiative on the part of the federal government, states are dealing with regulating greenhouse gas emissions on their...

September 24, 2007Researchers Work to Combat Climate Change

Rising levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are a major cause of global climate change. Many scientists are tackling the problem from different angles. Here are a few examples of current research into lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

September 24, 2007Global Warming Research: Understanding the Situation

The evidence for global climate change is undeniable. Many researchers are trying to understand climate change: its change over time, its impact on ecosystems and economies, and how to limit its effects. Here are a few examples of current research into the state of climate change.