This report defines the role of nearshore ecosystems, such as wetlands and seagrass meadows, as nurseries for populations of fish and shellfish that may be of commercial value to humans. The ecological value of nursery habitats in relation to the life cycle of many species of fish and invertebrates is mentioned as the nursery-role hypothesis is discussed. Biological, physical, chemical, and...
Sheep graze on a ridge at sunset in front of the Qilian Mountain Range in the northeastern region of the Tibetan Plateau. A recent study investigated the effects of experimental warming and simulated grazing (clipping) on rangeland quality in meadows and shrublands on the Tibetan Plateau. The Tibetan Plateau is a rangeland system experiencing climatic and land use changes. Researchers found that...
This Issue describes how agriculture provides important ecosystem services in the forms of food and fiber, but can also convey many disservices to agroecosystems themselves and to the ecosystems affected by agricultural practices. In particular, agricultural activities contribute substantial amounts of greenhouse gases, including more methane and nitrous oxide than any other human activity. For...
The article by John Banks [attached] outlines innovative programs worldwide that integrate the seemingly opposed goals of agriculture and conservation biology to produce mutually beneficial outcomes. This ecological conflict and subsequent movement towards integration provides an opportunity for students to actively learn science by structuring arguments for both sides of an issue, then...
Can transgenes be kept on a leash?” ask Marvier and Van Acker in the [attached] review article. “No”, they answer, “the movement of transgenes beyond their intended destination is a virtual certainty”, and furthermore “it is unlikely that transgenes can be retracted once they have escaped”. Would these bold statements engage students, revealing the realities and complexities of gene...
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