ORNL DAAC Educator's Corner
Ecosystem Processes
Puzzles created by the ORNL DAAC, especially suited for grades 1-7
Lists of web sites categorized by subject areas within science. Subject areas included are: Earth and Space Science, Physical Science, History of Science, Careers, Life Science, Informal Education, and Process Skills.
Evaluates our understanding of the world's ecosystems, and how they interact with other components of the Earth's environment. Discusses global ecological processes, and evaluates their potential response to human activity.
The Environment: A Global Challenge. Discusses deforestation, denitrification, desalinization, desertification, detoxification, emissions, environmental degradation, erosion, and extinction. [Excellent resource]
Discusses what Ecosystems are and how humans have effected them. Discusses what Biomes are and includes a section on each of the major biomes: Mountains (High Elevation), Tundra, Temperate Forest, Marine/Island, Desert, Tropical Dry Forest, Cold Climate Forest, Grassland, Savannah, and Tropical Rainforest.
Selected Measurements from Croplands, Forests, and Coasts and Oceans. Also available in a set of PDF files for download.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) global warming site discusses the problem of global warming (Climate), greenhouse gasses (Emissions), how serious the problem is (Impacts), and what is being done (Actions).
Discusses what Natural Attenuation is, how it works, why it is important, and where it is being used. Includes useful terms such as Biodegredation, dilution, dispersion, and adsorption. Also contains a Schematic Diagram of Aerobic Biodegradation in Soil.
The National Environmental Research Park, located on the DOE reservation at Oak Ridge, provides 9,106 ha (22,500 acres) of protected land for research and education in the environmental sciences. Lying in the heart of an eastern deciduous forest area of streams and reservoirs, hardwood forests, and extensive upland mixed forests, the research park offers the unique advantages of a large information base, a close proximity to educational institutions, and on-site resources--the services of environmental scientists at ORNL and the field and laboratory facilities.
CMDL conducts research related to atmospheric constituents that are capable of forcing change in the climate of the Earth or that may deplete the ozone layer. CMDL monitors greenhouse gases, aerosols, ozone, ozone-depleting gases and solar and terrestrial radiation.