Species distribution modelling (SDM), also called environmental niche modelling (ENM), habitat suitability modelling, or range mapping, uses ecological models to predict where a species lives across different areas and times. These models rely on environmental data, such as temperature, rainfall, soil type, water depth, and land cover. SDMs are used in conservation biology, ecology, and evolutionary studies.
The Living Planet Index (LPI) is a tool that shows how global biological diversity is changing over time. It tracks population trends of vertebrate species from around the world. The Zoological Society of London (ZSL) works with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) to manage the index.
Reef Life Survey is a program that monitors marine life in Hobart, Tasmania. It works in many countries around the world, but most of its activities take place in Australia because many of the volunteers are from there. Most surveys are carried out by volunteer divers who enjoy diving as a hobby.
Species distribution, or species dispersion, describes how a type of living thing is spread out in different areas. The area where a species can be found is called its range, which is often shown as shaded areas on a map. The way species are spread out can look different depending on the level of detail being studied, such as how individuals are arranged in a small group, patterns within a larger group of the same species, or the overall spread of the entire species.
The National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) is a program managed by Battelle Memorial Institute and supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF). NEON has been fully operational since 2019 and collects and shares long-term, standardized data about how ecosystems respond to changes in land use and climate. It also studies how ecosystems interact with the geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
“In situ” is a Latin phrase that means “in the place” or “on site.” It comes from the Latin words “in” (meaning “in”) and “situ” (meaning “place”). This term describes studying or working with something in its natural or original location instead of moving it. This method helps keep the natural environment and relationships intact, which can be lost if items are moved to controlled settings.
The Hudson River, like many large rivers that flow through cities, faces a lot of pollution. Sources of pollution include large chemical factories, farms, and household waste. A major issue is the release of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from General Electric factories.
Bioremediation is a method used to clean up polluted areas by using microorganisms that are already present or added to the site. The term “in situ” means “on site” and refers to the location where an event happens. In the context of bioremediation, in situ means that the cleanup happens at the polluted location without moving the contaminated materials.
Soil vapor extraction (SVE) is a method used to clean up pollution in the area above groundwater, where soil is not fully saturated with water. This process removes harmful, volatile substances by moving them from the soil into the air. Once these substances are in the air, they are collected through special wells and sent to systems above ground for treatment.
Electrokinetics is a method that uses direct electric current to remove organic, inorganic, and heavy metal particles from soil. This technique helps clean the soil without disturbing the ground’s surface while treating pollution below the surface.