 | Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion Desert |
 | Caribbean Colombia Ecology (Colombia Caribe y su Ecologia) The ecoregion of caribbean colombia has 1600 km coast and inside the 500 km2 sea waters live together many species of fish, crustacean and mollusc. The culture of this latin communities is assorted in detail, because it changes depending on its landscape around: coast cities ( Barranquilla, Santa Marta, Cartagena ), towns near Magdalena river, tropical islands (San Andres and Providencia), dry territory like Guajira Desert, high mountain with snow peaks (Sierra Nevada) or large territories of sabana (sucre, cordoba). Nuestra ecoregion es tan rica y sus paisajes tan distintos, que esto ha impactado en lo variado en detalle de la denominada "cultura costena". |
 | A lesson in Eco-Anarchism from Bougainville From the documentary "Coconut Revolution" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479000/ BRA - Bougainville Revolutionary Army PNGDF - Paupa New Guinea Defence Force from wikipedia.org: Bougainville Island is part of Papua New Guinea. Geographically, Bougainville is included in the chain of islands known as the Solomon Islands in Melanesia. Bougainville, the adjacent island of Buka, and assorted outlying islands including the Carterets are sometimes known as the North Solomons. Bougainville is included in the Solomon Islands rain forests ecoregion. The nation of Solomon Islands is a separate state. Together they make up the Papua New Guinean (PNG) Bougainville Province. The population of the province is 175,160 (2000 census). In the 1970s, Bougainville Copper Limited (BCL, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto) began exploiting the island's huge copper reserves. Resentment over the negative effects of the company's activities on the area and the lack of any tangible benefit to the islanders erupted into conflict in the 1990s. Attempts at proclaiming the independence of Bougainville (Republic of North Solomons) have occurred twice: in 1975 and 1990. In the second case the government of Papua New Guinea moved to put down what became a secessionist movement led by Francis Ona, a former surveyor for BCL. The PNG army received military aid from Australia and enlisted the support of Sandline International, a mercenary firm. The island was embargoed to weaken its people's resistance. However, they proved much more resilient than expected, designing their own weapons and converting engines to vegetable oil. Peace talks brokered by New Zealand began in 1997, leading to autonomy for the island. via OneBigTorrent.org |
 | Lord Howe: similar to Skull Island from King Kong? Lord Howe island is a distinct terrestrial ecoregion, known as the Lord Howe Island subtropical forests. It is part of the Australasia ecozone, and shares many biotic affinities with Australia, New Guinea, and New Caledonia. Lord Howe Island was never part of a continent, and all of its flora and fauna colonized the island from across the sea. Almost half of the island's native plants are endemic. One of the best known is Howea, an endemic genus of palms (Arecaceae) that are commonly known as kentia palms and make handsome houseplants. Several million are exported annually providing the only major industry on the island apart from tourism. Another endemic feature of the island are the Glowing Mushrooms, that can be seen after heavy rain. Found in the Palm forests, they can be picked and last for a number of days glowing. The glow is so bright that you can read by it in the dark. 14 species of seabirds and 18 species of landbirds breed on the island group, including an endemic species, the Lord Howe Woodhen (Gallirallus sylvestris) and 3 endemic subspecies, the Lord Howe Golden Whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis contempta), the Lord Howe White-eye (Zosterops lateralis tephropleurus) and the Lord Howe Currawong (Strepera graculina crissalis). A number of endemic bird species and subspecies have become extinct since the arrival of humans on the island. The Lord Howe Swamphen or White Gallinule (Porphyrio albus), the White-throated Pigeon (Columba vitiensis godmanae), Red-fronted Parakeet (Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae subflavescens) and the Tasman Booby (Sula tasmani) were eliminated by settlers during the nineteenth century. The accidental introduction of the Black Rat in the 1918 shipwreck of the Makambo triggered a second wave of extinctions including the Vinous-tinted Thrush (Turdus poliocephalus vinitinctus), the Robust White-eye (Zosterops strenuus) and the Lord Howe Starling (Alponis fusca hulliana), the Lord Howe Fantail (Rhipidura fuliginosa cervina) and the Lord Howe Gerygone (Gerygone insularis). Only one native mammal remains on the islands, the Large Forest Bat (Eptesicus sagittula). The endemic bat species (Nyctophilus howensis) is known only from a skull and is now presumed extinct. The cause of its extinction may have been predation by Masked Owl, introduced to the island in the 1920s to control rats. The Masked Owl may also have caused the extinction of the Lord Howe Boobook (Ninox novaeseelandiae albaria). Two terrestrial reptiles are native to the island group: the skink (Leiolopisma lichenigera)) and the gecko (Phyllodactylus guentheri). Both are rare on the main island but more common on smaller islands offshore. The skink (Lampropholis delicata) and the Bleating Tree Frog (Litoria dentata) have been accidentally introduced from the Australian mainland in recent years. The Lord Howe Island stick insect (Dryococelus australis) disappeared from the main island soon after the introduction of Black rats. In 2001 a tiny population was discovered in a single (Melaleuca howeana) shrub on the slopes of Ball's Pyramid. Another endemic invertebrate, the Lord Howe Placostylus, has also been affected by the introduction of the black rat. Once common, the species is now endangered and a captive breeding program is under way to save the snail from extinction. Over 400 fish species are found in the waters around Lord Howe including 9 endemic to the region. Over 80 species of coral occur in the reefs surrounding the islands. About 10 percent of Lord Howe Island's forests have been cleared for agriculture, and another 20 percent has been disturbed by domestic cattle and feral sheep, goats, and pigs. Despite a large number of introduced species that harm Lord Howe's native flora and fauna, goats have recently been eliminated from the island, the feral pig population has been reduced, and there are ongoing efforts to control rats, mice, and introduced plants. A recovery program has restored the Lord Howe Woodhen numbers from only 20 in 1970 to approximately 200. |
 | Students take action on global warming The WWF Allianz Southeast Climate Witness Program selected 24 high school students to engage in vulnerability research on the Southeast Rivers and Streams Ecoregion. These students earned the opportunity to work with scientists on their research and learn about climate change from some of the most active scientists in the field today. In Washington, D.C., the students had the experience to speak in a briefing on Capitol Hill in which Chairman Markey of the Select Committee on Energy Indepence and Global Warming greeted them as the Green Generation and encouraged them to continue to take action on climate change. |
 | The WWF Allianz Southeast Climate Witness Program selected 2 The WWF Allianz Southeast Climate Witness Program selected 24 high school students to engage in vulnerability research on the Southeast Rivers and Streams Ecoregion. These students earned the opportunity to work with scientists on their research and learn about climate change from some of the most active scientists in the field today. In Washington, D.C., the students had the experience to speak in a briefing on Capitol Hill in which Chairman Markey of the Select Committee on Energy Indepence and Global Warming greeted them as the Green Generation and encouraged them to continue to take action on climate change. |
 | Relleno Sanitario "La Glorita" Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia Este video pretende mostrar a la comunidad el mal manejo que se le da al Relleno "Sanitario" (???) La Glorita en la ciudad de Pereira, Risaralda, Colombia. Pretendemos que se cree conciencia sobre los perjuicios y riesgos que este puede tener en el medio ambiente y a la comunidad aledaña. Por favor ayudenos que esto puede afectarlo en un futuro a usted!!!! ["Somos... Corazón del Eje Cafetero... Departamento Verde...? o el Sanitario de la Ecoregion..Ayudenos...veredasuecia@ymail"] |
 | Las Once Ecoregiones Naturales del Peru Una pequeña muestra de la grandeza del Perú La geografía peruana, que se extiende desde nuestro mar territorial, hasta la costa, la sierra y la selva, gracias a la imponente Cordillera de los Andes, y las corrientes marinas que surcan sus mares, es única, pues de las 117 zonas de vida reconocidas en el mundo, 84 (71.8% del total mundial), se encuentran en este país privilegiado. Además, el 13% de todos los bosques tropicales del mundo (2º en el mundo), con una extensión de 756,866 km2, se encuentran en nuestro territorio. Cumbres, sierras y montañas La Cordillera Blanca, es la cordillera nevada más alta de los trópicos, se levanta imponente con sus cerca de 50 picos nevados con más de 6.000 metros de altura. Los andes peruanos también poseen 1.769 glaciares en una de las 20 grandes áreas glaciales del mundo. Las cordilleras tienen más de 12.000 lagos altoandinos y lagunas, y maravillas geográficas como los cañones del Colca y de Cotahuasi, en Arequipa, que son los más profundos de la Tierra. En nuestro territorio existen tres macrocuencas, la del Amazonas, la del Titicaca y la del Pacífico. Ríos, bosques y quebradas Veintiocho de los 32 tipos de clima (87,5%) que hay en el mundo, se sienten en la 11 ecoregiones del Perú que incluyen, mares fríos y tropicales, selvas, bosques secos ecuatoriales y bosques tropicales del Pacífico, sabanas de palmeras, pasando por desiertos costeros, páramos, punas, serranías y estepas. En ellas hay 186 zonas geotérmicas (39% de Sudamérica). |
 | Dia de la Tierra Dia de la tierra en la Universidad Libre, seccional Pereira |
 | Gifts of Western Ghats - Rain Forests of India Western Ghats in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka is home to tea, coffee and spice plantations, reserved forests, and dense tropical jungles. Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, and Wild Boars dwell in the forests. Sloth Bear, Leopard and tiger are also found. The Western Ghats is home to numerous serene hill stations like Munnar, Ponmudi, Waynad, Ooty, Kodaikannal, Coorg etc. The Silent Valley National Park in Kerala is among the last tracts of virgin tropical evergreen forest in India. The Western Ghats form one of the three watershed of India, feeding the perennial rivers of peninsula India. Important rivers include the Godavari, Krishna, and Kaveri. Rivers that flow to the west drain out into the Arabian Sea. These rivers are fast-moving, owing to the short distance travelled and steeper gradient. Important rivers include the Mandovi, Zuari, and Periyar. Many of these rivers feed the backwaters of Kerala and Maharashtra. Rivers that flow eastwards of the Ghats drain into the Bay of Bengal. These are comparatively slower moving and eventually merge into larger rivers such as the Kaveri and Krishna. Smaller rivers include the Chittar, Bhima, Malaprabha, Manimuthar, Kabini, Kallayi, Kundali, Pachaiyar, Pennar, and Tambaraparani. Fast running rivers and steep slopes have provided various state governments set large hydro-electric projects. There are about major 50 dams along the length of the Western Ghats with the earliest project up in 1900 near Khopoli in Maharashtra. Most notable of these projects are the Koyna Dam in Maharashtra, the Parambikulam Dam in Kerala, and the Linganmakki Dam in Karnataka. The reservoir behind the Koyna Dam, the Shivajisagar Lake, is one of the largest reservoirs in India with a length of 50 km (31 mi) and depth of 80 m (262 ft). During the monsoon season, numerous streams fed by incessant rain drain off the mountain sides leading to numerous and often spectacular waterfalls. Among the most well known is the Jog Falls, Kunchikal Falls, Sivasamudram Falls, and Lushington Falls. Historically the Western Ghats were well-covered in dense forests that provided wild foods and natural habitats for native tribal people. Its inaccessibility made it difficult for people from the plains to cultivate the land and build settlements. After the arrival of the British in the area, large swathes of territory were cleared for agricultural plantations and timber. The area is ecologically sensitive to development and was declared an ecological hotspot in 1988 through the efforts of ecologist Norman Myers. Though this area covers barely five percent of India's land, 27% of all species of higher plants in India (4,000 of 15,000 species) are found here. Almost 1,800 of these are endemic to the region. The range is home to at least 84 amphibian species, 16 bird species, seven mammals, and 1,600 flowering plants which are not found elsewhere in the world. The Government of India established many protected areas including 2 biosphere reserves, 13 National parks to restrict human access, several wildlife sanctuaries to protect specific endangered species and many Reserve Forests, which are all managed by the forest departments of their respective state to preserve some of the ecoregions still undeveloped. Many National Parks were initially Wildlife Sanctuaries. In 2006, India applied to the UNESCO MAB for some 7 regions to be listed as a protected World Heritage Site. |
 | Seeds of Success Oregon Ecoregions segment |
 | Girl's Speech @ UN Conference on Environment and Development The United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, also known as the Rio Summit, Earth Summit (or, in Portuguese, Eco '92) was a major conference held in Rio de Janeiro from June 3 to June 14, 1992. 178 governments participated, with 118 sending their heads of state or government.Some 2,400 representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) attended, with 17,000 people at the parallel NGO Forum, who had so-called Consultative Status. The issues addressed included: *systematic scrutiny of patterns of production — particularly the production of toxic components, such as lead in gasoline, or poisonous waste; *alternative sources of energy to replace the use of fossil fuels which are linked to global climate change; *new reliance on public transportation systems in order to reduce vehicle emissions, congestion in cities and the health problems caused by polluted air and smog; *the growing scarcity of water. An important achievement was an agreement on the Climate Change Convention which in turn led to the Kyoto Protocol. Another was agreement to "not carry out any activities on the lands of indigenous peoples that would cause environmental degradation or that would be culturally inappropriate". The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature at the Earth Summit, and made a start towards redefinition of money supply measures that did not inherently encourage destruction of natural ecoregions and so-called uneconomic growth. Twelve cities were also honoured by the Local Government Honours Award for innovative local environmental programs. These included Sudbury, Ontario in Canada for its ambitious program to rehabilitate environmental damage from the local mining industry, Austin, Texas in the United States for its green building strategy, and Kitakyushu in Japan for incorporating an international education and training component into its municipal pollution control program. The Earth Summit resulted in the following documents: *Rio Declaration on Environment and Development; *Agenda 21; *Convention on Biological Diversity; *Forest Principles; *Framework Convention on Climate Change. Both Convention on Biological Diversity and Framework Convention on Climate Change were set as legally binding agreements. Critics, however, point out that many of the agreements made in Rio have not been realized regarding such fundamental issues as fighting poverty and cleaning up the environment. |
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