Synthesizes existing information on the ecology, diversity, human uses & research needs of the Middle Rio Grande Basin of New Mexico. Begins with a review of the environmental history & human cultures of the basin, followed by an analysis of the influences & problems of climate & water. Also focuses on ecological processes, environmental changes & management problems. Each chapter identifies studies that can supply information to mitigate environmental problems, rehabilitate ecosystems, & sustain them in light of human values & needs.

These proceedings are an outcome of a symposium and workshop held June 2-5, 1998 in Albuquerque, NM. Hosted by the USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Bosque Improvement Group, in collaboration with numerous partners from a variety of sectors, the symposium was designed to report on current research and development activities in the Middle Rio Grande Basin. The purpose of the meeting was to share information and develop ideas for sustaining and conserving Middle Rio Grande Basin ecosystems, especially those from Cochiti Dam to Elephant Butte Reservoir. Experts were invited to contribute oral presentations, posters, and papers that addressed five Basin themes. Theme one's session was designed to identify methods and opportunities to enhance communication and collaboration among researchers, managers, and communities. A second theme explored ideas and approaches for conserving water and riparian resources in relation to human needs and population growth. Theme three discussed how watershed processes form linkages and influence management of upland and river resources. A fourth session identified methods and strategies for restoring and monitoring basin ecosystems and discussed project successes and failures. Theme five reported on status of endangered and sensitive species, biological diversity, and opportunities for restoring and managing habitats to recover species. Management and understanding of the Middle Rio Grande Basin's natural resources and ecosystems require communication and cooperation of partners across cultural, landowner, and organizational boundaries. To produce a shared understanding of the current state and desired future state of the Middle Rio Grande Basin and to outline the steps needed to move toward the desired future, a facilitated workshop was held the last day of the conference. The results of this workshop are reported in the concluding section of this proceedings. The technical coordinators of the symposium and proceedings wish to acknowledge all the partners who have contributed to the research, restoration, technology development, educational outreach, and special events and activities designed to improve human and ecosystem conditions in the Basin. We hope this volume captures at least some of the excitement, ideas, and productivity generated by Basin projects over the past several years.

This book synthesizes existing information on the ecology, diversity, human uses, and research needs of the Middle Rio Grande Basin of New Mexico. Divided into nine chapters, the volume begins with reviews of the environmental history and human cultures in the Basin, followed by an analysis of the influences and problems of climate and water. Later chapters focus on ecological processes, environmental changes, management problems, and current conditions in Basin ecosystems identified as being especially susceptible to damage: pinyon-juniper woodlands, grasslands and shrublands, and the riparian bosque of the Rio Grande. Research needs associated with land management problems are identified for each of these ecosystem types. Many interrelated factors, identified here, have contributed to deteriorating environmental conditions in the Basin. Concluding chapters on the belowground ecology of specific Basin ecosystems and on declining populations of native fish species highlight topics in need of further attention. Each chapter seeks to identify studies that can supply information to mitigate environmental problems, rehabilitate ecosystems, and sustain them in light of human values and needs.

This classroom resource provides clear, concise scientific information in an understandable and enjoyable way about water and aquatic life. Spanning the hydrologic cycle from rain to watersheds, aquifers to springs, rivers to estuaries, ample illustrations promote understanding of important concepts and clarify major ideas. Aquatic science is covered comprehensively, with relevant principles of chemistry, physics, geology, geography, ecology, and biology included throughout the text. Emphasizing water sustainability and conservation, the book tells us what we can do personally to conserve for the future and presents job and volunteer opportunities in the hope that some students will pursue careers in aquatic science. Texas Aquatic Science, originally developed as part of a multi-faceted education project for middle and high school students, can also be used at the college level for non-science majors, in the home-school environment, and by anyone who educates kids about nature and water. To learn more about The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment, sponsors of this book's series, please click here.

The Rio Grande was ancient long before the first humans reached its banks. These days, the highly regulated river looks nothing like it did to those early settlers. Alternately viewed as a valuable ecosystem and life-sustaining foundation of community welfare or a commodity to be engineered to yield maximum economic benefit, the Rio Grande has brought many advantages to those who live in its valley, but the benefits have come at a price. This study examines human interactions with the Rio Grande from prehistoric time to the present day and explores what possibilities remain for the desert river. From the perspectives of law, development, tradition, and geology, the authors weigh what has been gained and lost by reining in the Rio Grande.

Coastal and marine ecosystems, some severely degraded, other still pristine, control rich resources of inshore environments and coastal seas of Latin America's Pacific and Atlantic margins. Conflicts between the needs of the region's nations and diminishing revenues and environmental quality have induced awareness of coastal ecological problems and motivated financial support for restoration and management. The volume provides a competent review on the structure, processes and function of 22 important Latin American coastal marine ecosystems. Each contribution describes the environmental settings, biotic components and structure of the system, considers trophic processes and energy flow, evaluates the modifying influence of natural and human perturbations, and suggests management needs. Although the focus of the book is on basic ecological research, the results have application for coastal managers.

The varied topics presented in these symposium proceedings represent the diverse nature of the Bitterroot Ecosystem Management Research Project (BEMRP). Separated into six sections, the papers cover the different themes researched by BEMRP collaborators as well as brief overviews of five other ecosystem management projects. The sections are: Understanding the Ecosystem, Its Parts and Processes; Understanding the People and Their Relationship to the Ecosystem; Implementation for Specific Landscape Areas; Overviews of Other Ecosystem Management Research Projects in the West; Fieldtrip Abstracts; and Poster Session Abstracts. The papers presented here are from a symposium held in order to summarize research conducted under the first five-year charter for BEMRP. The symposium was held 1999 May 18-20 in Missoula, Montana for interested public, land managers, and researchers.