Over the past 30 years, the Mid-continent population of Lesser Snow Geese has tripled, causing degradation (from goose feeding habits) in large tracts of coastal wetlands in the Hudson Bay region (described in the
October 28, 1998 Scout Report for Science & Engineering). The Hudson Bay Project is a collaborative research program examining the interactions of biotic and abiotic factors that lead to such trophic cascades (runaway ecological processes). The Webpage, illustrated with color photos, describes the myriad of research programs -- from the use of LANDSAT satellite imagery to detect changes in vegetation, to studies of digestive physiology -- and lists participating scientists and affiliated institutions. Also at the site are full reference lists of relevant publications (including current and "in press" publications), a News section providing research updates, and a selection of recommended links. This excellent research site simplifies the complexity of ecosystem-scale studies enough to make it user-friendly to the general public but not so much that the impressive content and depth of the research is compromised.
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