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The article discusses biological research and conservation efforts between U.S. and Cuban scientists. According to the author, a meeting sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) in Cuba, between Cuban scientists and U.S. marine biologists from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was made possible because of certain trade restrictions that have been lifted by U.S. president Barack Obama's administration. Topics include a discussion on what makes Cuba of special interest to biologists, such as its pristine habitat, reptilian diversity, and its proximity to the U.S., and the various challenges scientists face, such as travel restrictions and Cuba's poor communications infrastructure. INSET: Solenodons.

The article talks about the role of citizen scientists in conducting research. Collaborations between scientists and volunteers have the potential to broaden the scope of research and enhance the ability to collect scientific data. The term "citizen scientists" refers to volunteers who participate as field assistants in scientific studies. Using volunteers also allows scientists to gather data on a large. Citizen scientists, who range from schoolchildren to retirees, help researchers collect data on longer timescales and larger geographic scales than the scientists and their students and field technicians could cover.

The article discusses the role of captive breeding programs and desert enhancements in efforts to revive the declining number of Sonoran pronghorn. The Sonoran pronghorn is said to be the most endangered large mammal in the U.S. According to the author, pronghorn have suffered from fences, roads, railroad tracks and other human developments that break up their habitat, cut them off from sources of food and water and make them vulnerable to hunters. Biologists from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Arizona Game and Fish Department (AGFD) have created habitat-enhancement plots in the desert for pronghorn.

This article reports on the position of zoos and animal welfare advocates on the issue over elephants in captivity in the U.S. in 2006. Critics say zoos lack space to house elephants. Zoos argue that they are expanding and improving exhibits, and that elephants live better in captivity than in the wild with disease, drought, habitat loss, poaching, and conflicts with people. Bob Jenkins, animal care and conservation director at the San Francisco Zoo, ponders the loss of elephants from the city-owned zoo. This dispute has led several zoos to eliminate or phase out their elephant programs.

The article features the Nash Prairie, the largest remaining pristine coastal prairie in southern Texas. The prairie is considered a haven where tall grasses billow over sedges and wildflowers. Following farming methods of the Czech and German immigrants who settled the area, the Nash Prairie and other smaller hay fields on the ranch remained unplowed. The Nash Prairie has not only diverse plants but also a rich bird fauna. Despite its ecological significance, conservationists and church leaders worry about the future of Nash Prairie. Possibilities for protecting the prairie are mentioned.

This article features the Sonoran Joint Venture program of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FSW) in Arizona. Created in 1999, the Sonoran Joint Venture program was the first joint venture to shift from a waterfowl to an all-bird approach--an approach since adopted by most joint ventures under the 1986 North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Working with the Instituto del Medio Ambiente y el Desarrollo Sustentable, the Sonoran state wildlife agency, and Mexican conservation groups, the Sonoran Joint Venture offers grants and other program support to a variety of projects. It covers southern Arizona and California, the Mexican states of Sonora and Sinaloa, and the Baja peninsula, according Robert Mesta, FSW coordinator for the program. Some of the projects under the Sonoran Joint Venture program involved the restoration of marshes and a cottonwood and willow habitat along the Colorado River, the identification of species that nest in or otherwise use or migrate through the Colorado River Delta, and the establishment of research sites for Point Reyes Bird Observatory.

This article discusses the benefits of the introduction of Tamarisk, a tree-like shrub from Asia, on the ecosystem of Arizona. A growing number of researchers and conservationist have taken the controversial position that the Tamarisk do not pose a threat to the native flora in Arizona. Revisionists like Robert Webb, a professor of hydrology from the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona, now see the tamarisk as just another species that might be beneficial that previously thought. This maybe true especially when Tamarisk is mixed with cottonwoods and willows. However, there are ecologist who do not accept the views of revisionists. Timothy Carlson, executive director of the Tamarisk Coalition, says that the Tamarisk has a significantly greater detrimental impact on native species. This applies to riparian areas, as well as dry areas, where the Tamarisk displaces sage, rabbit brush and creosote.

Focuses on the presence of wildlife in urban settings in the U.S. Relationship between wildlife and ecological and human health; Function of the Seabird Ecological Assessment Network program; Changes in the population dynamics among sea turtles found in New York waters in 2004; Importance of carrion and dung beetles to ecosystem services.

Reports on the research cooperation between the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), representing a renewed effort by (FWS) to rebuild its scientific credibility and to foster research related to the federal wildlife agency's program and management responsibilities as of January 2005. Historical background on the relationship between USGS and FWS; Efforts to improve the ability to undertake and make use of science at FWS; Challenges facing cooperative research.

Explores the Colorado River Delta in Mexico. Biological significance of the river delta; Geographical location of the river; Control of the water flow of the river delta; Issues surrounding the establishment of the Yuma water plant at the driver delta.

Presents information on the plant communities that grow in the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. Plant species found in the area; Identification of plant communities within the gorge; Recognition of the Potomac Gorge's biodiversity.

Ray Turner aims his camera with great care at a precise spot on a nearby ridge at Saguaro National Park, east of Tucson, Arizona. First, Turner makes sure that two large saguaros--one with four armlike branches reaching out and up, candelabra-style, and the other just a column with no branches yet--are aligned with the same Santa Catalina mountain peaks in the background in exactly the same position as in previous pictures. Then, carefully, Turner checks his position and camera direction with his compass and global positioning system. Finally, he snaps several pictures of the saguaros and their surroundings, just as he has done periodically since 1962. We have photos from our study sites going as far back as 1867," says Turner, a retired US Geological Survey (USGS) botanist and perhaps the foremost authority on saguaros. He pulls out a 1984 photograph of the same site that shows four large saguaros. Today, only the two remain. The 1984 photo also shows several palo verde trees that are now gone. In their place, prickly pear cacti glisten in the early morning sun. "These photos show how the desert changes over the years," Turner says. "These sites are important for long-term research. They are among the oldest continually monitored plots in the world." Turner's research and that of others has helped shed new light on saguaros and other columnar cacti, recording changes in their numbers over time and illuminating their relationship with other plants and animals. At the same time, their studies demonstrate how much scientists still have to learn about what is certainly the Sonoran Desert's most-studied plant--and its most recognizable one. Saguaros are the largest cacti in the United States.

Discusses the mediation of environmental disputes in the U.S. Role of the US Institute for Environmental Conflict Resolution; Forum which is provided where people can help shape a project which has environmental implications; Situations in which negotiation may be difficult, including the differences in negotiating values and interests.

Focuses on the use of the Biosphere 2 Center near Oracle, Arizona, which contains different plants and habitats in order to test how ecosystems might respond to rising carbon dioxide levels and other climate changes associated with global warming. Oxygen-carbon dioxide imbalance which had taken place during a previous experiment in space colonization; Role of Wallace Broecker in helping to investigate the imbalance; Tests on how rising carbon dioxide levels affect coral reefs.

Examines efforts to restore and preserve the aquatic habitat along the Colorado River through the Ahakhav Tribal Preserve in the Sonoran Desert, Arizona. Use of part of their allotment of river water by the Colorado River Indian Tribes to restore the habitat; Increase in the numbers of bird species and a conservation plan for the river and its endangered wildlife; Uses of the river, including irrigation, drinking water, and electricity; Topic of the southwestern willow flycatcher, which was endangered.

Focuses on habitat, plants, and animals in the Sonoran Desert at the Sonoran Desert National Monument (SDNM). How the creation of the SDNM is part of a larger effort to protect large sections of desert and adjacent lands from further development; Discussion of how winter and summer rains support saguaro and other types of cacti.

Reports on the growing application of global positioning system (GPS) technology in natural resource management and conservation. Details of the global positioning systems course taught by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) at the National Conservation Training Center (NCTC) in Shepherdstown, West Virginia; Training offered by NCTC to various people in natural resource management; Description of courses and class sizes.

Reports on how zoos and aquariums are focusing their conservation efforts to preserve natural habitats and animals in the wild. The preservation of distant habitats by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS); The saving of habitats in the United States; The preservation of endangered species.

Praises the success of the California condor program by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. Statistics on the number of California condors; Comments by Robert Mesta, condor program coordinator in Ventura, California, on the success of the condor release project; History of the California condors; Reasons for their near extinction; Conservation efforts; Financial problems; Hopes.

Describes efforts to remediate the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Colorado. The site as one of the most heavily contaminated Superfund locations in the United States; Cost and duration of the remediation; Use of the effort to understand the effects on wildlife of pesticides and toxic chemicals; Choice of remediation rather than complete cleanup; Study of the effects of dieldrin and other contaminants; The arsenal being a wildlife haven.

Highlights the role of international networks of computerized databases in providing information about the flora and fauna specimens in the study of natural history. Progress towards automating collection records; Computer generated maps to give scientists the ability to locate the origin of species; Public access to collections.

Looks at the Savannah River Site near Aiken in South Carolina as an ecological study area that shelters wild animals and dead nuclear reactors. History and biological productivity of the Site; Construction of nuclear facilities by the Atomic Energy Commission in 1991; Slow recruitment; Radiation and animals. INSET: Transferring knowledge to Chernobyl, by J.P.C..

Reports on the proposed changes in Florida's water management plans that could deliver more flow to the Everglades. Growth of the area covered by cattails; Canals that divert water from the Everglades; Effects of the drought to the wildlife; Result of nutrient enrichment; Inundation control; Restoration effort of the Army Corps of Engineers.

Reports on scientists' studies of salamander population dynamics, status, behavior and ecology. Description of salamanders; Distribution; Origin of name; Effects of clear-cut logging on salamander population; Disagreement among scientists; University of Georgia's study on salamanders; Other factors; Increase in conservation efforts. INSET: Competition can affect salamander numbers, by JPC..

Describes conservation and breeding programs to preserve Madagascar's endangered aye-ayes as biologists' examine their behavior in the laboratory and in the field. Classification as lemurs; Effect of Malagasy natives' superstition and habitat destruction on their declining population; Nosy Mangabe as a wildlife reserve; Capture of an eye-eye; Captive breeding; Research on biology, behavior and evolution of the breed; Remarks by conservationists.

Examines the recovery from extinction of the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus). Research by Eric Johnson, a biology professor at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo; Overview of over a decade of captive breeding; Path toward decline; Early conservation agenda; All agencies, including the California Fish and Game Commission, want a say in efforts for endangered species; Recovery advanced by research; Experimenting with Andean condors first; More.

Examines the opportunities to protect Central and Eastern Europe's remaining wild areas. Economic turmoil throughout the region has often forced environmental issues into the background. The importance of undeveloped areas; The area along the joint borders of Germany, Austria, and the Czech republic; Poland's Bialowieza National Park; The type of protection needed; The threat of pollution; Technical aid sent; More.

Discusses how ethics, politics, profit, and animal-rights concerns affect the process of balancing conservation goals and the public interests. The broad conservation management questions zoos must deal with; The decision of not breeding white tigers at many zoos; The popularity of white tigers; The question of what to do with hybrids; The politics of breeding; Other conservation efforts; Animal rights groups and zoos; The concerns of the public.

Reports on the application of techniques originally developed to aid the livestock industry and infertile human couples to breed rare and endangered animals. Nationwide effort to learn the reproductive status of all cheetahs in North American zoos; Hurdles to reproductive success; Main focus of zoo-based captive breeding programs in the U.S.; Reproductive biotechnology that focused on cats.

Reports on the success of a last-ditch captive breeding program for black-footed ferrets at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department's research center at Sybille. Plan to release several dozen ferrets into the wild; Culmination of a decade of federal, state and private efforts to save the species; Delay in developing a breeding program which almost resulted in a catastrophe for the ferrets.

Elaborates on the comeback of the wolf population. Wolf's range and recovery; How to manage wolves; Yellowstone reintroduction; Livestock losses; Political questions; Reintroducing wolves into New Mexico; The road to recovery.

Describes the ongoing work in conservation, research and education on St. Catherine's Island, a privately owned barrier island south of Savannah, Georgia. From hunter-gatherers to scientists; Native ecology; Endangered species on the island; Relics of Indian society; Ecology education.

Addresses the role genetics play in wildlife biology during a period in which scientists are using studies of mitochrondial and nuclear DNA to learn more about the basic biology of wild animals. Genetic invariability of some species; Results of studies on pandas, lions, rhinoceroses and gazelles; How to divide primates into species; Conservation plans that reflect genetics.

Examines the impending disaster for African elephants at a time when science is discovering the value of elephants. Consequences of poaching; Elephant society; Ecological impacts of elephants; Elephant communication; Public awareness; Banning ivory trade; Zoo breeding; Priorities.

Examines the reasons for the increased use of unusual species of laboratory animals for biomedical research. Animals being used in research including armadillos, opossums, ferrets, and woodchucks because they offer certain biological characteristics, or are susceptible to certain diseases; What testing the armadillo can indicate to researchers; Reproduction and leprosy; Development; Other diseases.

Discusses efforts in Panama to restore the population of the green iguana, a tree-living reptile. Iguanas are considered an endangered species due to the destruction of tropical forests; Efforts of Dagmar Werner to bring the green iguana back to Panama; Number of years that green iguanas have been hunted and eaten throughout Central America; Why they are called the 'chicken of the trees'; Details of Werner's project, which provides the farmers of Panama a cheap source of protein that does not compete with people or domestic livestock for food.

Speculates on how species might cope with global warming. Ways to examine the biological consequences of the greenhouse effect; Shifts in forests; Animal migrations; Arctic impacts; Habitat considerations; Uncertainty of the future.

Calls for worldwide conservation efforts for rhinoceros. Details of a rhinoceros census; Creation of protected sanctuaries for black and white rhinos in Africa and Kenya; Efforts toward captive breeding.

Argues that a greater sensitivity to local culture could increase the success of both conservation and development projects. Idea that local people's access to resources may be the crucial, but often unrecognized, conflict in conservation efforts; Opinion of Stuart Hudson of the National Wildlife Federation that conservationists must overcome the cultural view of tropical rain forests as jungles to be conquered in order to preserve habitat for endangered animals, such as the golden lion tamarin; Perception that culture can be used to conserve specific species as well as habitats, which is demonstrated in the case of elephant domestication in Sri Lanka; The importance of understanding the cultures of indigenous peoples and involving them in conservation efforts.

Discusses the threat that chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) pose to the environment and human health. Difficulties associated with finding alternative chemicals which do not hurt the U.S. economy; History of the controversy; Consideration of the growing hole in the ozone layer; Chemical processes that affect stratospheric ozone; Use of satellite data from the National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA) to provide evidence for the chlorofluorocarbon-ozone link.

Details a captive breeding program to save red wolves, an endangered species, and the plans for the reintroduction of these animals into the wilds of northeastern North Carolina. History of the red wolf in the US; Debate over the taxonomy of the species; Efforts to keep the captive wolves wild; Picking an ideal release site.

Scientists are researching how the inner workings of cells and molecules influence the aging of tissues, organs, and whole organisms. Discoveries about the limited ability of cells to divide have generated interest in the cell's role in the aging process. In the early 1960s microbiologist Leonard Hayflick demonstrated that normal human fibrolast cells have only a limited ability to divide. As cells age, they change in several ways, some of which reflect the way whole organisms change. Some scientists speculate that the wear and tear of performing normal life processes as well as warding off bacteria and toxins causes cells to age and die. One theory states that aging results from an accumulation of random breaks or mutations in DNA. Several studies indicate a decreased ability of cells to repair damaged DNA as they age. Another theory predicts that faulty cellular enzymes accumulate and ultimately cause the cells to age. James Smith of the Baylor College of Medicine in Texas found substances on the surface of cells that may prevent them from making DNA and dividing. An outside source of interference are the free radicals. There is a theory of developmentally programmed aging. Some scientists believe aging is governed by organ systems within the body.

Focuses on knowledge geneticists are gaining from the study of captive and wild cheetahs. Discovery of abnormal sperm cells in cheetahs from Africa; Use of gel electrophoresis to test blood proteins in order to determine genetic differences in cheetahs; Lack of genetic diversity in cheetah populations; Causes of genetic invariability.

Discusses a primate research center in North Carolina run by Duke University. Population which mostly consists of lemurs; Duke University Center for Study of Primate Biology and History; Observation of maternal status in the social groups; Lemurs which are diurnal; Photographs of various species of prosimians.

Describes technology available to biologists for tracking animals. Software used by Bill Seegar of the Edgewood Research, Development and Engineering Center, Aberdeen, Maryland, to track peregrine falcons; Use of miniature radio transmitters; Prospects for telemetry; Tracking birds with Doppler radar; Use of a sound surveillance system to track whales; Costs and benefits.

Presents an overview of the sea otter. Where they can be found; Reasons why they are on the threatened species list; Use of relocation to increase their numbers; Effect of the Exxon Valdez oil spill on sea otters; How and what they eat.

Reports on research conducted on the behaviors and societies of lion tamarins, a species of monkey with brilliant colors, lionlike manes and playful antics. Differences in research on animals in captivity and animals in their natural habitat; Conservation efforts concerning tamarins; Populations and ranges; Types of lion tamarins including golden, black, black-faced and golden-headed; Questions about whether the types are separate species or subspecies.

Profiles the changing face of the Sonoran Desert in the southwestern United States, and how it affects the animal and plant communities there. The dynamic nature of these communities; Features of this desert; View of some wildlife biologists that the desert is becoming warmer; The role of habitat in subspecies' behavior.

Reports that the United States Department of Defense (DOD) is in charge of managing over 25 million acres of land nationwide. Other departments that manages land; What large amounts of land are needed by the DOD for; Limited public assess on military bases; What DOD's biologists concentrate on.