Foundations of Life Science: Energy, Ecology, & Global Change

In this short article from National Wildlife magazine, biologist E.O. Wilson argues for preserving biodiversity and identifies how human activities have hastened the decline of species.

This article discusses the important contribution of gray wolves, a keystone species in much of North America, to the overall health of North American ecosystems. It suggests that they should be reintroduced not only in places where large populations are sustainable but also in areas where only small populations are viable.

This article summarizes the varying species concepts favored by scientists and the strengths and weaknesses of each. It prompts one to think critically about the actual meaning of a common term, "species," the complexity of biological classification, and the impact of that classification on conservation decisions.

This article, from BioScience Journal, explains the field of Conservation Science and discusses the importance of a global, interdisciplinary perspective of biodiversity and conservation.

This is a network of 120 weather-monitoring stations in Oklahoma set up by OU and OSU. Data is sent from each station at five-minute intervals and verified by university scientists.

This site provides information about invasive plant species in Oklahoma.

This site includes information about water quality, water conservation, flood and drought monitoring, water quality, and dam safety.

This site provides information about animal and plant biodiversity in Oklahoma.

These fact sheets provide descriptions of ecology issues in Oklahoma and practical ways farmers, landowners, and residents can respond.

This site, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides information about the endangered species in the United States, their legal protection, conservation programs and ways that landowners can help conserve species.

NOAA is a U.S. Government Agency that oversees research and communicates information about weather, climate, fisheries, oceans, coastlines, and other environmental concerns.

The EPA is a U.S. Government Agency that oversees environmental regulation. It makes regulations and enforces laws that cover a variety of environmental issues, including pollution, hazardous waste, energy sources, sustainable practices, and climate change.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration provides statistics and information about energy sources and use in the United States.

This site, by the United States Department of Agriculture, contains information about invasive species across the U.S.

This site by the Environmental Protection Agency provides information about U.S. Superfund sites, which are sites with hazardous waste contamination. Superfund sites are priorities for EPA cleanup efforts. Click "final sites" to see a state-by-state list.

The USGS is a government agency that collects and disseminates information about the environment.

Virginia Tech Professor Marc Edwards led a study that showed there were elevated lead levels in Flint, Michigan's drinking water, contradicting government claims that the water was fine. Edwards' efforts demonstrate the persistence and commitment to truth that good scientists have.

Edwards, in this interview with the Chronicle of Higher Education, warns that scientists, due to conflicts of interest and over-reliance on government funding, can be unwilling to criticize claims by government scientific agencies. He is naturally rather jaded, but the Flint crisis really does illustrate what can happen when scientists fail the public. Edwards notes, " Science should be about pursuing the truth and helping people. If you’re doing it for any other reason, you really ought to question your motives."

This article, by researchers from Hurley Children’s Hospital and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, compares Flint children's blood lead levels before and after the water supply switch to show that changing the water supply caused a spike in blood lead levels.