The Integration and Application Network (IAN) is a dedicated group of scientists intent on solving, not just studying environmental problems. IAN and 
strive to inspire, manage and produce timely syntheses and assessments on key environmental issues, with a special emphasis on Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. IAN is an initiative of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, but links with other academic institutions, resource management agencies and non-governmental organizations.
Latest Online Seminar
Challenges and advantages of using citizen scientists for environmental monitoring (abstract)
Bill Dennison (IAN, UMCES)
This seminar is now available for viewing in a video and PDF (slides only) formats from the IAN Seminar Series website, along with further details and other seminars in the series. For those of you who are too busy to watch the webcasts, we also have a Podcast (mp3, audio only version) so you can listen to the seminars during your daily commute.
Latest Images - Free High Resolution Image LibraryA collection of 5398 free high resolution images (photos, illustrations, maps, satellite images) and videos for scientists, resource managers, community groups, and environmentalists. Download for free, or contribute your own images to help grow this resource.
Latest newsletter
Nitrogen in the Chesapeake Bay: A Retrospective
Nitrogen pollution has been a primary cause of a degraded Chesapeake Bay ecosystem for over a century. Since the Clean Water Act of 1972, Bay monitoring programs have measured the amount of nitrogen coming from human activities and on land (urban, suburban, rural, and industrial) and from natural cycling in the water column. This information is used to evaluate management actions for nutrient reduction. This newsletter summarizes monitoring data and describes nitrogen trends in both the non-tidal and tidal areas of the Chesapeake Bay.
Latest IAN Blog Post
Discussion following Walter Boynton's seminar on Where has all the nitrogen gone? Hot spots in the land and seascape
This blog post discusses the seminar given by Walter Boynton of the Chesapeake Biological Laboratory, at the IAN Seminar Series on July 29, 2010.
The discussion focused on the bioavailability of nitrogen in its different forms. The dissolved inorganic nitrogen forms (e.g., nitrate and ammonium) were contrasted with dissolved organic nitrogen and particulate nitrogen. It is recognized that some fraction of dissolved organic nitrogen is bioavailable, but generally is not as immediately available as inorganic forms. Particulate nitrogen is only available for uptake by phytoplankton after decomposition.
Latest IAN Peer Reviewed Papers - UMCES Publications DatabaseA searchable database of 3812 publications by scientists at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.Long-Term Trends in Submersed Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) in Chesapeake Bay, USA, Related to Water Quality (2010) Estuaries Coasts (abstract)
Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) [delta]15N as a bioindicator of nitrogen sources: Observations and modeling (2010) Mar. Poll. Bull. (abstract)
Chapter 11: Program design: developing a comprehensive data strategy (2010) Integrating and Applying Science: A handbook for effective coastal ecosystem assessment (abstract)
Chapter 10: Spatial analysis: Making maps and using spatial analyses (2010) Integrating and Applying Science: A handbook for effective coastal ecosystem assessment (abstract)
Latest report
2010 Chesapeake Bay Forecast
This summer it is predicted that the anoxic condition (no dissolved oxygen) in the Bay's mainstem will be moderately poor, with the average anoxic volume forecast to be 0.8 ± 0.3 km3. Compared to the previous 25 summers, 2010 could have the 5th smallest anoxic volume if this prediction holds true.
Latest Report Card
2009 Chester River Report Card
This report card summarizes 2009 water quality results, which are based on data collected by the Chester River Association and various partners. It helps to clarify the Chester River's health in both tidal and non-tidal regions, and provides information on what individuals can do to help improve water quality.
Latest presentation
Proposal writing: A key to success
This presentation details the key elements of successful proposals. It provides simple techniques to improve your proposal writing, including thought development, the iterative process, reviewing the appropriate literature, explicitly stating the hypotheses and the zen of proposal writing. There is also a video version of Bill presenting this available on our blog.
Latest book
Integrating and Applying Science: A handbook for effective coastal ecosystem assessment
Vast areas of the globe's coastal zone have experienced significant declines in ecosystem health. Deteriorating water quality, loss and alteration of vital habitats, and reduced populations of fish and shellfish are some of the major changes recorded. Establishing and running an effective assessment program is a complex process that necessitates strategic collaboration and partnerships between many individuals and agencies. This book was written to make the process of running a coastal assessment program easier and the outcomes more effective. It provides a step-by-step approach from data collection and information management to synthesis and application and draws on the knowledge of a variety of coastal scientists and managers.
Latest brochure
Harmful Algae Impacts the Coast of Florida
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have increased in abundance and severity around the world in recent decades. Among coastal HABs, benthic cyanobacteria blooms, particularly Lyngbya spp., are becoming more numerous and persistent in tropical and subtropical environments. These species have become increasingly problematic in the near-shore waters of Florida, and it has been suggested that this may be in part caused by nutrient enrichment resulting from highly developed coastal habitats. Both climate change and anthropogenically derived nutrients provide the potential for increases in these nuisance blooms. This fact sheet targets the general public, summarizing the findings of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Ecology of Harmful Algae Bloom Program (NOAA-ECOHAB) funded study.
Latest poster
The legacy of Kalaupapa National Historical Park
The intertwined cultural and natural history of the National Park Service (NPS) Kalaupapa National Historical Park (KALA) on the Hawaiian island of Molokai is represented in this poster intended for local and visitor audiences. For more than one hundred years, Hansen's disease (leprosy) patients were forced into exile on this remote peninsula. The unique native plants and animals found here are challenged by invasive species, overfishing, pollution, and climate change.
Free Vector Symbol LibrariesThe IAN symbol libraries contain over 1500 custom made vector symbols (in 32 categories) designed specifically for enhancing science communication skills. Also includes 100+ custom swatches, ecosystem landscape diagrams, interactive multimedia tutorial, PDF index of all symbols, EPS & SVG versions for non-Illustrator users, symbol creation service, symbol contributions forum, discussion forum, instructional movie, and example publications.
