The Integration and Application Network (IAN) is a collection of scientists working to solve, not just study environmental problems. The intent of IAN and 
is 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 Images - Free High Resolution Image LibraryA collection of 3956 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 photos to help grow this resource.
Latest IAN Blog Post
Science communication in southern Maine
Single digit temperatures, predictions of snow, and a six-inch blanket of the white stuff already on the ground seemed like a chilly proposition to Emily Nauman and me, Joanna Woerner, both Maryland Easternshorers who are acclimated to mild winters. However, as IAN Science Communicators we were eager to brave old man winter in order to present a Communicating Science Effectively course at the University of New England in Biddeford, Maine. Happily, the freezing temperatures were warmed by enthusiastic participants, intense brainstorming sessions, and a chance to reconnect with one of the founders of our profession, Rachel Carson.
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.
Latest brochure
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
A National Park Service (NPS) Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park (HAVO) interpretive flyer designed for island residents (Kama'aina) visiting the newly acquired Kahuku area of the Park to educate them about the threat of invasive species.
Latest presentation
Closing the coastal charisma gap: how to integrate seagrasses into the public dialog on coastal ecosystems
In a comparison between seagrasses, salt marshes, mangrove forests and coral reefs, the ratio of popular media reports to scientific publication rates of seagrasses were much lower than other coastal habitats. To overcome the lack of "charisma" for seagrass ecosystems, a concerted dissemination strategy aimed at the popular media is required. The seagrass literature of peer reviewed publications and books has historically been targeted toward other seagrass researchers. In order to reach out beyond this small demographic, publications aimed at non-seagrass scientists need to be generated. In addition, scientific publications about seagrasses could be targeted to non-seagrass scientists, providing more awareness within the scientific community.
Latest IAN Peer Reviewed Papers - UMCES Publications DatabaseA searchable database of 3568 publications by scientists at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science.Multiple-pattern parameter identification and uncertainty analysis approach for water quality modeling (2009) Ecol. Model. (abstract)
Altered ecological flows blur boundaries in urbanizing watersheds (2009) Ecol. Soc. (abstract)
Learning about Coastal Trends: what is the story with seagrasses... and how does it affect me? (2009) Science Activities (abstract)
Accelerating loss of seagrasses across the globe threatens coastal ecosystems (2009) PNAS (abstract)
Latest report
2009 Chesapeake Bay Summer Review
Low winter and spring Susquehanna flow and loads led scientists to forecast smaller-than-average anoxia and hypoxia for 2009 summer season. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) were also forecasted to be less severe than usual, but still present. However, observed summer conditions were worse than what was predicted, due to higher precipitation amounts in Maryland and Virginia tributary watersheds compared to the Susquehanna River watershed, which falls mainly in Pennsylvania. HABs in the Bay were average this year, but interestingly, there was a large macroalgal bloom in Tangier Sound. Here we summarize summer conditions and offer some explanations as to why they may have occurred.
Latest newsletter
Toxic cyanobacteria blooms degrade ecosystem in coastal 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 newsletter summarizes the findings of a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Ecology of Harmful Algae Bloom Program (NOAA-ECOHAB) funded study.
Latest book
Shifting Sands: Environmental and cultural change in Maryland's Coastal Bays
Referring to both the dynamic nature of the barrier islands forming the coastal lagoons of Maryland’s Atlantic Ocean coastline and also the changing cultural landscape, Shifting Sands is a richly illustrated, multi-authored introduction to Assawoman Bay, Isle of Wight Bay, St. Martin River, Sinepuxent Bay, Newport Bay, and Chincoteague Bay. This book leads the reader on a voyage of discovery, providing a user-friendly guide to the history, setting, context, and ecology of these waterways nestled behind Assateague, Fenwick, and Chincoteague Islands. Photographs, conceptual diagrams, maps, and graphs are used to showcase the key features of and major threats to these magnificent bays, watersheds, and islands, with recommendations for how to preserve them for future generations.
Latest Report Card
2008 Coastal Bays report card
This report card provides a transparent, timely, and geographically detailed assessment of 2008 Coastal Bays’ health. Prepared annually, the report card rates six reporting regions of the Coastal Bays, using six indicators combined into a single overarching index of health. Health is defined as progress towards established scientifically derived ecological thresholds or goals. The overall health of Coastal Bays was moderate in 2008, obtaining a grade of C+. The report card website enables you to explore the report card in more detail via the regions and indicators.
Latest Online Seminar
Biological response to ecosystem change in the northern Bering and Chukchi Seas (abstract)
Jacqueline Grebmeier (UMCES CBL)
This seminar is now available for viewing in a flash multimedia (slides and audio) and PDF (slides only) formats from the Chesapeake Bay 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.
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.
