IAN is committed to producing practical, user-centered communications that foster a better understanding of science and enable readers to pursue new opportunities in research, education, and environmental problem-solving. Our publications synthesize scientific findings using effective science communication techniques.

Megacities in the coastal zone: Using a driver-pressure-state-impact-response framework to address complex environmental problems (Page 1)

Megacities in the coastal zone: Using a driver-pressure-state-impact-response framework to address complex environmental problems

Sekovski I, Newton A, and Dennison WC ·
2012

The purpose of this study was to elaborate on the role of coastal megacities in environmental degradation and their contribution to global climate change. Although only less than 4 percent of the total world's population resides in coastal megacities, their impact on environment is significant due to their rapid development, high population densities and high consumption rate of their residents.

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Swine waste as a source of natural products: A carotenoid antioxidant (Page 1)

Swine waste as a source of natural products: A carotenoid antioxidant

Cahoon LB, Halkides CJ, Song B, Williams CM, Dubay GR, Fries AS, Farmer J, Fridrich W, and Brookshire C ·
2012

Development of Environmentally Superior Technologies for swine waste management has focused on extraction of products with relatively low unit values. Analyses of the bacterial composition of swine waste lagoon samples confirmed the presence of several purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB) species known to produce a variety of carotenoids. We examined a carotenoid naturally abundant in North Carolina swine waste lagoons dominated by PNSB.

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The coastal syndromes and hotspots on the coast (Page 1)

The coastal syndromes and hotspots on the coast

Newton A, Carruthers TJB, and Icely J ·
2012

Human intervention has resulted in a number of global and river syndromes that are mirrored by coastal syndromes caused by erosion, subsidence, salinization of aquifers, urbanization, eutrophication, invasive species and over exploitation of natural resources. These problems are now global, with few coastal zones remaining unaffected and pristine. However, the problems are particularly severe at "hotspots" in the coastal zone.

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Timing of climate variability and grassland productivity

Craine JM, Nippert JB, Elmore AJ, Skibbe AM, Hutchinson SL, and Brunsell NA ·
2012

Future climates are forecast to include greater precipitation variability and more frequent heat waves, but the degree to which the timing of climate variability impacts ecosystems is uncertain. In a temperate, humid grassland, we examined the seasonal impacts of climate variability on 27 y of grass productivity. Drought and high-intensity precipitation reduced grass productivity only during a 110-d period, whereas high temperatures reduced productivity only during 25 d in July.

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Baltimore Harbor's Ecological and Human Health: 2010

Caroline Donovan, Heath Kelsey, Sara Powell ·
14 December 2011

To help lead private citizens, government, and businesses toward a healthy Baltimore Harbor, the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore needed to know the current health of the Harbor and its watershed. Using six ecological indicators and three human indicators, the current health of Baltimore's Harbor was established. This newsletter provides the overall results of the full report.

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A vision for the Gulf of Mexico Report Card (Page 1)

A vision for the Gulf of Mexico Report Card

McKinney L, Tunnell W, Harwell M, Gentile J, Dennison WC, Kelsey RH, Thomas JE ·
7 December 2011

The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, has partnered with IAN and Harwell Gentile & Associates, LC, to develop a vision for a report card on the health of the Gulf of Mexico. The report card will be a graphical representation of the environmental condition of the Gulf that is scientifically based, widely accessible, and readily understandable by policy-makers, stakeholders, scientists, and, most importantly, the general public.

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2011 Sassafras River Report Card (Page 1)

2011 Sassafras River Report Card

5 December 2011

The 2011 Sassafras River Report Card describes the health of the Sassafras River in the upper eastern area of the Chesapeake Bay. It evaluates six tidal indicators and six non-tidal indicators. The Lower Estuary scored a B, the Upper Estuary a C, and the Creeks (non-tidal) a C.

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Healthy Darwin Harbour: Pathways and Partnerships (Page 1)

Healthy Darwin Harbour: Pathways and Partnerships

Bill Dennison, Jane Thomas ·
9 November 2011

Darwin Harbour is globally significant as a tropical, macrotidal, monsoonal harbour that is generally in very good condition. There are major development proposals for Darwin Harbour, including significant plans for population growth, industrial expansion and resource processing infrastructure, and consequent increases in shipping and dredging. These developments pose risks for the natural, cultural, aesthetic and recreational values of the Harbour, which need to be managed.

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Gulf of Mexico Report Card Initiative (Page 1)

Gulf of Mexico Report Card Initiative

McKinney L, Tunnell W, Harwell M, Gentile J, Kelsey RH and Dennison, WC ·
13 September 2011

The Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, along with its partners Harwell Gentile & Associates, LC, and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, proposes to develop a comprehensive framework for a Report Card on the health of the Gulf of Mexico.

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