Publications by Joanna Woerner

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.

Tropical Connections: South Florida's marine environment

Kruczynski WL and Fletcher PJ ·
2 July 2012

This book summarizes information on the south Florida marine ecosystem in a manner that is easy to read and understand. The book covers physical and biological oceanography, ecology, human impacts, and climate change. This book is unique in that it consists of fact pages that were prepared by 162 experts in their scientific disciplines. Filled with rich graphics and photos, it is appropriate for students, educators, scientists, and stakeholders.

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A Conceptual Basis for Monitoring Vital Signs: Shenandoah National Park (Page 1)

A Conceptual Basis for Monitoring Vital Signs: Shenandoah National Park

Joanna Woerner, Bill Dennison, Melissa Andreychek ·
18 November 2010

As a 200,000-acre natural oasis in the densely populated mid-Atlantic region, Shenandoah National Park is a refuge for both wildlife and people. This booklet illustrates the unique natural resources in the park and demonstrates the need for natural resource monitoring. It also explores the natural processes and human-caused activities that pose a threat to park ecosystems, and investigates the selection of vital signs—indicators of natural resource conditions.

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Integrating and Applying Science: A handbook for effective coastal  ecosystem assessment (Page 1)

Integrating and Applying Science: A handbook for effective coastal ecosystem assessment

Longstaff BJ, Carruthers TJB, Dennison WC, Lookingbill TR, Hawkey JM, Thomas JE, Wicks EC, Woerner J ·
10 May 2010

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.

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Chapter 3: Communication products: creating a process for generating science communication products

Thomas JE, Hawkey JM, Jones AB, Wicks EC, and Woerner JL ·
2010

This chapter discusses how to create the physical communication products needed to broadcast the messages within a communication strategy (see Chapter 4). To determine the kind of product needed, several different elements should be considered, including the background of the audience, the size of the audience, and the amount of time available to produce the product. The products discussed are conceptual diagrams, newsletters, presentations, websites, posters, and books.

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Chapter 6: Ecological report cards: integrating indicators into report cards

Williams MR, Longstaff BJ, Wicks EC, Carruthers TJB, and Florkowski LN ·
2010

This chapter continues the discussion of ecological indicators but with the specific application of producing ecological report cards. It explains the reasons for producing report cards, the steps to produce indicators based on ecological thresholds, and the process of combining indicators into overarching indices. Ecological report cards, like the indicators that they are based on, are one of the most important products for directing data collection and analysis.

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Chapter 7: Ecological forecasts: building a predictive capacity to guide management

Jasinski DA, Longstaff BJ, and Wicks EC ·
2010

This chapter provides an overview of the process of developing, producing, and releasing an ecological forecast, which is supported by statistical analysis and models that underpin forecasts (see Chapters 8 and 9). Areas discussed in this chapter include why you may consider conducting ecological forecasting, some of the essential elements of a forecasting program, and some of the challenges you may face.

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Integrating and Applying Science: A practical handbook for effective coastal ecosystem assessment

Longstaff BJ, Carruthers TJB, Dennison WC, Lookingbill TR, Hawkey JM, Thomas JE, Wicks EC, and Woerner JL (eds) ·
2010

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. Regardless of the differences between cultures, climate regions, and population pressures, integrated management and assessment is required to solve coastal environmental problems.

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Enclosed Experimental Ecosystems and Scale: Tools for Understanding and Managing Coastal Ecosystems

Petersen JE, Kennedy VS, Dennison WC and Kemp WM (Eds.) ·
2 March 2009

The environmental challenges now facing humanity are particularly acute in the coastal zone. Research in this region and in other aquatic ecosystems is complicated by interactions that occur over broad scales of time, space, and ecological complexity. Enclosed experimental ecosystems have become critical research tools because they provide a degree of control not achievable through field experiments.

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