The National Marine Sanctuary Program identifies, designates and manages areas of the marine environment of special national significance due to their conservation, recreational, ecological, historical, research, educational, or aesthetic qualities. Access information and pictures of marine sanctuaries all over the U.S. and its territories. Discover ways to get involved with the sanctuary program, ... Full description.

These lesson plans in life sciences, physical science, chemistry and engineering link to projects of NOAA's Aquarius undersea research station. Topics include the: impacts of buoyancy, pressure and light on underwater research; effects of physical oceanography on coral reefs; effects of water temperature on the coral/zooxanthellae symbiosis; engineering of AUVs; fish survey techniques; chemical ecology; ... Full description.

Developed and maintained by the Jason Education Project at the Texas A&M University, this comprehensive site has educational information and activities on weather, foraminifera, coral reefs, satellites, El Nino, ice ages, fisheries, waves, icebergs and currents. A wealth of student and educator resources is available. Teacher resources include a crash-course in oceanography, a section on using ... Full description.

Lesson plan defines dichotomous key and its role in classification. Students learn how to make a key and identify important organisms from a biofilm community in Chesapeake Bay. An interactive, online key with photos and species profiles challenges students to identify 8 invertebrates and an interactive quiz helps them test their understanding. Designed for use with the MD Sea Grant "Biofilms & ... Full description.

Published in April, August, and December each year, the CJS publishes articles, research notes, and book reviews pertinent to the Caribbean region. The emphasis is on botany, zoology, ecology, conservation biology and management, geology, archeology, and paleontology. Site provides access to archived issues and information on subscriptions, submitting a publication, and obtaining a CD-ROM containing ... Full description.

This site offers excellent information about non-indigenous species invading aquatic ecosystems across the US. Explains terms and issues, reviews impacts of exotic species on the environment and economy, provides case studies. Species profiles for invasive plants, invertebrates and vertebrates contain photos, descriptions, geographical information, controls, education resources and related links. ... Full description.

Comprehensive wetlands information to the general public, the educational community, and government agencies. Though much of the information is California-specific, there is an abundance of location-independent information available. Topics covered include restoration and mitigation, wetlands policy, vernal pools, and the role the state agencies play in wetlands conservation. Site features many links ... Full description.

The benthos is an aggregation of organisms living on or at the bottom of a body of water. The benthic community is composed of a wide range of plants, animals and bacteria from all levels of the food web. Site provides an introduction to the benthos with descriptions of infaunal, epifaunal, and demersal benthic communities. You can also view an illustration of a sample benthic community. Full description.

Provides services and information for coral reef researchers and the public. Site FAQs cover technical background on coral reef biology, ecology, biodiversity, and coral diseases. Other resources: coral literature listings; classroom modules; coral cam on a Caribbean reef. Coral list serve allows discussion between researchers and others interested in coral reefs. Links to Coral Reef Early Warning ... Full description.

South Carolina Aquarium offers K-8 teachers several activities covering habitats (K-2), communities (3-5), and watersheds (6-8). Though focused on South Carolina's aquatic ecosystems, the activities are applicable oustide the state. The site also includes information on applying these activities to before and after visiting an aquarium. All activities may be adjusted for other grade levels. Full description.