Nov 10, 2013
White-headed Woodpecker (Picoides albolarvatus)
This article was originally published by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife as part of its annual report Threatened and Endangered Wildlife in Washington.
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Mar 06, 2018
Sewage treatment plant in Olympia a leader in nitrogen removal
A regional sewage-treatment system in Thurston County has helped contain low-oxygen problems in Budd Inlet as the population continues to grow. The system cleans up some of the effluent for replenishing groundwater supplies.
Aug 04, 2023
Dispatch from the last colony
Tufted puffins have become an increasingly rare sight in the Pacific Northwest. Biologist and writer Eric Wagner recently visited Puget Sound's Smith Island, home to one of the region's last surviving colonies of these colorful seabirds.
Oct 01, 2011
7. Specificity and Sensitivity of Indicators
Long lists of indicators can present challenges for drawing inference about overall ecosystem status. A useful way to interpret lists of indicators in aggregate focuses on one of the primary considerations in the set of evaluation criteria introduced above, “the indicator responds predictably and is sufficiently sensitive to a specific ecosystem attribute.” Two of the terms in this ...
Jan 29, 2015
Climate change vulnerability and adaptation in the North Cascades Region, Washington
A 2014 report by the North Cascadia Adaptation Partnership identifies climate change issues relevant to resource management in the North Cascades, and recommends solutions that will facilitate the transition of the diverse ecosystems of this region into a warmer climate.
Mar 03, 2015
Living in the fast lane: rapid development of the locomotor muscle in immature harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena)
A study in the Journal of Comparative Physiology shows that muscle development necessary for diving can take several years to mature in harbor porpoises. Scientists argue that this may make immature harbor porpoises more vulnerable than adults to impacts from boat traffic or other disturbances.
Oct 05, 2011
1. Ecosystem reference levels: how do we know when EBM has succeeded?
Ocean stewardship is not simple. Rather than maintaining piecemeal efforts, scientists, managers, conservationists, and policymakers have agreed that restoration and protection of the oceans will require a more integrated approach (National Marine Fisheries Service 2008, Karr 1992, Pauly 1995). A unified appeal for marine ecosystem-based management (EBM) has made the task of develop...
Apr 22, 2024
Will these gentle giants return to the Salish Sea?
A shark species the length of a bus was once common in the Salish Sea. Then it was labeled a "destructive pest" and nearly wiped out. Can the gentle and often misunderstood basking shark make a comeback?
Jun 18, 2012
King County subalpine and alpine habitat
Except for a very small area in the SE corner of the County, the subalpine and alpine habitats are located in the North Cascades Ecoregion that occupies the NE quarter of King County. This ecoregion is composed of steeply dissected valleys that rise precipitously to the subalpine (montane) forests, meadows, and parklands and, in a short distance more, to the alpine ridges and peaks of...
Nov 08, 2016
New law will increase testing of chemicals
New federal legislation, approved overwhelmingly by the U.S. Congress in December 2015 and signed into law by President Obama in June 2016, is designed to make sure that people and the environment are not harmed by new and old chemicals on the market.
