Story Ideas from the University of Georgia's Savannah River Ecology Laboratory
If you're scrounging for fresh story ideas, call us. Since 1951 the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory has been watching the environment and guarding endangered species. Using technology developed on the Savannah River Site, a nuclear materials processing facility near Aiken, S.C., our scientists have played an active part in helping Chernobyl overcome its nuclear disaster. Others looked even farther and took part in the discovery of signs of life on Mars. Some looked more closely and discovered a new life form right under our noses.
If you want to add depth to your coverage of ecology or Earth Day we invite you to contact us at (803) 725-2473. Researchers engaged in active research at the Savannah River Ecology Lab are available for interviews. A wide selection of photos is also available. Here are just a few ideas:
--The endangered woodstork - The ongoing SREL project concerning woodstorks has met with great success and far exceeded researchers' expectations.
--Where have all the flowers gone? - The management of rare and endangered plants often takes a back seat to more spectacular ecological issues but scientists at SREL are working to keep these endangered species around forever.
--Small spills, large problem - It isn't just large spills that cause oil contamination of the environment. Parking lot runoff and leaking underground storage tanks are chronic problems.
--Global amphibian declines - Recent press reports have brought frogs to the attention of the world as scientists and lay persons alike have noticed both deformities and declining numbers around the world. This is a complex issue requiring a study of some depth such as the longest running study of amphibians taking place on the SRS. Here scientists have tracked amphibian movements daily since 1951 and can speak authoritatively on the subject.
--What are we missing? The recent discovery by two SREL scientists of a new species points to how little we actually know about our environment. Habitat destruction may destroy more than the homes of plants and animals we know. It may also take away the missing links of biodiversity not yet discovered. This interdependence of nature is the delicate balance man must still learn to respect.
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