Genes to Ecosystems

April 1st, 2009 - March 31st, 2012 | PROJECT

"Genes to Ecosystems" is a Communicating Research to Public Audiences (CRPA) proposal based upon the Dr. Thomas Whitham's NSF funded research (#0425908 "Frontiers in Integrative Biological Research (FBIR): Ecological Genomics and Heritability: Consequences of Extended Phenotypes"). "Genes to Ecosystems" has two main educational objectives: to introduce a wide sector of the public to new ways of looking at ecosystems, and to show how science happens, with practical outcomes that are meaningful to the public. The CRPA request will support the production of a one-hour documentary film, podcasts, a stand-alone DVD, and radio segments for "Earth Notes." These deliverables are targeted to informal learners and public television viewers in the western United States. The documentary will follow a research project begun in 1982 which demonstrates how genetic variation within a foundation species--in this case cottonwood trees--impacts community members ranging from microbes to mega-fauna. The concept of genes-to-ecosystems has introduced new ways of understanding ecosystems which have practical implications for conserving biodiversity, ecological restoration, coping with climate change, and other public policy issues. The project will be managed by the PI, Dr. Thomas Whitham, and co-PI, Daniel Boone, both at Northern Arizona University.

Project Website(s)

(no project website provided)

Team Members

Thomas Whitham, Principal Investigator, Northern Arizona University
Daniel Boone, Co-Principal Investigator, Northern Arizona University

Funders

Funding Source: NSF
Funding Program: ISE/AISL
Award Number: 0836362
Funding Amount: 75000

Tags

Audience: General Public | Museum | ISE Professionals
Discipline: Climate | Ecology | forestry | agriculture | History | policy | law | Life science | Nature of science
Resource Type: Project Descriptions
Environment Type: Broadcast Media | Media and Technology | Websites | Mobile Apps | Online Media