Subject: UCSB Biodiversity Forum

Biodiversity Forum, a National Science Foundation-funded site for people
to express and exchange views on biodiversity loss and conservation, is
now online at http://real.geog.ucsb.edu/bioforum. We invite all members
of sci.bio.ecology to participate. Everyone has something important to
add; we want to make sure that the full range of perspectives on
biodiversity loss and conservation is heard.

Biodiversity Forum is a World-Wide Web-based forum designed for people
to express and exchange views on topics related to biodiversity loss and
conservation. It is designed to serve three complementary objectives:

 Public exchange of opinions related to biodiversity loss and
conservation
 Public education about current issues related to biodiversity loss and
conservation
 Social science research on public perception of biodiversity loss and
conservation

Biodiversity Forum is open for all members of the public to register and
participate in our discussions. Currently, these discussions focus on
two case studies:

 Management of exotic (non-native) plant and animal species introduced
by humans. Case study material is drawn from Channel Islands National
Park, where some exotic animals and plants have had considerable impacts
on the islands' biodiversity.

 The role of natural disturbances such as fire. Case study material is
drawn from Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park and Sequoia National
Forest, where over a century of fire suppression has impeded giant
sequoia regeneration and created tremendous wildfire hazards in some
giant sequoia groves.

The number of case studies and discussions will grow with time as we
receive more public participation.

For further details, please consult our website at
http://real.geog.ucsb.edu/bioforum. or send us e-mail at
webforum@geog.ucsb.edu. You may also contact Prof. Proctor directly at
805-893-8741 or email him at jproctor@geog.ucsb.edu.


Thank you very much for your assistance.

Sincerely,

David Piasecki - Web Forum Assistant