WETLAND, FOREST & OTHER BIOMES

BIOMES: "A major community of living or-
ganisms; a complex of climax communities
of plants and animals in a major region."
"A major life zone, biotic formation."
"A major ecological community type."

CAVES, PINE BARRENS,"WASTE PLACES"
Introduces geology and specialized inhabi- tants of caves; N.J. Pine Barrens close to New York; recovery of disturbed areas. 4 pgms. 80 slides. Detailed, interesting texts.
EP #112X SLIDES
$129.95

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SAVE OVER $40.00 ON 4 SLIDE SET BUNDLE ORDER EP #112X.......$129.95
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ECOLOGY OF A LIMESTONE CAVE Order #112...........$42.50

The two major theories of limestone cave formation; cave structures; the three
life zones within a cave; and the special adaptations of the creatures found in each are
presented. Photos include cave formations and an extensive collection of cave residents.
20 slides and detailed guide.

CONTENT SAMPLE: 18358 This tiny bat of eastern North America, only two and one-
half inches long, is among the first to appear in the evening. Sometimes they are even seen flying
around during the day. This is one of the pipistrelles (Pipistrelle subflavus), seen here while
hibernating. They are quite common in woodlands in warm weather, but are encountered in caves
in winter less often than would be expected, given their number. Perhaps they find other places to
hibernate.

Pipistrelles prefer to hibernate in places where the humidity is 100%. As you can see,
they often become coated with tiny droplets of water which condenses on their fur. Spelunkers
who see them often claim to have seen “white bats” in caves; one must look closely to see the
true color of these bats. Pipistrelles are tiny creatures, even for bats, and like the majority of our
species are unable to bite through human skin even if angered.

As we have seen, caves are fascinating places populated with unusual things that have
taken long ages to develop. Like other fragile ecosystems, cave systems too cannot survive
pollution, excessive collecting, or ill considered economic exploitation. It is up to us to see that
these rare, timeless treasures are preserved for future generations.

REVIEWS: "Students should respond enthusiastically with both questions and com-
ments after viewing these slides. The visuals are vivid in detail....The printed narrative is very clear
and informative. Highly recommended." Previews. "...your flora and fauna slides were excellent
and the prepared commentary was superior to any I have seen to date." P.H.D. Dept. of Geology,
Herbert H. Lehman College.
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ECOLOGY OF THE PINE BARRENS Order #108...........$42.50

Currently the focus of much controversy between would-be developers and those
who would leave the region unspoiled, the Pine Barrens of New Jersey is a unique
wilderness area surrounded by megalopolis, blessed with a great variety of plant and
animal life and an incredible amount of fresh, pure water--the equivalent of a lake 75 feet
deep and 1,000 square miles in area. Although unique, the Pine Barrens bear many
similarities to the pinelands near Albany, New York, the ridge tops of Eastern Kentucky,
the Atlantic coastal plains and areas of Cape Cod. Numerous plant and animal species,
both common and rare, are presented. 20 slides and detailed guide.

CONTENT SAMPLE: 17674 North America's only marsupial, the opossum (Didelphus
marsupialis), has proven to be quite adaptable and is well-established in the Pine Barrens. Unlike
most wild creatures, it has managed to extend its range and population despite man's continuing
expansion into the countryside and the destruction of wilderness habitat. The opossum has
steadily moved northward and is now found in many areas where it was previously unknown. A
highly opportunistic omnivore, its success is in large part due to its capacity to eat almost
anything: insects, invertebrates, small animals of all kinds, eggs, fruit and garbage. On this kind
of diet it can find a home almost anywhere.

Opossums prefer wooded areas and nest in hollow trees and logs. They climb and
make use of their prehensile tail in doing so. They are largely nocturnal and can often be spotted
on roads at night as they search for food. They have relatively tiny brains and are not very bright.
As many as 20 young are born in a very undeveloped state about two weeks after mating. At
birth they are smaller than a honeybee--it takes 270 to weigh an ounce. At birth these tiny
creatures must make their way into the mother's pouch and attach themselves to one of her 13
teats in order to survive. These that don't make this attachment die immediately. The survivors
grow 10 times larger during the first week, can leave the pouch briefly when five weeks old, and
leave the pouch permanently when eight weeks old.
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ECOLOGY OF AN ABANDONED RAILROAD Order #111..........$42.50

A region where man attempted to eradicate all life forms--a railroad right of
way--when the forces that have kept it relatively devoid of life have diminished and the life
so long kept at bay is now able to recolonize the area. Details how plants and animals
move in and establish a toehold in "waste" places. Animals pictured include termites,
beetles, frogs, mice and snakes. Plants include moss, lichen, goat's rue and blueberry.
20 slides and guide.

CONTENT SAMPLE: 17593 The nooks and crannies that form as the ties rot collect
moisture, shelter it from the hot sun, and remain damp longer than the surroundings. Thus they
develop into small, specialized habitats and are quickly colonized by plants that can take
advantage of this extra bit of moisture and shelter.

Here we can see how a clump of haircap moss (Polytrichum commune) has developed
in such a hollow. The tips of the moss are brown and shriveled from the hot summer sun, but if
we dug down we would find that the roots that penetrated the tie are moist. The brown moss
tops will become green again when the seasons change, spore capsules will form and eventually
myriad spores will be produced. With luck, a few spores will reach a similar congenial spot and
take hold, continuing the process of colonization.
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ECOLOGY OF AN OLD WOODPILE Order #114.........$42.50

A close look at what is going on in, upon and beneath that old stack of logs.
Provides new insight into the many small lives we disrupt so casually. Includes snails,
slugs, millipede, woodchuck, owl, earthworm, sowbugs, ground beetle, eastern
milksnake, shrew, five-line skink, carpenter ants, robber flies, Indian pipes, chipmunk,
toad, lichen, fungus, and salamander. 20 slides and guide.

CONTENT SAMPLE: 19070 Vigilant watchers of woodpiles and regular predators of
the animals found there, screech owls (Otus asio) are small, arboreal and primarily nocturnal.
More commonly seen in lowlands than in hills, their habitats are many and varied and include
deciduous woods, suburban areas, lake shores and old orchards. During the day screech owls
usually hide in holes or in the darkness provided by thick foliage. If approached, they often
freeze in position, relying upon their cryptic coloration to escape detection.

Screech owls do not make their own nests; instead, they often use those of crows or
other birds of prey. They also nest in holes in trees, in crevices between rocks, or in birdboxes.

A female screech owl, generally larger in body size than her male counterpart, may lay
between three and eight eggs, depending on the availability of food. Only the female incubates
the eggs, but both parents feed the young. During the time when the young are being reared and
extra food is needed, both screech owls may forage both by day and by night. Parent screech
owls are fearless in defending their nests and young, often attacking and pecking humans if they
come too close.

Short-tailed, big-headed birds with large, yellow eyes directed forwards, screech owls
can swivel their heads freely through an arc of about 270°, listening for prey. They feed
exclusively on animals--insects, earthworms, reptiles, birds and small mammals. Small
ground-living rodents such as voles, mice and rats form their principal food, especially during fall
and winter. Prey is generally swallowed whole. Later, indigestible materials such as fur,
feathers and bones are regurgitated in the form of large pellets.

Unlike many birds of prey, screech owls do not migrate; rather, they often spend the
winter months sheltered in flicker holes, hollow trees, and birdboxes. During this time, mice
make up, by far, the greatest part of their diet.

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RELATED PROGRAMS WORTH NOTING
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ECOSYSTEMS TERM TUTOR Order #C-3083P..............$39.95

Concepts from our ECOLOGY programs!

A low cost computer utility to teach fundamentals! Popular word games eliminate
vocabulary drills. Versatile, yet easy to use and incorporates readily into any curriculum,
drawing on a HUGE glossary or your own word lists!

WORD SCAN is an interactive vocabulary-builder that anyone can play, solo or
as a team, to motivate students and enhance memory skills. WORD FIND produces an
infinite number of word puzzles. Program prints key and puzzle singly or as sets.
Because you can customize, programs appeal to all ages. Makes great pop quizzes. An
enormous time saver! Comes with two backups. IBM PC only. (Order #C-3083M for 5.25
disks.)
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~1080-059~ Pipistrelle bat (Pipistrelle subflavus) hibernating. photo by John MacGregor.

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