Ecosystems are the combination and interaction of the plants, animals, minerals, and people in any given area of the Earth. A small creek, a single sand dune, or a tiny patch of wetland is an ecosystem. Ecosystems are also forests covering thousands of acres, a major river system, a sea. Since the UW was founded over 100 years ago our faculty have made crucial contributions in biology, forest resources and aquatic and fishery sciences - helping us see how ecosystems evolve and change, and how humans affect these processes. Just as importantly, UW scientists are using this knowledge to develop tools for conserving and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity, both in the Northwest and around the world.

Explore the following for examples of our work.

Restoration Ecology Network - Student teams lead restoration projects around the Puget Sound, from the conversion of a gravel pit to a wildlife forage area to the restoration of various city parks and school grounds.

Urban Ecology Project - The central Puget Sound area is growing at a rapid pace, and every new home, building and structure is being built under the watchful eye of the Urban Ecology Project.