Biology Reference Libraries

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a highly technical field like genetic engineering can be a beacon of stability and growth in today’s slumping job market. Genetic engineers, or biomedical engineers, are expected to see their career prospects grow as new technological advances drive an ever greater demand for individuals to specialize in this field. The National Human Genome...

Edmontosaurus is a genus of a crestless hadrosaurid, meaning duck-billed, dinosaur. It includes two species: Edmontosaurus regalis and Edmontosaurus annectens. Fossils of E. regalis have been recovered in rocks of western North America that date from the late Campanian stage of the Cretaceous Period 73 million years ago, while those of E. annectens were recovered in the same geographic region...

Perennial plants live for two years or more. Perennials differ from annuals and biennials with annuals replanted every year and biennials every other year. Perennial’s that bloom during spring and summer will die back in autumn, rest during the winter, then re-grow the following spring from the existing root-stock; these are also known as deciduous perennials. If the climate is continually...

Biennial plants have a two year life cycle; roots, stems and leaves in the first year with flowers following the next year after a cold winter dormant period. Biennials will produce seed and fruit before dying. There are not as many biennial plants as there are perennials or annuals. Biennial plants, when exposed to extreme climate conditions, may have a shortened life cycle of a few months...

Annuals are plants that flower and/or set fruit in one growing season. Most vegetables are annuals as well as domesticated grains. Vegetables such as carrot and celery are biennials grown as an annual whereas tomato and bell pepper are perennials and grown as an annual. Annuals grow well mixed in with perennials and biennials. There are also ornamental flowers that are perennials in one region...

The Rosy feather star is a species of starfish in the Antedonidae family. It is found in North West Europe along the coast. The specific area of the coast is between the Shetland Islands south to Portugal. There have been sightings in Algeria, Tunisia, West Africa and Venezuela. The Western and Eastern coasts of the British Isles has a climate that promotes the growth of the Antedon bifida. It...

The Lesser Frigatebird (Fregata ariel) is a species of frigate bird. In nests in Australia, along with other locations. There is a single recording from the Western Palearctic, from Eilat in the Gulf of Aqaba. The Lesser Frigatebird or Least Frigatebird is said to be the most common and widespread frigate bird in the Australian seas. It’s common in tropical seas breeding on isolated...

Rainforests are forests that are characterized by high levels of rainfall, with definitions based on a minimum usual annual rainfall of about 68 to 78 inches. The monsoon trough, or otherwise known as the intertropical convergence zone, holds an important role in producing the climatic conditions that are essential for the Earth’s tropical rainforests. About 40 to 75 percent of all biotic...

Kelp forests are areas that are underwater with a high density of kelp. They’re recognized as one of the most dynamic and productive ecosystems on Earth. Smaller regions of anchored kelp are known as kelp beds. Kelp forests can be found worldwide throughout polar and temperate coastal oceans. In the year 2007, kelp forests were discovered in tropical waters near Ecuador as well. While...

Aquascaping is the art of arranging aquatic plants along with rocks, cavework, stones, or driftwood, in an aesthetically pleasing manner within an aquarium. Aquascape designs incorporate numerous distinctive styles. Usually, an aquascape houses fish as well as plants, although it’s possible to produce an aquascape with solely plants, or with rockwork or other hardscape and no plants. Even...