UC Natural Reserve System lands are home to dozens of vulnerable animal and plant species. These range from some of the state's rarest amphibians to endemic plants to icons of the West such as bighorn sheep. Studies conducted at the 39 reserves of the NRS informs how these species are managed, which helps preserve the Golden State's extraordinary biological diversity. Scientists "can work in protected areas that allow them to follow the biology and the ecosystem dynamics of these rare and...

Explore how a species of Scrub Jay, the Island Scrub Jay, is expanding oak forests on Santa Cruz Island, helping to recover natural habitat on California's Channel Islands. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 31252]

California Ecology and Conservation brings together 27 students from across the UC system for seven weeks of intensive learning at NRS reserves. Guided by experienced field instructors, undergraduates transform into scientists by conducting independent research studies. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 30875]

Explore how the the nature of highly seasonal rainfall cycles and periodic fires create conditions that have shaped Mediterranean climate ecosystems and all that lives within these very special regions. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 24605]

The climate of Mediterranean Climate Ecosystems is largely driven by different processes in nearby coastal oceans. Atmospheric processes over the oceans influence seasonal rainfall patterns, while currents and ocean temperatures affect both local and regional climate conditions - understanding these are key to understanding Mediterranean-type ecosystems. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 24604]

Great weather, abundant harvests, fabulous food, some of the world’s most cosmopolitan, and romantic, cities – as well as the world’s most critical biodiversity hotspots -- make up what are known as Mediterranean-climate Ecosystems. This episode of the six-part series explores how geology has shaped life in Mediterranean climate ecosystems. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 24603]

Great weather, abundant harvests, fabulous food, some of the world’s most cosmopolitan, and romantic, cities – as well as the world’s most critical biodiversity hotspots -- make up what are known as Mediterranean-climate Ecosystems. With this program, UCTV and the UC Natural Reserve System inaugurate a six-part series that will be unveiled in spring 2013 on UCTV Prime. The introductory program offers an overview the world’s Mediterranean-climate zones, pointing out their similarities, unique...

Take a journey to two of the UC Natural Reserve Systems’ reserves in southern California, the James San Jacinto Mountains Reserve and Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 24031]

Modeling climate change and how fast species will have to move to endure changes in climate. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 21292]

Studying the reproductive ecology of Valley Oaks in California. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 21297]

Studying the Acorn Woodpecker and its relation to the life of Oak trees in California Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 21295]

The student experience of field study at Hastings Reserve Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 21293]

Research into the relationship of acorn woodpeckers to the life of oak trees at the University of California’s Hastings natural reserve. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 21394]

Studying long term changes in grassland species composition at The University of California’s Hastings Reserve for developing native species conservation programs Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 21290]

Studying cooperative behaviors in bluebirds at The University of California’s Hastings reserve, and the implications the research has for understanding cooperative behaviors in the animal kingdom Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 21291]

What the evidence organisms leave behind tells us about their activities at the University of California’s Fort Ord natural reserve. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 21393]

Studying the mysteries of mating in the Black Widow Spider Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 21294]

Taking the pulse of California’s natural systems by studying real-time microclimate observations. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 21298]

The variety of field work conducted at the University of California’s Hastings Reserve Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 21296]

The UC Natural Reserve System's Angelo Coast Range Reserve in Mendocino County has become the focus of a number of national climate change research efforts. Learn how multi-disciplinary teams of scientists, equipped with advanced technologies, are deepening our understanding of the environment and how it is responding to the rapid warming of our planet. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 16585]

The University of California's White Mountain Research Station provides science unprecedented access to unique environments, environments where life exists at the edge of extremes. This award- winning documentary weaves a story of how this unique access is yielding an understanding of change, from physiology to climate, from the oldest known living organism, to a short-lived beetle, and what this understanding means for all. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Show ID: 6420]

One of the best remaining examples of a coastal-strand environment in Southern California, the University of California Natural Reserve System's (NRS) Coal Oil Point Reserve protects a wide variety of coastal and estuarine habitats. Thousands of migratory birds visit throughout the year. Located adjacent to the UC Santa Barbara campus, the reserve provides a unique and accessible research and teaching resource, which is used by many university courses, including botany, ecology, biodiversity...

At the University of California Natural Reserve System's (NRS) Sedgwick Reserve near Santa Barbara, UC researchers are delving deep into the earth to understand the microorganisms that support California's ecosystems and are working to preserve the state's disappearing oak woodlands and restore native grasslands. Local schoolchildren also visit the reserve as part of an innovative "Kids in Nature" science program. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Agriculture] [Show ID: 8385]

Located in Southern California's San Jacinto Mountains, the Natural Reserve System's (NRS) James Reserve is at the forefront of an effort to use high technology to gain insight into the natural world. Embedded cameras monitor the nesting cycles of birds, sensor networks track weather data on habitat microclimates, and computers map out the potential damage from wildfires. Series: "UC Natural Reserve System" [Science] [Agriculture] [Show ID: 8384]