A continuing theme in my laboratory has been the adaptation of software to promote excellence in the visualization and communication of scientific information. This includes support of publication quality scientific charts (e.g., Bridges & Kim, 1985. Scientific Chart Design, ISSCO, San Diego; Bridges, K. W., and Jon Pitko, 1986. TABLES Design Ideas, ISSCO, San Diego), PowerPoint presentation materials and web-based materials. Past activities include early developmental work in geographic information systems and what is now called email communications. Currently, this research involves a continuing series of presentations at ethnobotanical meetings and support of the PABITRA consortium.

I am continuing studies on the assessment of ecosystems to help predict the long-term consequences of small areas. In some cases these are small, isolated atolls. In other cases, they are areas that contain the few remaining individuals of an extremely rare species. Some of this work has been done at Rongelap Atoll, Marshall Islands. Other studies are being done in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Key to ecological assessment is the need for long-term monitoring. Work in my laboratory (collaborating with faculty in the UHM Information and Computer Sciences Department and the MIT Media Lab) has involved sensor and communications system development. This research, as part of a DARPA-funded project called "PODS," has recently evolved into a project that is building a highly-survivable computer system that will provide economical monitoring (weather data and periodic high-resolution images) in extremely remote areas. This new project, called "pseudoPODS," is a joint activity with ICS faculty and a business partner, Enviroguise Enterprises. Funding is from the Hawaii Technology Development Venture.

The methodological studies in my lab include hypothesis and theory generation, field technology (including safety kits), and support for data simulation, rapid analysis and visualization techniques. The aims of these studies is to better prepare field researchers, make sure they are properly equipped and promote in-field analysis of data.

I maintain some interest in seagrass ecosystems, particularly in the Pacific-wide distribution patterns of the tropical species.