and air quality. Professional scientists are also using the transect for independent research. Because the A.T. is oriented along the predicted migratory direction of species responding to climate change, it is a particularly important mega transect to establish and maintain. MegaTransect future For a rapidly changing planet, megatransects establish baseline data from which to draw future trends, and they can focus attention on particular ecosystems which are disappearing faster than others. Establishing standard megatransects on specific regions or through various ecosystems of each continent, and periodic re–measurement of the ecological conditions along routes, every five to ten years, would provide very valuable measured data on environmental trends. See also Transect References External links National Geographic page on the transect Account of "Hike Madagascar" transect 1987 Dr. Robert Humphrey's megatransect 1997 Great Basin megatransect 2005 Mojave desert Mustard infestation in California Continent-sized photographic vegetation megatransects 2007-2008 transect of the entire range of the redwood tree Scientific observation Environmental science