Expeditions in Conservation: Mesoamerican Reef [Flash, Real Player]
http://www.worldwildlife.org/expeditions/reef/index.html
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently completed this expedition of the largest coral reef system in the Atlantic Ocean and has provided an opportunity for Web users to share some of what they experienced. Visitors can view spectacular photos and videos to learn about the reef and the creatures that reside there, as well as read the daily reports of the expedition. The site offers much more in terms of learning about coral reefs, the people who study them, and the threats that face these unique ecosystems. [AL]
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Trees of Alabama and the Southeast
http://sofserv.forestry.auburn.edu/samuelson/dendrology/
Those who are interested in trees commonly found in the Southeastern US will appreciate this Web site provided by Auburn University's School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences. The site uses many photographs of different parts of each tree to help the user with proper identification. The site includes trees from 47 different families, and a helpful section on plant terminology that increases understanding. A search feature is an added dimension of the site, allowing users to find all information the site offers on one particular tree. [AL]
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William H. Calvin Books and Articles
http://williamcalvin.com/index.html#books
The full-text of several books authored by University of Washington professor William H. Calvin are available online. His newest book A Brain for All Seasons (A Scientific American book of the month) is about "what sudden climate flips did to human evolution over the last 2.5 million years." Most of his other books also focus on the subjects of the brain and human evolution. The hyperlinked table of contents makes browsing these texts more manageable. This Web page also includes other information about Calvin, including research, lectures, and shorter articles. [AL]
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Facts and Answers: USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine
http://www.bcm.tmc.edu/cnrc/factsanswers.htm
The US Department of Agriculture's Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine has made this index of children's health information available online. Frequently asked questions on children's nutritional topics are indexed alphabetically by category, along with links to short articles and fact sheets. Written for a general audience, this is a worthwhile site for anyone interested in children and nutrition. [AL]
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Bioactivities, Bioactive Compounds, and Chemical Constituents of Mangrove Plants
http://www.aims.gov.au/pages/research/mangroves/mangrove-biocom.html
This new page from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) is a brief introduction to the mangrove ecosystem. The site uses non-scientific language to explain what mangroves are and how they function. A series of detailed sketches add a significant amount of understanding to the text, and the site also links to a number of additional AIMS pages focusing on mangroves. [AL]
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BirdSource
http://www.birdsource.org/
Associated with the Audubon Society and the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, BirdSource is a Web site that allows Web users to participate in bird conservation and data gathering. By participating in bird identification and counts, citizens can help ornithologists determine species distribution and ranges. In addition to maps showing results from several public bird surveys, the site contains a great deal on identifying birds, conservation articles, and information for attracting birds to your feeder. This is a well rounded and attractive site for the bird enthusiast that offers data gathering opportunities throughout the year. [AL]
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CardioVascular Genetics: An Online Guide for Patients and their Families
http://www.geocities.com/anaivette_morales/CVG/Page_1x.html
This Web site from Brandeis University focuses on the relationship between congenital heart disease and genetics. The predominantly text site is written for a general audience of patients and their families with little background in genetics. In addition to explaining congenital heart disease and some genetic disorders that cause it, the site also touches on the role of genetic testing and counseling. This site is a good primer for those interested in cardiovascular disease and practical genetics. [AL]
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The Fungi of California
http://www.mykoweb.com/CAF/intro.html
This site was developed by two individuals with a strong interest in fungi and is intended to augment published field guides with numerous color photos of each species and frequent updates to taxonomy and nomenclature. The site includes only species that are found in California; however, many of these species may be found in other parts of North America. The site's current 357 species are easy to navigate through its alphabetical listing of scientific name. Those users unfamiliar with scientific names will appreciate the simplified key that uses diagrams and descriptions to identify groups of fungi fitting certain characteristics. [AL]
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