Natural History Guide to American Samoa [.pdf]
http://www.nps.gov/npsa/book/index.htm
The National Park Service offers this incredibly extensive guide to the marine and wildlife resources of American Samoa, written by and reflecting the research of eight biologists at the Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources of National Park of American Samoa and the Land Grant Program at the American Samoa Community College. The guide, which may be viewed online or downloaded, covers dozens of topics related to Samoa's marine and terrestrial environments, including coral bleaching, sharks, humpback whales, flying foxes, invasive and agricultural pests, bird checklists, and much more. The Web site also provides local facts and area maps. Well-designed and full of colorful photographs, the Natural History Guide to American Samoa is definitely worth a look. [RS]
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Bushmeat Crises Task Force [.pdf]
http://www.bushmeat.org/
This Web site is the homepage of the Bushmeat Crisis Task Force (BCTF), a nonprofit organization that works toward "identifying and implementing effective and appropriate solutions to the commercial exploitation of endangered and threatened species." In addition to providing information on BCTF projects and upcoming events, the Web site offers a comprehensive collection of articles meant to raise awareness of the bushmeat crisis, as well as a number of fact sheets, each covering a specific aspect of the bushmeat trade. [RS]
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Insect Information Sheets
http://bohart.ucdavis.edu/bohart.asp?s=insects&f=sheets
The University of California-Davis Bohart Museum of Entomology offers its online visitors a number of informative resources on insects, including this collection of one-page illustrated Insect Information Sheets. While the fact sheets may be ordered from the museum for $0.10 a copy, many are presented online free of charge. Information sheets for over a dozen insects and arachnids are available, with more on the way. Informative and easy-to-use, this Web site should appeal to visitors looking for information about specific insects as well as those just having a general look. [RS]
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Natural History Notebooks
http://www.nature.ca/notebooks/
The Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN) offers an online version of its Natural History Notebook series originally published in 1977-81. Interesting facts and attractive black-and-white sketches are provided for each of the nearly 250 animal species (mostly vertebrates) featured in the Web site. All illustrations are by Charles Douglas, former chief illustrator at CMN. The notebook collection includes one each for mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, endangered or extinct species, prehistoric life, and another that allows users to search for animals by geographical region. [RS]
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The First Europeans: Treasures from the Hills of Atapuerca
http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/atapuerca/?src=e_ce
This Web site is the online companion to an exhibit currently on display at the American Museum of Natural History, which presents the paleoanthropological findings from two sites at Atapuerca, Spain. The exhibit represents the "first time outside of Spain that this extraordinary material that documents the very earliest attempt by human beings to occupy Europe has been on display." The Web site offers an information-rich resource on hominid evolution and expansion, fossil evidence and the history of research at Atapuerca, and how Neanderthals compare with modern humans. Highly readable and easy-to-use, this site should appeal to anyone with an interest in human evolution. [RS]
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Prairie Wildflowers and Grasses of North Dakota [.zip]
http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/2002/pwgofnd/pwgofnd.htm
The US Geological Service Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center offers this online introduction to the prairie wildflowers and grasses of North Dakota, based on a field guide written by Chris Grondahl and Andrea Evelsizer. The online guide is "intended to provide beginners with an overview of North Dakota's prairie wildflowers and grasses," and because prairies throughout the country have many species in common, those living in other areas should find this guide helpful as well. The site includes over fifty species, with botanical information and photos for each, and the flowers are conveniently organized by bloom season. The entire guide (2.1 MB) may be downloaded for offline viewing. [RS]
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Food and Nutrition Research Briefs
http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/np/fnrb/fnrb0103.htm
The US Department of Agriculture offers this quick overview of food and nutrition research conducted at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS). The Web site features a dozen topics (including Blueberries -- A Brain Booster? and Good News for Chocolate Lovers!) with research summaries and photos. The material is interesting and easy-to-absorb, and for further information, readers may get in touch with the ARS scientists behind the research. Contact information is provided. [RS]
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Clean Water Act Definition of "Waters of the United States" [.pdf]
http://www.epa.gov/owow/wetlands/swanccnav.html
US Environmental Protection Agency presents this Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) on the Clean Water Act definition of "Waters of the United States," which has important ramifications for wetland protection. The ANPRM requests information, data, and general comments from the public, which should be submitted by March 3, 2003, (forms provided). The site contains loads of information and relevant documents on the issue, including legal background, related wetland studies, and general information about wetlands. While this no-frills Web site won't appeal to the casual reader, those interested in wetland protection should find the provided resources of use. [RS]
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