Northern California [.zip]
http://www.epa.gov/nerlesd1/land-sci/northern_california/
The US Environmental Protection Agency presents this comprehensive dataset for northern California as part of a pilot study for its Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP). EMAP offers easy-to-use, GIS-based land use and environmental data designed to help resource managers better "understand and assess the status and trends in the condition of our ecological resources and the stressors affecting these systems." The northern California dataset includes detailed maps and information on hydrography, land cover, roads, vegetation, soils, land ownership, and so on -- all of which may be downloaded. [RS]
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The New York Botanical Garden: The Americas Base Map [.doc]
http://www.nybg.org/bsci/digital_maps/
Researchers at City University of New York and the New York Botanical Garden have developed a digital base map for the Neotropical flora -- a "multifaceted approach to mapping species distributions [that] will facilitate the work of systematists and floristicians." The map -- which represents the first time "a disparate set of high-quality, botanically relevant environmental and geographic data" has been integrated as a single, easy-to-use digital resource for the Neotropical flora -- is freely available for research purposes to anyone affiliated with a biology-related nonprofit organization. The Web site also provides a full-text article on the Americas Base Map and contact information for ordering the map. [RS]
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Lemurs of Madagascar [.pdf, QuickTime]
http://www.tsidy.com/lemurs/index.asp
This Web site complements a CD-ROM on the lemurs of Madagascar produced by the Expert Center for Taxonomic Investigation, a UNESCO-sponsored NGO working to "improve the general access to and promote the broad use of taxonomic and biodiversity knowledge worldwide" through computer-aided information systems. Not all features from the CD-ROM are available on this Web site, but visitors will certainly find a substantial amount of online information on Malagasy lemurs, including an overview of 63 lemur species and subspecies, citation information for thousands of related references, beautiful Audubon-style plates, and more. Because the sidebar menu and the format of the Web pages can sometimes be confusing, the site is easiest to explore from the Welcome page. [RS]
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Developmental Physiology
http://www.biol.unt.edu/developmentalphysiology/
This Web portal offered through the University of North Texas aims to "promote a sense of identity and connectivity among interested scientists and students active in the burgeoning field of developmental physiology." Users will find a wide array of useful features and services, including developmental physiology news, career and funding information, regularly updated links to related publications, a searchable database of developmental physiology researchers worldwide, op-ed pieces, hundreds of related links, and more. An helpful intra-site search engine has been recently added. [RS]
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Plant Diversity in Paraguay
http://internt.nhm.ac.uk/cgi-bin/botany/paraguay/
This Web site contains a database of Paraguayan plant specimens from the Natural History Museum herbarium in London, as well as all records of collections made during a biological inventory of the Mbaracayú Forest Nature Reserve (a project funded by the UK government's Darwin Initiative). In addition to the database, which is searchable by taxonomy or geography via convenient dropdown menus, visitors will find detailed background information on the Darwin Initiative, the vegetation of Paraguay, and the Mbaracayú Forest Nature Reserve. The site's attractive and well-designed interface is an added bonus. [RS]
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Vulpia: Contributions from the North Carolina State Herbarium [.pdf]
http://www.cals.ncsu.edu:8050/botany/ncsc/vulpia/
Vulpia, named in honor of the late Dr. W.B. Fox (fox: latin vulpes), is an online botanical publication produced by the herbarium at North Carolina State University. The database currently includes six papers published in 2002. Although other botanical topics and wider geographic coverage are also considered, Vulpia primarily covers issues of taxonomy, floristics, ecology, nomenclature, ornamental plants, and biogeography as related to North Carolina and the southeastern US. Professional botanists and amateur plant enthusiasts alike are encouraged to take advantage of this peer-reviewed publication. [RS]
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ReefBase: A Global Information System on Coral Reefs
http://www.reefbase.org/
ReefBase, a comprehensive Web portal for information on coral reefs, is presented by the World Fish Center based in Malaysia. Intended for use by reef managers, scientists, and the general public, ReefBase aims to "facilitate better understanding of the interdependence between humans and coral reefs, in order to benefit management and conservation efforts of these important resources." ReefBase provides information on coastal and marine resources, coral reef threats, resource management practices, maps and photos, references, and more. Users can quickly search for information organized by country or territory using a convenient dropdown menu. ReefBase is frequently updated; one recent addition is a status report for coral reefs of the southwestern Indian Ocean. [RS]
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Database of Human Disease Causing Gene Homologues in Dictyostelium discoideum
http://dictyworkbench.sdsc.edu/HDGDD/
This recently updated Web site from the San Diego Supercomputer Center offers "a collection of Dictyostelium genes homologous to human disease associated genes in this favorite eukaryotic model organism for biomedical research." Data in the Human Disease Causing Gene Homologues (HDGDD) catalog may be easily found with a number of search features, and numerous links to related projects and bioinformatics tools are also provided. [RS]
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