Scott's Botanical Links--May 2000

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Past links:

May 31, 2000 - Glossary of Roots of Botanical Names

Garden Gate hosts an excellent glossary of the most commonly used roots of botanical terms. This browsable resource presents the terms, with definitions and origins, alphabetically. Using these roots, a suffix and/or a prefix does much to demystify botanical terminology! "BOTRTS" (Botanical Roots) was originally compiled by Bob Riffle, converted for the web by Karen Fletcher at Gerden Gate. (****) -SR

May 30, 2000 - Ag Bio-Tech InfoNet

The Bio-Tech InfoNet has useful information on plants and projects currently using genetic engineering for insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, disease resistance and other traits, as well as the impacts & implications of biotech, industry mergers & integration, rating Biotech, applications, environmental impacts, health risks, costs & benefits, consumer choice, and policy. The site also has useful sources & links. This is a high quality reference site for plant biotechnology by Bio-Tech InfoNet. (****) -SR

May 29, 2000 - Memorial Day

Day off! (****)

May 26, 2000 - Material Safety Data Sheets

This site, by J.T. Baker, provides Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDSs) on a wide variety of chemicals. This provides much of the information required by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA). The site provides well-formatted forms that are easy to print. Copies of MSDSs are required for chemicals in multi-user labs; this is a fast way to obtain them. Similar sites are provided by a variety of chemical companies -- everyone should have an MSDS site bookmarked for reference. (****) -SR

May 25, 2000 - F-Secure Computer Virus Info Center

With the recent LoveLetter virus, it is becoming evident that the price that we pay for email interactivity (e.g. Microsoft Outlook) is that anyone anywhere can sent an autopropagating virus. There are also a tremendous number of "chainletter" emails telling of some new, more virulent virus (usually a hoax) and urging the recipient to send the message to everyone they know (wasting their time)! This database is one of the best virus data sites that I have found, with very practical information on what the virus does (for those who are technically inclined). Bookmark this for later! Site by F-Secure, one of the major anti-virus companies. (****) -SR

May 24, 2000 - Plant Diversity at Bullshoals Field Station

This site is part of the Bullshoals Field Station sites, presenting images and information on plants occurring at the station in Southwestern Missouri. Although still unfinished, the site shows promise (new images are added from time-to-time). Pages provide information on the occurrence of specific wildflowers in the central U.S., accessible by browsing or search engine. The Plant Image Gallery presents pages of thumbnail images of Blue & Purple, Green & Brown, Red & Pink, White and Yellow flowers. Site by Bullshoals Field Station. (***1/2) -SR

May 23, 2000 - OwlCam Home Page

The digital devices of the Internet have special benefits for zoologists, as shown by this site concerning a special pair of owls that live under the eye of a webcam. This is an owl-friendly form of observation; natural light and distant telephoto lenses are used. The images on this site, which date from 1997 to the present, are accompanied by an informative text. Images are recorded daily. Watch the owlets grow and try their wings. This site is by Owlbox. (****) -SR

May 22, 2000 - Spring in Northern Cyprus

This virtual tour of Cyprus presents a wonderful impression of this Mediterranean island. Pages are included on the coast & dunes, grasses, "I Fioretti" (the little flowers), Echium & allieds, walls & rocks, St Hilarion cabbages, Anemones & Ranunculus, Ophrys, Orchis & Serapias, Bulbs & tubers, Gladiolus, Ferula (& other Apiaceae), Cistus & Rockroses, common shrubs, exceptional shrubs, peartrees & other Rosaceae, seeds & other vegetalia and a picture index. The main site is French and we are lucky that Pierre Mercan has translated it for us! (****) -SR

May 19, 2000 - What Tree Is It?

This Ohio-based site provides images and descriptions that allow local trees to be identified by making choices among a few (usually 2 or 3) easily-observed characteristics of leaves or fruits. A well-constructed and illustrated online key, it asks hyperlinked questions until it reaches a species. The plant descriptions given are detailed and illustrated, making this an excellent reference site as well. By Ohio Public Library Information Network (OPLIN) & The Ohio Historical Society. (****) -SR

May 18, 2000 - America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2000

This site lists the rivers that are most threatened by pollution and development within the US, this specific site being for 2000. This well organized site provides an introduction, list of rivers, locations and threats, the full report (in PDF), maps, a statement by the President of American Rivers, Rebecca Wodder, information about the "Most Endangered Rivers Report," a message board, listserv, press releasess (w/satellite feed coordinates), and an update on the "Most Endangered Rivers of 1999." Site by American Rivers, Washington, DC. (***1/2) -SR

May 17, 2000 - University of Tennessee Herbarium (TENN)

There are numerous herbaria in the US and this one, in particular caught my eye as a nice model! The herbarium features sites on bryophytes, fungi, vascular plants, their staff & students and a online form for specimen loans - certainly a simple approach. Only the vascular plants are finished, where a state checklist is available, a county map of occurrence for many taxa, a database of Tennessee vascular plants (under construction), and a link to the "Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage" site. Simple and well organized! (***1/2) -SR

May 16, 2000 - Western Australian Seagrass Web Page

This site provides information on Western Australian seagrasses, which are angiosperms of the families Potamogetonaceae and Hydrocharitaceae for researchers, resource managers and the general public. Pages on The ecological significance of seagrasses, Seagrasses of Western Australia and the Human uses of seagrasses are provided as well as other links. This is a brief but focused site by Mike van Keulen, Murdoch University, Western Australia. (***) -SR

May 15, 2000 - Missouri Wildflower Guide

Consistent with tradition, this wildflower guide is grouped by flower color. Different from the paperback, however, hyperlinked flower views really do encourage an amateur to use it. There is also a list of species by names (common on one side and Latin on the other) and search engine in the future. The site is still incomplete, but illustrates over 200 species. A well organized wildflower identification site provided by Marizon Inc, a web development company located near Jefferson City, MO. (***1/2) -SR

May 12, 2000 - Biotech Basics

Plant biotechnology offers the promise of highly directed breeding in plants, targetting critical genes that can enhance breeding or productivity and reduce or eliminate the need for pesticides (that have their own risks). Genetically modified (GM) plants generate considerable controversy in Europe. This site is Monsanto's explanation of the science of biotech, including: Basics of Plant Biotech, How Biotech Works, Why Biotech Matters, The Benefits of Biotech, an Example, A Brief Biotech Timeline, Frequently Asked Questions, Product Information and a Glossary. Despite the very positive picture, this presents the science well. (***1/2) -SR

May 11, 2000 - MagPortal.Com

MagPortal.com provides twelve main focus areas for articles in popular periodicals. Under "Science and Technology," I was attracted to "Biology and Life Sciences." Although not many of the titles are related specifically to plants, this site provides a succinct overview of currently available online titles in popular science magazines. The title, source and a brief description are given. Browsing through old articles, there were many titles suitable for class discussions. Site by Hot Neuron LLC. (***1/2) -SR

May 10, 2000 - Common Names Look-up Index

Professional botanists have a love/hate relationship with common names because they confuse relationships (e.g., moss rose is not a rose and not a moss!), differ from place-to-place, and frequently describe a number of unrelated plants. Despite that, this site with 25,000 browsable names may be useful to discover a scientific name! A useful and comprehensive hyperlinked glossary is also linked at the bottom of many pages. Site by B & T World Seeds, Paguignan, 34210 Olonzac, France (the site however is in English!). (***1/2) -SR

May 9, 2000 - Wormhole to the Rest of the Internet

"Wormhole" is my one-page access site to popular search engines and web resources. Placement in the list of search engines generally reflects how much I like it--and note, some are better for a given task than others. I acquired this domain to avoid quoting the old 60-character URL! Therefore, look for the "Wormhole" now at URL: "http://www.wormhole2k.org/" or "http://www.wormhole2000.org/" on the Web. ("Internet Search" on the title line [above] also links to this site.) As usual I do not rate my own sites. -SR

May 8, 2000 - Desert USA Flora

Desert USA has featured about 60 desert plants (unfortunately just by common name, currently no search option) and ~25 articles on desert plants. As the site notes, desert plants "have adapted to the extremes of heat and aridity by using both physical and behavioral mechanisms, much like desert animals." The site discusses these changes and provides abundant examples. Site by Desert USA, a travel guide to arid America. (***1/2) -SR

May 5, 2000 - Pollination Lecture of ENT 2004

This site on pollination is part of the distance learning program of Virginia Tech's "Insects and Human Society" course. The site provides a detailed view of the role of insects in achieving seed and fruit set. Featured are 50 slides with limited RealAudio narration. This rest of the site, including lectures on plant pests and integrated pest management (among other topics) can serve as a model of how to integrate discussion groups, online quizzes in a distance learning environment. (****) -SR

May 4, 2000 - Sunken Gardens around the World

This site catalogs and in some cases illustrates the sunken gardens of the world. The site is sponsored by Saint Petersburg Botanic Society. (***)

May 3, 2000 - Victoria Waterlily Web Page

Victoria is the queen of all waterlilies, with leaves up to three feet wide. The site includes Jack's Quickie Guide to Victoria Culture, Jack's Quickie Victoria Pollination Guide and Jack's Quickie Guide to Victoria Flower Anatomy, as well as some other links. The opening of the first flower is memorably recorded in 20 digital photos. If you are interested in this plant you will love this site by Jack Honeycutt. (****) -SR

May 2, 2000 - Threatened Plants of the World

The World Conservation Monitoring Centre maintains data on more than 140,000 plants, linked to over 190,000 distribution areas using information from national lists, literature and data from the IUCN Species Survival Commission. This database originates from and is linked to over 19,000 data sources. Data are in six categories, from extinct to vulnerable. Although the site, by WCMC, may be slow in North America, it provides a needed global perspective. (****) -SR

May 1, 2000 - Sunrise/Sunset Calculator

This page calculates apparent sunrise, apparent sunset, declination and solar noon anywhere in the world. Linked are pages explaining the equations, time zones, and calculations. A brief but succinct site, by Aaron Horiuchi, Chris Lehman and Chris Cornwall, Surface Radiation Research Branch (SRRB) of NOAA. (****) -SR

Past, past links (by date):

2006: January

2005: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

2003: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

2002: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

2001: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

2000: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

1999: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

1998: January*, February*, March*, April*, May*, June*, July, August, September, October, November, December   (*Leigh's links)

1997: January, February, March, April, May, June, September*, October*, November*, December*    (*Leigh's links)

1996: February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Or search by: Subject Index

http://www.ou.edu/cas/botany-micro/bot-linx/may00.shtml