General
http://www.nature.com/news/specials/flores/index.html
The discovery of a small human species in Flores, Indonesia-named Homo floresiensis-has created quite a buzz in both scientific communities and the media. If you have not heard about it yet, or you want to learn more, this website from News@Nature features a variety of information about this remarkable discovery. The website contains links to a collection of news stories, including an interview with Flores team leaders Peter Brown and Mike Morwood. The site also connects to two original research articles about the Flores discovery, as well as a variety of related archaeological stories from the past few years. In addition, News@Nature offers an interactive map feature presenting archaeological discoveries in the Pacific Rim, and an online video about Flores Man. [NL]
The American Ornithologists' Union (AOU) was established in 1883, making it "the oldest and largest organization in the New World devoted to the scientific study of birds." Although primarily "a professional organization, its membership of about 4,000 includes many amateurs dedicated to the advancement of ornithological science." The AOU website contains information about membership, upcoming meetings, awards, a variety of publications, and more. The site also offers access to a comprehensive checklist for birds of North America; a preliminary classification of the bird species of South America; and online copies of the Ornithological Societies of North America's Ornithological Newsletter. Notably, the AOU site links to an online job board featuring a range of ornithological opportunities including tenure-track faculty positions, research assistantships, and internships. [NL]
If top predators are to persist into future years, they will likely need the help of committed advocates. The Large Carnivore Initiative for Europe (LCIE)--a network comprised of scientists, government representatives, and non-governmental agency representatives--works to "maintain and restore, in coexistence with people, viable populations of large carnivores as an integral part of ecosystems and landscapes across Europe." The LCIE website provides information about five important carnivorous species: wolverines, brown bears, wolves, Eurasian lynx, and Iberian lynx. The site also links to a variety of downloadable publications regarding LCIE, the aforementioned five species, and a variety of conservation and management issues. From the Carnivore Damage Protection page site visitors can download the latest issue of the LCIE newsletter, which is published to facilitate communication between people working to prevent carnivore damage. The site also contains some nice animal images, and links to the Eurasian Lynx Online Information System (reported on October 15, 2004 in the NSDL Report for the Life Sciences). [NL]
Are you looking for bulbs, beneficial garden insects, or that hard-to-find orchid variety? You are likely to find a source for what you seek at garden aficionado Cyndi Johnson's online Catalog of Garden Catalogs. From her many years of gardening and catalog collecting, Ms. Johnson has assembled a cornucopia of annotated links and listings for garden suppliers peddling Chrysanthemums, Roses, Trees, Lilies, Grasses, Heirloom varieties, Organics, Wildflowers, and much more. In addition to specialty sellers, the site lists catalogs that offer seeds, plants, and other supplies for general gardening needs. If you are in the mood to browse, be sure to check out the sizeable alphabetized list of garden vendor websites with listings from AAA Ornamentals to Zuma Canyon Orchids. For site visitors residing outside of the United States, there is a list of garden companies in Canada, as well as a list of companies in selected countries around the world including France, the United Kingdom, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and more. The site also contains links to such resources as Regional Advice, Critter Advice, Specialty Gardening, and Plant Finders. [NL]
http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/paramo/welcome_english.flash.asp
Available in Spanish and English, the Flora of the Páramo of El Cajas, Azuay, Ecuador is a collaborative creation developed by the ETAPA-Parque Nacional Cajas, Department of Systematic Botany at Aarhus University, and the Missouri Botanical Garden. The project's purpose "was to explore the páramo of Cajas, to take high quality digital photographs, and to produce an illustrated flora of the vascular plants available through the internet." The site contains images and descriptions for 100 representative species with the primary goal of increasing appreciation, knowledge, and protection of these wild and native plants. The species are organized alphabetically by family, and each listing includes the following: photograph, scientific name, family, brief description, and distribution. Site visitors can also link from each listing to the TROPICOS database for additional species and specimen information. The site is designed to be user-friendly for a wide public and includes a glossary for easy interpretation of technical terms. The site also includes the Checklist of the Flora of the Páramo of Cajas, Ecuador. [NL]
The Boreal Songbird Initiative (BSI) is a "project dedicated to educating birdwatchers and naturalists throughout the United States about the importance of the boreal forest to migratory birds." As part of the Boreal Songbird Network, BSI works with other organizations in the United States--such as the Natural Resources Defense Council--to help conserve the critical boreal forest habitat of Alaska and Canada. The BSI website contains information about the Boreal Songbird Network, Canada's boreal forest, and the relationship between birds and the boreal forest of North America. The site offers downloadable research reports; links to related news articles; and an interactive Boreal Birds field guide with audio calls, images, range maps, and descriptions. The site also offers visitors several actions they can take to help conserve Canada's boreal forest. [NL]
The American Fern Society (AFS) has more than 900 members around the globe, making it "one of the largest international fern clubs in the world. It was established in 1893 with the objective of fostering interest in ferns and fern allies." For beginners, the AFS website posts A Brief Introduction to Ferns which touches on fronds, rhizomes, sporangia, life cycle, and history. The site also offers brief online instructions for growing different types of ferns including common ferns, Grape ferns, Psilotum, Schizaea Pusilla, and Xerophytic ferns. In addition, AFS hosts an online Fern Forum that is open to beginners, amateurs, and professionals. Site visitors will also find links to other online fern resources, as well as information about AFS membership, publications, and Spore Exchange service. [NL]
http://www.michaelbach.de/ot/
University of Freiburg-Medical School: Freiburg Visual Acuity & Contrast Test
http://www.augen.uniklinik-freiburg.de/mit/bach/fract_universal/index.html
Have you ever wondered how different optical illusions work? This fun, informative, and very cool website developed by ophthalmologist Dr. Michael Bach of the University of Freiburg's Medical School introduces 48 interactive visual illusions and phenomena. The illusions are animated and accompanied by explanations that help visitors make sense of their perceptual responses. Major illusion categories include: Motion & Time, Luminance & Contrast, Colour, Cognitive, and more. The site is still in progress, and Dr. Bach encourages both general feedback, and additional scientific information for improving the illusion explanations. The second site, also from Professor Bach, presents site users with an interactive, online Visual Acuity Test. Note: The Contrast component of the Test has yet to be implemented. [NL]
