Leigh's Links -- December 1998

December 15, 1998- Welcome to the Endangered Species Home Page

With a glimmer of hope, FWS utilizes this website to communicate that,"Endangered means there's still time." This is a complete endangered species resource for the biologist and educator- updated lists by species and state, a map of U.S. regions and their program contacts, a downloadable copy of the ESA, links, educational materials and current information are amply provided. Site by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Division of Endangered Species, Branch of Information Management, Washington, D.C. (****)LF

December 14, 1998- The Microbial Underground

Though now in its permanent resting state (i.e. no additional material to be added) The Microbial Underground is quite full of Medical, Microbiological and Molecular Biological material, with links to related websites on the net. The author's Online Course in Medical Bacteriology contains modules for "The Nature of Bacteria," " Bacteria in Sickness and in Health," "Host Defences and Bacterial Pathogenicity," "Bacteria of Clinical Importance," "Bacterial Infections," "Diagnosis of Bacterial Infections," and "Antibiotics and the Treatment of Bacterial Infections." Site by Mark Pallen,  Senior Lecturer in Medical Microbiology at St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry, London.(****)LF

December 11, 1998- The Right Tree Handbook

This collaborative publication addresses the need for methods of correct tree placement with regards to buildings and power lines. Fact Sheets with photos are available for commonly planted temperate zone trees, color-coded with an easy to use corresponding diagram illustrating the growing space necessary for the development of each species. A graphic tree-planting detail and USDA Hardiness Zone Map are also supplied for handy reference on this site by the University of Minnesota, Northern States Power Company, and Minnesota Power; written by Harold Pellett, Nancy Rose and Mervin Eisel, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Department of Horticultural Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.(****)LF

December 10, 1998- The University of North Carolina Herbarium

Along with an annotated photo gallery of selected plants of the southeastern United States, there are several important botanical features on this website, including a working draft of the Flora of the Carolinas and Virginia by Alan S. Weakley (1997). Radford's 1974 illustrated glossary of botanical terms and terminology ( from Vascular Plant Systematics, for years out of print) is reproduced online as an aid to phytographic studies. Also from this text are chapters on the Herbarium, collection and preparation of field specimens, and on the use and construction of plant identification devices. Site by the University of North Carolina Herbarium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (****)LF

December 8, 1998- Computer-Assisted Laboratory Instruction Program

CALI is a Department of Biology collaboration to expand the introductory biology student's universe beyond the limitations of wet-labs and lecture halls. Development of several biology modules was well supported with "state-of-the-art" software and hardware, now part of a multi-media library utilized by more than a thousand students yearly. Some of the products demonstrated online contain excellent link material within A Field Guide to the Native Plants of Cal Poly, a Cardiovascular Module, Genetics (why do offspring look like parents?), and A Demonstration of Photosynthesis by the elegant Dr. Chris George (pictured). Educators concerned with computer-assisted education will not want to miss this site by the Department of Biological Sciences, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, California.(****)LF

December 7, 1998- Macroanalytical Procedures Manual, 1984

Detailing unaided sensory methods as utilized by the FDA, this online Manual takes the guesswork out of refrigerator and cabinet freshness determinations. Every biologist will be glad to know that, "Over the years, standardized methods of macroscopic examination have evolved for determining filth, decomposition, and foreign matter in foods, drugs,and cosmetics and other products subject to the laws enforced by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration." Methods for lettuce are particularly useful to consumers in general. Or, for a great science fair project, try combining various brands of peanut butter with petroleum ether for microscopic detection of foreign plant matter. Site by George C. Ziobro, Research Chemist, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Washington, D.C..(****)LF

December 4, 1998- Abstracts From The 1997 Conference on Hazardous Waste Research

Botanists, microbiologists, and phytoremedial technologists alike will want to read through this splendid array of abstracts concerning the latest uses of plants in hazardous waste research. Bioremediation of metals and munitions contamination and many general topics in reclamation of soil and water were the major focus of the Great Plains/Rocky Mountain Hazardous Substance Research Center May, 1997 Conference. Other subjects included Analytical Methods, Partnerships and Technology Innovation, and Bio-films and Bio-barriers. Site by the Great Plains-Rocky Mountain HSRC, Manhattan, Kansas.(****)LF

December 3, 1998- The United States Salinity Laboratory

The webmaster of this ultra-coolsite is a Soil Scientist / Chemist in the USSL Soil Physics and Pesticide Research Unit (listed under author's "left brain activities"), and utilizing his right brain skills in desktop publishing, presents this USDA soil science and salt tolerancy lab with real graphic appeal. In addition to databases classifying salt-tolerancy of ornamental and agricultural plants, Handbook 60 "Saline and Alkaline Soils, Diagnosis and Improvement" is online, an out-of-print publication still sought by many. Alternatives to methyl bromide are another important feature; also, publications 1938 to the present. Site by Mark M. Cliath, USSL, Riverside, California.(****)LF

December 2, 1998- North American Mycological Association

NAMA, an organization of individuals dedicated to the study and enjoyment of mushrooms publishes its own journal, The Mycophile, and offers several valuable educational resources online. Copious material is available for teaching Mycology K-12, while a gallery of stunning mushroom shots adds impetus to the annual photo contest. A Toxicology section lists "Mushroom Poisoning Syndromes" for the major mycotoxins; NAMA also maintains a database of mushroom poisoning cases with online forms to register poisonings. Site by Vicka Corey, NAMA. (****)LF

December 1, 1998- Cornell Plantations

Yet another of America's living botanical collections of chief importance is established in the  pathways, gorges and pastoral landscapes of Cornell Plantations. The beautifully done website features Cornell University's Plantations Path Online Guide, a self-guided tour through the magnificent aspects of the gardens with a complete list of taxa in each collection. The garden's history and mission statement are great reading for courses in Cultural Botany, Horticulture, or Plants and People. Site by Chris Stuart and Alan Ni, Cornell Center for the Environment, Ithaca, New York. (****)LF