This part is constantly under construction! The aim is to get the best sites on a range of key ecological topics. Sites are checked daily and the best ones added as they are found. If you see a better site or one not listed here or even a link not working, please contact me (also, to suggest a topic I haven't covered). If you're new to here, please read the disclaimer.
In the meantime, here's the current list with a brief description:
General Sites
- Museums and institutions - some of the key places for natural science information.
- Media - a range of key news sources (see also the news section).
- Portals - large sites often with hundreds of links on their topics.
- Reference works - a few standard sources of information.
- Search engines - some of the best out of over 1200 engines.
- Web Site Evaluation - some ideas on how to assess the quality of information.
Subject-specific Sites
- Agriculture - looking at the impact of human intervention on natural ecosystems.
- Archaeology and History - human impact through time.
- Atmosphere and Meteorology - general studies of atmospherics (see below for related topics).
- Biodiversity - links to key biodiversity projects and databases.
- Biogeography - plant and animal distributions.
- Biomes and Eco-regions - studies of the divisions we make to describe large ecosystems.
- Conservation - sites devoted to plant, animal and ecosystem survival.
- Ecology - some key organisations looking at ecology in broad terms.
- El Nino - studies of this and related phenomena.
- Energy - conventional and alternative sources.
- Environmental education - links to educational groups.
- Environmental politics - links to mainstream political groups and their analysts.
- Environmental science - a few sites discussing the science of the environment.
- EU Departments and resources - some of the more important EU places.
- Forests and Forestry - covers both 'natural' woodland and arboriculture.
- Global monitoring/GIS - global analyses and the new ideas behind Geographical Information Systems.
- Global Organisations - key environmental pressure groups.
- Global Warming - human impact on the atmosphere.
- Government Departments (international) - links to political systems outside the UK.
- Hydrosphere - general sites on the water cycle.
- Law - key sites for UK and EU legislation.
- Lithosphere - general sites for the rock cycle.
- Natural Resources - covers human usage of the natural environment.
- Oceanography - sites looking at the oceans, their dynamics and human impact.
- Planning - how people and governments organise land use.
- Pollution - covers all aspects, mainly the larger organisations.
- Population - general demographic topics.
- Soils - all aspects of soils and soil use.
- Sustainable Development - a new topic looking at reducing human impact on our environment.
- Taxonomy and Identification - understanding what you're looking at - crucial!
- Tourism and Recreation - people impact in the pursuit of leisure.
- UK Environmental Organisations - more local pressure groups.
- UK Government Departments - key government agencies not just ministries.
- United Nations - some of the key organisations in environmental affairs.
- Virtual Classroom - sites aiming to do fieldwork without going into the field - an interesting area.
Please note: I have checked every site before it goes onto the list. Most
of these are institutions but a few are from other organisations and individuals.
Sometimes a website is sold and although it keeps the original name and
URL you end up with a totally unsuitable site. I am especially keen to
know of any site like this so I can remove any reference to it immediately.
The sites mentioned here have been chosen because they appear to aid our
understanding of the topic under discussion. I have no control over the
content or nature of these sites neither do I endorse them nor receive
endorsement from them. I make no warranty, express or implied, as to the
accuracy or completeness of any information, howsoever stored or transmitted,
which may be obtained by any person or any entity having access to this
site or the others mentioned here. I make no express or implied warranties
of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect
to any information, service provided, data or software whatsoever included
in this site or that may be accessed through this site.