Page Index:

• Taxonomy and Classification
• Biodiversity
• Also See "Conservation" and "Human Impact"

Classification of Living Things 

Learn about the Linnaean system of classification used in the biological sciences to describe and categorize all living things, with a focus on finding out how humans fit within this system. 

Introduction to the Eukaryota

Comprises detailed information on systematics, life histories, morphologies and fossil record data for all eukaryotes.  Well worth a look. 

Taxonomy: Classifying Life 

Learn how organisms are classified. Includes background information on homology, embryonic development, DNA hybridisation, phylogenetic trees, cladistics, plus more.

Taxonomy Lab: An exercise in taxonomy 

An introduction to taxonomy and classification. Includes the Linnaean Hierarchy, type specimens, and a class experiment for you to develop a classification scheme.

The Cockroach Phylogeny 

This site contains a suggested Phylogeny of the various cockroach species, and links to many related online resources. 

The Phylogeny of Life 

An introduction to phylogeny. Learn about the history of life on Earth by tracing life's phylogeny from three different starting points. Work your way through the phylogeny of all organisms, from whales to bacteria. 

The New Zealand Mollusca 

Provides a checklist for New Zealand molluscs (including location maps and photos). 

The Tree of Life Home Page 

The Tree of Life is a project containing information about the diversity of organisms on Earth, their history, and characteristics.

Will's Skull Page 

Useful photos of skulls as a means of species identification. Contains a key to identify British mammals, as well as other specimens, and has note on preparing material, plus more.

Atlas of World Biodiversity 

Created by the UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre this is a superb online atlas, capable of highly detailed images, and displaying many different variables for comparison.

Biodiversity and Conservation Hypertext Book 

A hypertext book on biodiversity and conservation. Contains 16 chapters beginning with biological diversity, threats to biodiversity, and approaches to preserving what is left.

Biodiversity in NZ 

New Zealand's Department of Conservation provides information here on biodiversity, native species, and threats to biodiversity (weeds and pests). 

BioLink Australia - Biodiversity 

A site describing biodiversity programmes, initiatives and policies at the international, national, community and local levels in Australia.  

Convention on Biological Diversity 

This site looks at the importance of biological diversity for the health of people and the planet, and explains the role of the CBD in protecting this Biodiversity. 

(UK) CWT-Biodiversity Action Plans

The Cheshire Wildlife Trusts runs many projects and biodiversity action plans for species and habitats in the United Kingdom.

Diversity of Life Web Index 

A large site that provides a launch pad for exploring biodiversity on the Internet. 

Environment Australia - Biodiversity Group

Site of Biodiversity Group of Environment Australia and covers such areas as: biodiversity, and conservation of plants and animals, and environments.

International Species Information System 

ISIS is an international nonprofit membership organization supporting species conservation and preservation. It has a high level of global cooperation, including almost half the world's recognised zoos and aquaria. May take a while to load. 

National Biodiversity Profiles (WCMC) 

This information service is based on reports prepared by the World Conservation Monitoring Centre. This service gives simple biodiversity profiles for ten countries and helps to identify biodiversity elements for which a country has sole responsibility.

Species 2000 

Species 2000 has the aim of enumerating all known species of plants, animals, fungi and microbes as the baseline dataset for studies of global biodiversity.  

The Animal Diversity Web 

The Animal Diversity Web is an electronic database with pictures and information on individual animal species, including details of distributions, natural history, conservation, and economic importance. 

The New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy 

New Zealand's biodiversity strategy looks at the steps involved in preserving the country's flora and fauna.  Also looks at goals for the 21st century and how these goals will be achieved.

What are biodiversity Hotspots? 

This website explains what a hotspot is and why these areas should be preserved. Also includes a global map showing which regions contain hotspots.

World Conservation Monitoring Centre 

The World Conservation Monitoring Centre provides information services on conservation and sustainable use of the world's living resources, and helps others to develop information systems of their own.