Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health

The Web site for the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia (formerly the Bugwood Network) is actually a portal to 27 hosted sites (including Invasive.org http://www.invasive.org/, CH, Aug'09, 46-6787) that deal with all aspects of invasive species and pests plus some aspects of forest and natural resources management. The center's first goal is "to become a preeminent national and international public service and outreach center," and the creators have achieved it admirably.


The site's main page features a What's New section, which highlights important news items and fact sheets. The Topics section allows users to locate Web sites of interest by various categories, such as Bark Beetles, Prescribed Fire, Weeds, and Wildlife. The databases of forestry, insect, invasive species, and integrated pest management images are a rich source of photographs. Currently, the site offers access to nearly 130,000 images that can be used without charge, with correct attribution, after free user registration. Quality links to other governmental and academic Web sites are well chosen. The BugwoodWiki, organized by categories including Fruits and Nuts, Field Crops, and Diagnostician's Cookbook, should prove to be a valuable resource as it develops and matures. Also noteworthy is the Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System (EDDMapS), which aids in the tracking and mapping of the spread of invasive species throughout the US. Users can keep up to date with the center's news through Facebook or via RSS feed. . . .overall, it is an excellent resource for obtaining information and images related to invasive species and associated topics. ACRL's Choice recommendation, December 2010. http://www.bugwood.org/