Forest Resource Information Available on the Internet 1
Summary
The Internet has the potential to supply you with an ocean of information about forest resource conservation and management. However, sometimes it can be a little overwhelming finding the information you need. The School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC) at the University of Florida has a Web site (http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/ExtInfo.html) with many forest resource links. By clicking on these links you can go directly to other information sites. This publication seeks to: (1) introduce you to the Internet and the SFRC Web site; (2) assist you in getting plugged into this information super highway; and (3) provide a descriptive sampling of the types of forest resource Web sites available.
Introduction History of the Internet
In 1867 Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone and in 1938 a University of Florida (UF) graduate, Vincent Attanassoff, built the first digital computer. Since then communication and computer technologies have hybridized, mutated,and evolved into the world's biggest machine known as the Internet. One of the earliest forms of the Internet, DRAPNET (1969) , was developed to protect US military communication lines and strategic computers. With this web of interconnected computers, destruction of part of the network could be compensated by the surviving computers and alternate communication pathways. The power of networked computers was recognized by the National Science Foundation (NSF). In cooperation with IBM and MCI, NSF brought Internet technology to the civilian public with the creation of NSFNET (1984). Since then the uses and users of the Internet have grown exponentially. There are now over 150 thousand inter-connected networks, with over 16 million host computers connecting an uncountable number of individual computers and users.
What is the Internet and How does it Work ?In its simplest form a network is a localized group of computers connected together so they can access and share information. For example, in a small office computers are connected together to allow access to common programs and databases so that the computer users can exchangeinformation among themselves. The software, data bases, and other shared files are usually stored on a fast computer with a considerable amount of storage space, referred to as a file server. Interconnected computers in the same geographical location form a Local Area Network (LAN) (see Figure 1).
When multiple LANs in different geographical locations are connected, for example different offices of a large corporation in different cities or even different countries, this larger network forms a Wide Area Net Work (WAN). The Internet is constructed of many (over 150,000) large scale WAN's interconnected mostly by long distance phone companies. The World Wide Web (Web) is the portion of the Internet that consists of Web documents stored on Internet computers.
Many different types of computers (PCs, MACs, UNIX ...) are connected to the Internet in many different ways (phone, fiber optic, satellite). In order for this diverse system to successfully communicate, standard communication protocols and software are necessary. Each Web document must have an address or URL (Uniform ResourceLocator) (see Figure 2). The communication protocol for WWW documents is hypertext transfer protocol (http) and the URL for Web sites begins with "http://" .
Web files are kept on special computers (servers) that operate 24 hours a day. The name of the server is the next part of a URL. Server names are composites separated by periods. They usually (but not always) start with www and end with a three letter code that identifies the servers category (com for commercial, edu for educational, gov for government, net for networking organization, org for non profit organizations, mil for military, and int for some international organizations). The middle part of the server name is usually associated with more specific attributes of the server's identity.
Web documents are stored as computer files on a server. The last part of the URL specifies the location of the file in the server (path) and the name of the file. The path name is separated from the server name by a " / " and the different directories in the path name are also separated by a " / ".
The actual Web page is generally written in hypertext markup language (HTML) and the fileextension is usually htm or html. Some types of servers allow for file extension names longer than three digits and the file names can be case sensitive. For example, the file name ExtInfo.html, extinfo.html and ExtInfo.htm would be considered different file names by a UNIX server. Accurate typing is necessary for a sucessful Web connection.
Getting on the Information Super Highway
Hardware Getting on the information super highway will require that you have a properly equipped vehicle (see Figure 3). To travel at reasonable speed, a computer with a pentium class processor, a minimum of 16MB of RAM memory (32 MB or greater recommended) and 25 MB of free harddisk space, will be required. You can get on the highway with something slower, but you may feel like you are driving down the turnpike in a horse and buggy. The Internet is constantly expanding and moving faster. Be sure to reference a reliable source for current recommendations before purchasing a computer for Internet use.
Software You will need a Windows program that has the standard internet communication protocolprogram (TCP/IP stack is included in Windows 95) and a Web browser. Browsers (for example Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer) are programs that retrieve Web page files from Web servers and interpret the HTML code to display the Web page. Browsers will also allow you to print and download Web documents and graphics (be sure to respect any copyrighted material) and to store (bookmark) the URLs of your favorite Web site so you can return to them with a click of the mouse.
Getting Plugged In There are numerous routes to piloting your computer onto the information super highway, but generally the phone line is the on-ramp. Computers operate with discrete electronic signals (digital) while the phone system operates with variable electronic signals (analog). A modem is an electronic translator that allows these two systems to exchange information. Modems that are suitable for the Web will translate 28.8 Kilobytes per second or greater. Normally you will need to pay a toll before you can get on the information super highway because your Internet connection must pass through a special routing computer called a Gateway. The companies that provide you access through the Gateway, internet service providers (ISP), also provide electronic mail and will often provide some server disk space for your own Web pages.
SFRC Web Site -- Your Base-Camp for Exploring the Internet for Forest Resources Information
The Internet extends our reach for information around the planet and into the computers and minds of millions. A good Web site for tapping into the abundant resources of the Web is the UF School of Forest Resources and Conservation Extension (SFRC) Web site. The URL for this site is http://sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/ExtInfo.html. This site contains introductory information on key topics, has more detailed information in on-line publications, and contains extensive links to forestresources information Web sites. The following guide provides a brief description as to what the SFRC site currently offers. We are presently working on making all of our publications available as on-line versions. After this is accomplished, we hope to strengthen some of our topic pages with the expertise of new members of the extension team. The SFRC extension Web exists for the benefit of our clientele. Please send us suggestions so we can develop a Web site that serves your needs. Web related e-mail suggestions should be directed to Larry Korhnak at lvk@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu.
Tour of the SFRC Extension Web To begin the tour, start your Web browser (Netscape Navigator, Microsoft Explorer, or other) and enter the SFRC web address (http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/ExtInfo.html) into the location or address box. Remember that web addresses are case sensitive and do not include any spaces. When the SFRC home page loads, it will display a brief mission statement and a linked list of the Web site's main categories.
Extension Team, Newsletter, and Extension News Web Pages The SFRC Web Site introduces the members of the extension team and details their backgrounds, expertise and current activities. In our "News Letter" you can obtain summaries of recent workshops, views on current issues and important information pertaining to the Florida Forest Stewardship Program. Upcoming professional development and training opportunities are announced in the "Extension News and Schedule of Activities". You can also learn about what the extension team is currently working on and which publications are in progress.
Forest Stewardship Web Pages If you are interested in developing a management plan to enhance your land's renewable and multiple forest resources, you should visit the "Forest Stewardship Program"Web pages. These pages explain the benefits and details of this cooperative program.
Reforestation Web Pages The future of forestry is dependent on reforestation efforts. The "Reforestation" page links to on-line documents about forest regeneration methods, site preparation and vegetation management, for both pine and hardwoods.
Urban Forestry Web Pages As Florida's population expands, more and more of our forests ecosystems are being absorbed into urban areas. With proper planning and management, our urban forests can provide us many benefits. These Web pages introduce the issues and link to publications that provide a more detailed explanation of the ecology and benefits of urban forests.
Natural Resource Education Web Pages Florida's forest ecosystems provide our state with economic and public health benefits and improve the qualities of our lives in many ways. Learning about forest ecosystems often leads to a greater appreciation, concern, and care of the forest. The goal of the "Natural Resource Education" Web pages is to help people understand their interactions with forests so that we are inspired to become better stewards of the environment.
Alternate Enterprises Web Pages With proper planning and management, landowners can diversify their forest management, and improve both long-term and short-term financial returns. These Web pages link to publications that provide information to forest land managers about Christmas trees, fire wood, woody biomass, pine-straw, hunting, fishing and grazing. An important goal of these publications is to educate landowners about the impacts of these diverse practices.
Publications Web Pages Our "Publication" Web pages list all of SRFC's available extension publications. Progress has been made toward converting our publications to on-line versions, but this task is not complete. The publications that are available on-line will be in a different color of underlined type. When you point to an on-line publication, your mouse arrow will turn into a pointing hand that indicates a link. Some of the on-line versions of the publications contain color photographs that are not available in the printed versions. Information is also provided on how you can obtain the non on-line publications from your county extension office.
Forest Resource Links
The Internet is a loosely organized conglomerate of interconnected networks filled with oceans of information. The usefulness of the Web and its exploding popularity can in large part be attributed to companies that index, catalog, and catagorize Web pages, so that specific desired information can be easily located. These companies, for example Yahoo®, Hotbot®, and AltaVista®, provide search engines that allow you to locate a particular category of Web resources by typing in keywords or selecting progressively narrower categories. Because of the enormous amount of documents on the Web, the search engines can return thousands of Web sites that are related to your search criteria. However, the value of the Web pages in relation to your specific needs can be quite variable. The SFRC "Forest Resource Links" Web pages are the result of panning the search engine results for information nuggets.
A link in a web document is an electronic transfer point. Often links are identified by their different color of underlined text, although graphic figures are also used as links. When you place your mouse arrow on a link it changes to a pointing hand and the URL of the link appears on the bottom of your Web browser. Clicking on the link instructs your Web browser to connect to thecomputer where the Web file is stored and to have the file sent to your computer.
As discussed above in the "How does it work" section, each Web page has its own address or URL. If the Web document has moved to a different location, for example the document owner has changed Internet service providers, the URL will change. Therefore, link pages will often contain links that have old addresses. Clicking on a link with a URL that has changed since the link was created will return an "unable to locate server" message. This problem plagues all "Links" pages. If our links fail and you know the new address, please inform us so we can update our "Links" page. Also if you have discovered some forest resource Web nuggets, let us know so we can share your discovery. The fastest way to contact us is to send an e-mail to Larry Korhnak at lvk@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu.
Link Highlights
Link Index Sites. The first category of links is "Natural Resource Link Index Sites". The Southern Regional Extension Forester's (Bill Hubbard) "Electronic Forest Resource Library" is especially useful for those seeking forestry information associated with the southeastern United States. If your information needs have a broader geographic and topic scope, the "Natural Resources Research Information Pages" has hundreds of links for you to explore.
Each of the link index sites have a somewhat different focus, so explore them all. We have not had time to review all the links in the link index sites (there are thousands!) so we would appreciate your calling our attention to any 24 kt sites that you may find.
If you want to do your own search you may find the "Yahoo®! Forestry Search" to be a useful example. If you are interested in detailed information about the Web or many other information age topics, be sure to explore not only the "Information Techniques in Research Hot List" but the entire Web site. This Web site contains all the class notes for the University ofFlorida graduate course "Information Techniques in Research". The notes are easy to understand and they explore a useful variety of subjects such as e-mail, current software and hardware, graphics, on-line library searches, and Internet skills.
Florida Links. Links specific to the State of Florida are contained in the "Florida Links" category. Over 4,000 documents covering a vast range of agricultural subjects related to Florida but applicable in many other regions, are contained in the FAIRS mega Web site. The Florida Division of Forestry has a growing Web site with information focused on fire protection. The water management district sites are growing exponentially. Together with the USGS site they contain a flood of generalized information and specific data. The "Florida Game and Freshwater Fish Commission" Web site has attracted the attention of the Florida Communities Network and won their "Florida's Best Award". Wildlife viewers will appreciate the "where to go" and "what to do" guides to our state's treasured wildlife resources. Detailed information about wildlife and wildlife issues can also be found at UF's Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Web site.
Southeast Forestry Links. There are many similarities in forestry practices in the southeast. Information that is useful in one state may be applicable in many other southeastern states. By exploring these "Southeast Forestry Links" you may discover a new approach to a problem or issue. The Southern Regional Extension Forester (Bill Hubbard) interacts with forest resource professionals in thirteen southern states. His Web Site and on-line newsletters have a well informed, broad perspective on important current forestry issues. This site is rich in useful financial and urban forestry information. It also contains so many links that it was included in the link index sites as the "Electronic Forest Resource Library". Currently the "University of Georgia Extension Forest Resources" web site leads the southeastwith over one hundred on-line publications, but many other forest resource institutions are gaining a significant Web presence.
Selected Links to Other States. The number of forest resource related Web pages in the United States is growing and this section contains just a few. West coast forestry Web sites are particularity prominent. These Web pages are worth exploring because the growth and environmental issues that they have been facing may foreshadow future developments in the southeast. For example you can use the site search feature in the "Oregon State University College of Forestry" Web page to explore issues of sustainability, biodiversity and endangered species. The emotional heat of these issues is evident in the Web pages of "Pacific Northwest Forests".
Federal Government Natural Resource Links. The federal government is serious about constructing the information super highway and most of these links are mega Web sites. The amount of general and specific information is so great that many of these sites have on-site search capabilities and numerous regional Web sites.
Organizations. Everyone interested in forestry will find useful information at the "Society of American Foresters" Web site. If you are looking for a job, want to know their position on important policy issues, or just want to buy a cool "forester tie", you will want to visit and bookmark this site. State foresters and consulting foresters can link together to accomplish common goals at the "National Association of State Foresters" and "Association of Consulting Foresters" Web sites. Many of the other "Organization" links are keyed to the business aspects of forestry.
Selected International Links. All aspects of forestry are shifting toward a global scale and becoming increasingly more interconnected. Events taking place halfway around the world can impact the way we manage our forests in Florida,and the rest of the United States. The "Selected International Links" were picked to provide a more global perspective on forestry issues. The "Forest Finland" and "New Zealand Forestry" are particularly extensive Web sites. Use the "Natural Resources Research Information Pages" link index site to broaden your international views.
Urban forestry. Most people interact with trees in an urban setting and the value of the urban forest is becoming increasingly appreciated. These sites seek to educate the public about the important benefits of the urban forest and to teach proper planning and management. The "SFRC Urban Forestry Page" or the "Southern Regional Urban Forestry Technical Service Center" are good sites to introduce the subject and provide more detailed information.
Tree and Other Plant Information. Our forest ecosystems provide habitat for a wide variety of trees and plants. Several of the links in this category provide detailed information and graphics about Florida trees and plants. If you want a broader view, search the "Internet Directory for Botany" link index site.
Selected Water Links. Clean water is one of the most important resources that our forests provide. There are a multitude of water- related Web sites and the "Water Links Index" is a good site to start searching for a site that interests you. Wetlands are a related topic of special concern and some informative wetland Web links are also included.
Regulatory and Policy Links. Specific regulatory information concerning forestry is not often encountered on the Web. Most environmental regulation information is focused on water, wetlands and endangered species. The "FAIRS Regulation Publications" Web page provides a good introduction to environmental regulation. Plans for the future are to have a Web site that provides specific information concerning Florida's forestry best management practices.
Natural Resource educational Links. The "Florida Advisory Council on Environmental Education" stresses that environmental education is a key part of any plan to conserve, protect, or restore Florida's environmental resources. This site contains information vital to accomplishing this mission such as information about funding for programs and projects.
Forest Economic Links. The University of Georgia Extension Forest Economics Web site has over a dozen on-line publications. The USDA Forest Service "Forest Owners's Guide To Federal Income Taxes" is also a comprehensive guide.
Fire Links. Fire is a powerful multipurpose management tool. The "Florida Forest Protection Bureau" Web site is ablaze with information about prescribed burning and wildfires. This site is updated regularly and presents current issues, daily reports, and the latest tools available for using fire for the benefit of the forest ecosystem while protecting public health. You can also view hot fire photos, take virtual tours of Florida State Parks, or learn the Smokey the Bear song.
Selected Wildlife Links. The animals of the forest add an important dimension of life to forest ecosystems. The "UF Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Extension" brings this life to their Web pages with information on Florida wildlife from alligators to woodpeckers. In their Web pages you can learn how to manage habitat for wildlife goals on scales ranging from the backyard to the forest landscape. Of particular interest to many Floridians is the plight of the state's official animal, the Florida panther. You can learn what you can do to help save this species from the brink of extinction in the "Florida Panther Society" Web page.
Outdoor Recreation. Exploring the Internet is a good way to discover useful information about forest resources. However, reading text and viewing pixels on your computer screen are poorways to experience them! Explore our "Outdoor Recreation" links and then go explore the great outdoors.
Conclusions
The Internet is a global network of interlinked computers that allows millions of people to receive or send information from their home or office computer. Society has discovered that the Internet can be used as a powerful teaching and learning tool. The goals of this publication are to introduce you to the Internet and provide examples of how it can help you manage and enjoy forest resources. We hope you find this publication and our Web site, http://www.sfrc.ufl.edu/Extension/ExtInfo.h tml, to be useful launch pads for your trip on the information super highway. The Internet is an interactive, cooperative, and evolving environment. We hope that you will interact with us to help make the School of Forest Resources and Conservation Extension Web a valuable forest resources information source.
References
IFAS Information Technologies. 1996. The Internet and Agriculture. Agriculture and the Internet II Teaching Disc.
Steele, H. 1996. How to use the Internet. Emeryville (Ca): Ziff-Davis Press. 241p.
Zakon, RH. 1997. Hobbes' Internet Timeline V.3.0. Internet document at http://info.isoc.org/guest/zakon/Internet/History/H it.html
1 .This document is one of a series of the School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida.
2 .Larry V. Korhnak, Senior Biological Scientist, and Mary L. Duryea, Ph.D., Associate Professor, School of Forest Resources and Conservation, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.