Website of the Week

Did you know that Roses, Apples, and Almonds are related? They are all part of the Rosaceae family, which includes 2,830 known species.

Discover interesting scientific relationships between plants, animals, fungi and more with the Encyclopedia of Life (EOL), a comprehensive database of the world's organisms. EOL features beautiful images, videos, maps, detailed descriptions, and taxonomies of all life on Earth. Because this database features known organisms that interact with one another, it can be used to better understand greater ecosystems (and potentially pest control). There is even a set of really useful tools for identifying organisms, including an online forum.

And, if you're interested in learning more about the biodiversity of the world, there are great resources available on the same site including:

• Podcast Series
• Field Guides
• Games for Educators and Students
• Biodiversity Heritage Library  

The best part: this database is totally free and accessible from anywhere there is internet! The content is also available in over 15 languages.

Take some time to explore the world around you through the Encyclopedia of Life! http://eol.org/

Review by Lauren McFall, SWC Librarian