FARRAR, DONALD R*, SUSAN J ALDWORTH, AND HARRY T HORNER. General Graduate Studies Program and Department of Botany, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-1020. - Development of an illustrated booklet and hypertext database of 100 species on the Iowa State University Campus.
An illustrated booklet and hypertext database are being developed to
help students registered for various plant science courses locate and
identify woody plant species on the Iowa State University (ISU)
Campus. Of the 300 species of plants listed in the Botany 356
(Dendrology) course, 100 species growing on Campus were selected for
inclusion in this project. The booklet and hypertext database are,
however, specifically designed to cater to a broad audience, including
current and potential students in the plant sciences, the general
student population, faculty, staff, alumni, visitors and the
home-landscaper. The booklet is designed to provide a self-guided,
walking tour of 100 species of trees and shrubs of ISU Campus.
Description of each species includes: (1) a detailed map indicating
the location of the plant on Campus; (2) pen-and-ink drawings of
important identifying characteristics; and (3) text information about
the identification, distribution, ecology and uses (wood, wildlife and
horticulture). The on-line hypertext database integrates color
photographs (specimens on Campus, leaves, flowers, fruit, bark,
habitat, uses) and text information to provide a comprehensive,
"virtual tour" of these 100 species. These two forms of
presentation-the paper-based "field guide" booklet and the
multidimensional hypertext database-are designed to complement one
another to provide a valuable educational resource utilizing the
wealth of mature specimens of both native and exotic trees and shrubs
on the ISU Campus. A CD will be developed to include a general
pictorial survey of the ISU Campus, and the on-line hypertext
database. Both the CD and the booklet will be available as a single
package.
Key words: hypertext database, illutstrated booklet, teaching, trees