 |
Checklist - Vascular Plants
of Texas |
This is a draft
or prototype system functioning as a 'test bed' for various procedures,
both botanical and computational, that facilitate digital expression of
the vascular flora of Texas as a taxonomic checklist. It will eventually
function as a medium through which the user can access available information
(images, specimen data, descriptions, keys, distribution maps), using either
technical or vernacular names. The system works by processing a 'checklist'
data file to produce three products; family-level HTML pages with genera
and species ordered alphabetically, query menus carrying links to these
files (panel below), and a full text index that includes additional information.
The 'checklist' data file was originally formed by combining information
contained in a 'Texas' output file from the Synthesis
of the North American Flora with a similar file derived from
A
Checklist of the Vascular Plants of Texas. This combined
file was then processed to adjust higher level classification to follow
Cronquist's system and other elements to produce a spreadsheet base file
that carries over 16,000 rows of names (see summary),
both 'accepted' and 'synonyms', and internal coding that should allow transitions
between these two states. As errors or adjustments are needed, the
spreadsheet file can be edited (see edit
tracking). The new version is then processed to 'refresh'
or update HTML pages and the full text index. Future development
of this view of the Texas flora, in terms of composition and nomenclature,
will probably involve reference - during processing - to the combined Texas
herbarium specimen database. Texas herbaria contributing to this
resource provide firm statements with regard to 'accepted' names in that
names present in individual herbarium datasets represent names in use by
curators of Texas collections. Thus, reference to the combined specimen
data set could allow a 'consensus' check in at least some of those cases
where taxonomic opinion comes into play. This checklist system could
be dynamic, i.e., refreshed each time the herbarium specimen database is
updated, and this would reflect curatorial decisions of Texas botanists.
More complex issues will be resolved via dialog among those contributing
to the project.
Current
function: A click on the DFT logo above, on this page, will return
to a draft DFT base page. Links on the "browse" elements of the selection
menu (below) will produce family listings in rough taxonomic order (local
system [mostly FNA] for non-flowering - can be adjusted, mostly Cronquist
angiosperms, by subclass - can be adjusted), and alphabetical sequence.
Vernacular family names, also in alphabetical sequence, are also from a
file that can be adjusted as needed.
The "String
Query" option will open a query box in the lower window. The system
will search the full text index for any word entered into this box by the
user. Returns from the index will come to this window.
A click on
the bluebonnet in the lower selection panel will bump the menu up a level
whereas a click on a family name from this menu will produce a family listing
page in this window. A click on the DFT logo of the family listing
page will produce this page and the 'Texas Vascular Plant Checklist' link
will put the highest level selection menu in the lower panel.