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Peer Review

BRYOPHYTES

Reviewed:

May 24, 2005 by Biology
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 4.4 stars
Content Quality: 4.5 stars
Effectiveness: 4.4 stars
Ease of Use: 4.2 stars
Overview:

This site, published by Southern Illinois University, is a resource devoted to Bryology, the branch of plant science concerned with the study of mosses, liverworts and hornworts. It provides information on the classification, structural features, natural history, ecology and evolutionary relationships of these plants. Additional information is provided about faculty members and students who have performed research in Bryology. The first link includes an introduction, summarizing features of each bryophyte group. A table is also given that shows a comparison of each group based on thirteen morphological and reproductive structures. A second link has images of selected mosses, liverworts and hornworts. This link includes images of other plants, algae and fungi. The photographs are of excellent quality. A third link provides references to monographs available for the hornworts, including directions for sequencing samples. A fourth link has a summary of classification, from class to genus, and photographs are included for a few genera. A fifth link contains protocols for establishing axenic cultures in the laboratory. A sixth link lists the faculty members at Southern Illinois University currently working on bryophytes with contact information. A seventh link lists the publications on liverworts by the faculty at SIU. The final link within the site provides links to other sites on bryophytes.
Type of Material:

Most of the information is presented as a collection/database in HTML, with a few pictures and links to other sites containing HTML and pictures.
Recommended Uses:

This is a good resource to learn more about Bryology and especially useful for students in introductory botany classes and students interested in bryophyte research.
Technical Requirements:

Technical requirements include an Internet browser and the ability to view pictures.
Identify Major Learning Goals:

Users will learn about Bryology and gain a better understanding of research of bryophytes as well as detailed investigations of thalloid liverworts.
Target Student Population:

For the introductory part of this site, the targeted population could be beginning biology or botany students. For the classification summary and protocols for culturing and molecular work, the population would likely be upper level botany students or graduate students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

The paragraphs introducing the groups of bryophytes could be read by anyone including students with limited botanical knowledge. However, there is quite a bit of terminology (e.g., terms like gametophyte, sporophyte, vascular, haploid) that would require students to have some botany background. To attempt the culturing or molecular work, the student would have to have some laboratory experience with the methods and media.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

  • Introductory information on bryophytes is clear and accurate
  • Pictures add to the content quality
  • Background information on bryophyte scientists adds credibility to site
  • Other resources provided add to this site's completeness
  • The content is accurate and up-to-date.
Concerns:

  • Area of emphasis (thalloid liverworts) is good, although additional information is needed for other bryophytes to make site complete
  • Taxonomy is generally OK, but needs to be updated (although it is noted that moss classification has undergone several recent changes and it's sometimes hard to keep up)

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

  • Builds knowledge on bryophyte classification and research
  • Covers a variety of topics that can be effective for lower level or upper level botany students
  • Inspirational for students interested in bryophytes
  • Provides realistic and interesting background on students (and their outcomes) for specializing in Bryology
  • Additional resources are good for bryophyte literature research
Concerns:

  • Information is not necessarily designed for organized instruction, although very interesting for students who want to know about bryophyte research
  • Some of the photographs are very useful, although limited in number
  • Labels for morphological and reproductive stuctures would enrich the material

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

  • Clear and concise information presented on one page
  • Fairly well organized
  • No major bugs
  • Straightforward design provides intuitive navigation
Concerns:

  • Requires searching to find specific information
  • There are a few missing links to the pictures of students and specimens
Other Issues and Comments:

This is a much-needed site for promoting Bryology Education and Research. The authors provide a credible and interesting background on bryophytes. There are some interesting features of the students who have done bryophyte research and this information serves as a great inspiration to prospective students with similar interests. This could be further enhanced with a more comprehensive overview of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts that provide many pictures of structures used in classification.
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