How we build the encyclopedia

Scientific classification

The public tree presents Life, Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species where those ranks occur in the adopted source. Intermediate clades remain available in Advanced classification. Missing ranks are not invented.

Taxonomy is a dated source-backed snapshot, not a claim that every scientific authority uses the same names or boundaries. Each record links to its classification source.

Publication and review

A public research profile may pass automated identity, reference and media checks while still awaiting final human scientific review. Those pages carry a notice and are excluded from search-engine indexing until approved. A public page is not a claim of expert certification.

Private drafts and internal editorial notes remain private. Saving an edit does not mark it scientifically reviewed.

Original educational writing

Profiles explain biological information in original prose and link to supporting references. Research and drafting may use automated tools. Uncertain or unsupported details should be left out or identified as unresolved.

Classification links are distinct from ecological relationships. The ecological network displays recorded, reviewed links with evidence; the absence of a link is not proof that no relationship exists.

Photographs and licensing

Each image retains its creator, original source and individual license. Follow the current gallery image’s credit and license links before reusing it. A Creative Commons license for a photograph does not automatically license every other element of this site.

Display images may be resized, converted to WebP or framed using a non-destructive crop. Originals and provenance are retained. Scientific imaging can use experimental colors; captions provide context where known.

Learning from the collection

Quiz questions, flashcards and practice games reuse the same public classification and sourced content as the profiles. Quiz scores measure answers to those recorded questions. Card progress is a learner’s own assessment, not a qualification.

Corrections and questions

Scientific knowledge changes, and errors can occur. Send the page address, the concern and a supporting reference. Image-rights and privacy requests reach the same private administrator inbox.