The UNESCO Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems, or EOLSS, a huge online encyclopedia, equivalent to approximately 200 volumes in print, is now available to the Stanford community.
The intent of the EOLSS is to provide a knowledge base in support of sustainability of all life support systems throughout the world, knowledge to help us understand the complexities of the system in which we live. This encompasses a broad spectrum of topics ranging from basic biogeochemical sciences to science policy, economics, management, engineering and technology.
The topics covered are divided into 16 broad themes, as follows:
1. EARTH AND ATMOSPHERIC SCIENCES
2. MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES
3. BIOLOGICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES
4. SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES
5. PHYSICAL SCIENCES, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
6. CHEMICAL SCIENCES, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
7. WATER SCIENCES, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
8. ENERGY SCIENCES, ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
9. ENVIRONMENTAL AND ECOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND MANAGEMENT
10. FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
11. HUMAN RESOURCES POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
12. NATURAL RESOURCES POLICY AND MANAGEMENT
13. DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC RESOURCES
14. INSTITUTIONAL AND INFRASTRUCTURAL RESOURCES
15. TECHNOLOGY, INFORMATION AND SYSTEM MANAGEMENT RESOURCES
16. REGIONAL SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT REVIEWS
In addition to a browse function, which allows users to page through the encyclopedia thematically, there is a full text search feature. Each chapter includes links to "related chapters" which is also an effective way to identify relevant content. All chapters are written and kept up-to-date by experts in the field, and include numerous references. The EOLSS is pitched at an undergraduate level, designed to appeal to a wide spectrum of users and provide articles with high educational and research relevance as well as popular appeal.
A link to the Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems can be found on the Stanford University Libraries and Academic Information Resources Databases A-Z page or the database can be accessed directly at http://greenplanet.eolss.net/EolssLogn/InsLogin.aspx.
