Three search techniques reviewed in a 3 minute video:

• using AND, OR, NOT
• quotations
• truncation *

OR statements are very handy for taxa and geographic searches, because information isn't "indexed" in hierarchies. OR is usually used to connect synonyms, but you can use it to sweep in all relevant taxa or geographic locations.

For example: monterey OR "central coast" or "santa cruz"  The quotes force the two worded locations to be searched as a phrase.

Another example: archaebacteri* OR methanobacteri*  The truncation * finds various endings (like bacteriA and bacteriUM) and saves you time!