httpwebwitch - 4:33 pm on Jul 29, 2005 (gmt 0)

1. Is XHTML and CSS the way to go?

yes
or at least HTML (strict) and CSS

2. Should the whole site be dynamically written in PHP? There will be several PHP components in it anyway.

yes, if you're comfortable with that

3. Should all these individual species be entered in a MySQL database to make life easier?

yes, definitely

4. (skipped)

5. Is phpBB a good choice of forum software?

the best IMO.

6. (skipped)

7. Should I kick off with a template or build the whole thing from scratch myself? If so then where is a reputable source of suitable templates?

none. make your own.

8. Should I build the whole thing around a blog? If so where to start?

No, dont' start with the blog. Make an authority content site with articles and features and dynamic content, or whatever have you. Assemble it with all the rich features you want and a slick navigation structure. Then add a blog as a supplimental feature.