Species Banks a GBIF mechanism to provide electronic access to quality species information Peter H. Schalk, Marc Brugman ETI, University of Amsterdam Tinde van Andel National GBIF Node, The Netherlands Wouter Los Netherlands Delegation to GBIF

Species Banks a GBIF mechanism to provide electronic access to quality species information In this talk - Running GBIF programmes - Species Banks: what is it, what should it be? - ETI’s Linnaeus II software to build species banks - Advantages, choices - Request - Demonstration of NLBIF Species Bank (

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) Current GBIF Programmes - Developing standards for interoperation of biodiversity databases (DADI) - Helping to complete the Electronic Catalogue of Names of Known Organisms (ECAT) - Promoting the digitizing of natural history collection data (DiGIT) - Preparing the foundation for a comprehensive plan for outreach and capacity building (OCB) Future activity: - Species Banks …….. It is largely up to the GBIF participants and associated parties to shape this programme and contribute to its development. An inventory of the user requirements is necessary. We need INPUT from information providers as well as users. GBIF needs white papers, demos …

Global Biodiversity Information Facility Species Banks What will Species Bank consist of? E.g.: - Scientific Name, synonyms, common names (ECAT link) - Taxonomic hierarchy/hierarchies (accomodating multiple visions) - Full description, illustrations (multimedia) - Identification information (to be used in computer aided keys) - Biogeographic information (from collection & observation data) - Ecological information (interspecies relations, ecosystem function) - Molecular information (links to gen banks) - Conservation status (links to other databases) - Uses, other information ….? A start by NLBIF and ETI: - approach other ‘players’ discuss standards, protocols - prepare white paper(s) in discussion group - organize workshop (with GBIF) - prepare report for GBIF  ACTKEY DELTA/ INTKEY LINNAEUS SB toolkit LUCID etc. ?

Global Biodiversity Information Facility Species Banks In report to GBIF - Species Bank concepts - Data providers and user groups - Targeted development strategy - Data standards, exchange protocols, interoperability (TDWG) - Interaction with DiGIT and ECAT subprogrammes - Data acquisition and information management mechanisms - Human resource networks, data validation principles - IPR and related issues - Outline implementation programme - Required budget and financial mechanisms SB Activities in The Netherlands - Continue with tool development (Linnaeus II family)  - Development of Species Banks  - Assist GBIF partners

GBIF: Sharing Knowledge Creating a Species Bank: using Linnaeus II tools A multifunctional interactive software package that combines taxonomic (multimedia) databases, hierarchies, literature database, glossary, method section, computer assisted identification tools and a geographic information system in one standard environment. Import/export functions warrant communication with other databases and information systems. Linnaeus II off-lineon-line

GBIF: Sharing Knowledge Linnaeus II user community: A. The taxonomists & biodiversity specialists. Knowledge Providers - support with ICT instruments for data management and analysis - assist to implement and use ICT tools - provide a mechanism for e-publishing B. The users of taxonomic and biodiversity information. ‘Society’ - science (pure and applied) - education (various levels) - government: policy and management - commerce/industry - laymen/society in general information providers information appliers E T I Information flow ICT tools/supportFeedback/needs User community AUser community B 1,500 users 25,000 users

GBIF: Sharing Knowledge Advantages of the Linnaeus II software tools - Free of charge! - Userfriendly data management systems - Cross platform (Windows / Macintosh) - XML export allows porting to other systems - Off-line AND on-line output (CD-ROM / Internet) - Broad scope information products (Species Banks) - hierarchical taxonomic database - multimedia capable - computer aided identification (matrix or rule-based) - geographic information system / searches - literature and glossary databases - Broad application in different fields of use - Software is modular in set-up and has regular updates - Helpdesk available for technical support - Electronic publication service for e-monographs (on CD-ROM/DVD-ROM) But …. don’t forget: choose the ICT tool according to your needs, there are many e.g. LUCID, DELTA-INTkey, ACTkey …

GBIF: LII Species Banks Tools 1 Linnaeus II Software for data manage Ment vs 2.5 Experts’ own Species Bank Web Site Import & export e-monographs 2003: 90 CD-ROMs e.g. World Biodiversity Database 2002: 230,000 taxa on-line Users Db’s The Internet 4 Linnaeus II Software For Web Publishing Species Bank Web Site Species 2000 user independence Linnaeus II Web Publisher GBIF 2 Run-time vs 3 XML export EMBnet

GBIF: Sharing Knowledge GBIFEMBnetETI branchessp2000 Validated taxon names Db: Synonyms, descriptions, illustrations, maps On-line Links to other db’s ETI’s World Biodiversity Database 2002: 230,000 Taxa on-line Name finder tool 00 Taxonomic views & search Taxonomists database 3,700 specialists Geographic Search tool Modular Identification tool GIS Planning &

Global Biodiversity Information Facility a collaborative effort Lets get started with a Species Bank Partnership? GBIF needs YOU! -GBIF depends on the (full) co-operation of the scientific community to provide access to the basic information. -Scientific information needs to be shared to have real value! -The national GBIF NODES can help you making your information available on-line. -NLBIF and ETI will be happy to answer questions and assist.