Biodiversity informatics: challenges and opportunities for applying biodiversity information to management and conservation

Abstract

Researchers, land managers, and the public currently often are unable to obtain useful biodiversity information because the subject represents such a large component of biology and ecology, and systems to compile and organize this information do not exist. Information on vascular plant taxonomy, as addressed by the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and key partners, serves as an example of current efforts to integrate information. Current areas of informatics research related to online systems are focused on improving searches and intelligent systems, but are limited by available information. I recommend 5 steps to improve access to biodiversity information. For even a small portion of the world's information on biodiversity to become available online, sites need to be able to integrate information from multiple sources and search capacity needs to be improved and focused. In addition, incentives or public policy need to promote the use of standards, the long-term maintenance of data sets, the maintenance of institutions for maintaining and distributing information, and more careful use of limited resources.

Parent Publication

• Biodiversity conservation—a place holder: introduction to papers in this issue.

Citation

Kagan, James S. 2006. Biodiversity informatics: challenges and opportunities for applying biodiversity information to management and conservation. In: Olson, Deanna H., editor. Northwestern Naturalist. 87(1): 80-85