VertNet: A New Model for Biodiversity Data Sharing

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1000309
• Publication Date: 2010-02-15T15:13:54Z
• Authors: Heather Constable; Robert Guralnick; John Wieczorek; Carol Spencer; A. Townsend Peterson
• Keywords: Global biodiversity

Biodiversity is in a crisis caused by multiple human impacts on the environment [1]–[3]. The immediate and critical tasks addressing this are to examine global biodiversity patterns document changes through time space order understand factors contributing loss of [4]. Meeting challenge has emerged as priority [5]–[7] that requires approaches mobilize data across broad geographic taxonomic ranges.

The community vertebrate natural history collections begun meet establishing social technological infrastructures provide open access species occurrence participation funding from US National Science Foundation (NSF) Global Information Facility (GBIF). One result VertNet, publicly accessible database around world. VertNet currently consists four existing networks: Mammal Networked System (MaNIS) (http://manisnet.org – mammals [8]); Ornithological (ORNIS) (http://ornisnet.org birds); HerpNET (http://herpnet.org amphibians reptiles); FishNet 2 (http://www.fishnet2.net fishes). These networks collectively over 52 million records 70 institutions, which represent about 70% all GBIF. was created develop tools infrastructure necessary make these distributed available standard format maximize their potential for understanding protecting biodiversity. GBIF work synergistically enhance mobilization efforts. identified important role will play its new emphasis decentralization services applications [5]. In particular, provides maintenance services, including cleaning indexing, thus removing development deployment burdens many fundamental GBIF.

Data accessed audience at high frequency 2.5 per week. continue grow, even those whose extramural have expired; MaNIS, example, grown 17 institutions under original grant 38 with waiting list 31 more be added network resources permit. same enthusiasm mirrored other three networks. This rapid growth demonstrates an sociological shift skepticism sharing.

Ironically, success become biggest challenge, straining architectures demanding scalable sustainable solution. Below, we perspectives technical developments brought point discuss solutions anticipated challenges.