The Importance of Biodiversity E-infrastructures for Megadiverse Countries

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.1002204
• Publication Date: 2015-07-23T17:44:36Z
• Authors: Dora A. L. Canhos; Mariane S. Sousa-...; Sidnei de Souza; Leonor C. Maia; João R. Stehmann; Vanderlei P. Canhos; Renato De Giovanni; Maria B. M. Bonac...; Wouter Los; A. Townsend Peterson
• Keywords: Data Sharing; Citizen Science; Data access

Addressing the challenges of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development requires global cooperation, support structures, new governance models to integrate diverse initiatives achieve massive, open exchange data, tools, technology. The traditional paradigm sharing scientific knowledge through publications is not sufficient meet contemporary demands that require only results but also knowledge, skills analyze data. E-infrastructures are key in facilitating access data providing framework for collaboration. Here we discuss importance e-infrastructures public interest lack long-term funding policies. We present example Brazil's speciesLink network, an e-infrastructure provides free primary associated tools. SpeciesLink currently integrates 382 datasets from 135 national institutions 13 abroad, openly ~7.4 million records, 94% which voucher specimens. Just as important network providers users. In 2014, more than 95% its users were Brazil, demonstrating local enabling promoting use knowledge. From outset, has been sustained project-based funding, normally grants 2–4-year periods. between projects, there short-term crises trying keep system operational, a fact observed portals, well social physical sciences platforms even computing services portals. last decade, movement propelled many web Adequate policies unfortunately did follow same tempo, now may perish.