Pamphlets
GBIF has published a number of promotional pamphlets that give a quick introduction to a number of GBIF-related issues.
Making biodiversity data freely available to benefit science and society
Founded and funded by governments in 2001, GBIF is the world's largest multilateral initiative for enabling free access to biodiversity data via the Internet. GBIF's diverse Participants include primarily countries and international organisations. GBIF also has formal partnerships with relevant international treaty bodies.
A quick guide to GBIF web platforms
GBIF is a growing and diverse network of Participants and partners located around the world. To facilitate participation and an adequate flow of information, GBIF maintains a number of communication channels. The most relevant of these are the GBIF web platforms. These platforms offer information tailored to specific interests, profile and level of engagement within GBIF.
GBIF and Open Access
GBIF’s fundamental operating principle is free and open access to biodiversity data. The GBIF Governing Board has adopted recommendations on open access to encourage research councils, other funding agencies and private foundations to promote that proposals for funding for biodiversity research include a plan for the maintenance and sharing of the digital biodiversity data generated in proposed projects and promote that species and specimen level data and associated metadata that are generated in funded projects are made publicly available through mechanisms cooperating with GBIF, within a specified period after completion of the supported research.
GBIF Data Policy
GBIF’s mission is to make the world’s biodiversity data freely and openly available via the Internet. Biodiversity data such as those mediated by GBIF are necessary for the advancement of science, the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, natural resource management, policy-making, and education and public awareness.
GBIF and Repatriation of Data to Countries of Origin
It is well known that the greatest concentrations of biodiversity are found in developing countries, but most of the data and information about it is located in developed countries. GBIF was brought into existence largely to help redress this asymmetry with regard to data about where species occur and about scientific names. The GBIF data portal can help countries of origin find sources of these types of data.
GBIF Partnerships
GBIF and its many partners work to mobilise data and put it to use, and to improve search mechanisms, data and metadata standards, web services, and the other components of an Internet-based information infrastructure for biodiversity. This work is complementary among the partners; none duplicates the work of others. The data and services provided by GBIF have become essential to and integrated into the products of many other initiatives, as well as being of direct benefit to users and data providers. GBIF also facilitates networking (both IT and sociological) among its Participants, partners and the public.
See also our Booklets and Annual Reports.
