Global Biodiversity Information FacilityGlobal Biodiversity Information Facility

Background Presentation for

Cyberinfrastructure for

Environmental Research & Education Workshop

Boulder, Colorado

31 October 2002

Meredith Lane

Communications Officer, GBIF

mlane@gbif.org

www.gbif.orgGB

IF

NGO & science-driven resources and networks, mid-late 1990sNGO & science-driven resources and networks, mid-late 1990s

CONABIOCONABIO

INBioINBio

FishNetFishNetGenBankGenBank

EMBLEMBL

ANGISANGIS

ABIABI

AETFATAETFAT

WDCMWDCM

WCMCWCMC

EIOnetEIOnet

ERINERIN

NBIINBII

CONABIOCONABIO

INBioINBio

NABINNABINNABINNABIN

IABINIABINIABINIABIN

Politically-driven content networks, mid-late 1990sPolitically-driven content networks, mid-late 1990sPolitically-driven content networks, mid-late 1990sPolitically-driven content networks, mid-late 1990s

MEGASCIENCE FORUM of the OECD MEGASCIENCE FORUM of the OECD ((became Global Science Forum after the GBIF became Global Science Forum after the GBIF recommendation was adoptedrecommendation was adopted))

Examples of Working Groups:Examples of Working Groups:

Neutron SourcesNeutron Sources

Nuclear PhysicsNuclear Physics

Radio AstronomyRadio Astronomy

Biological Informatics (1996–1999)Biological Informatics (1996–1999)

• Subgroup : Biodiversity InformaticsSubgroup : Biodiversity Informatics

• Subgroup : NeuroinformaticsSubgroup : Neuroinformatics

Recommended that the Recommended that the MegascienceMegascience ForumForum endorse development of endorse development of the the Global Biodiversity Information FacilityGlobal Biodiversity Information Facility

Nature Nature ISIS Networks Networks

NBIINBII

CONABIOCONABIO

INBioINBio

EIOnetEIOnet

ERINERIN

GBIF visionGBIF visionGBIF visionGBIF vision

NABINNABINNABINNABIN

IABINIABINIABINIABIN

NBIINBII

CONABIOCONABIO

INBioINBio

EIOnetEIOnet

ERINERIN

FishNetFishNetGenBankGenBank

EMBLEMBL

ANGISANGIS

ABIABI

AETFATAETFAT

WDCMWDCM

WCMCWCMC

Characteristics of this information domain:Characteristics of this information domain:

BiodiversitBiodiversity Itselfy Itself

Developing WorldDeveloping WorldBiodiversity Biodiversity InformationInformation

Developed WorldDeveloped World

RATIONALE RATIONALE forfor a global biodiversity informatics effort a global biodiversity informatics effort

The biodiversity information domain isThe biodiversity information domain is vast, vast, complex, complex, andand critically important critically important to society.to society.

However, most existing biodiversity data and However, most existing biodiversity data and information are information are not at present dynamically not at present dynamically accessible, accessible, and and therefore are not yet fully usefultherefore are not yet fully useful..

Recent technological and political developments Recent technological and political developments provide exciting provide exciting researchresearch opportunities in opportunities in biodiversity informaticsbiodiversity informatics. .

GBIFGBIF

• An international scientific co-operative project based on a multilateral agreement (MoU) between countries and international organisations, dedicated to:

• establishing an interoperable, distributed network of databases containing scientific biodiversity information, in order to:

• make the world’s scientific biodiversity data universally and freely available via the internet,

• with initial focus on species- and specimen-level data, and

• with links to molecular, genetic, ecological data levels

What is GBIF?What is GBIF?G

BIF

GBIF PRINCIPLESGBIF PRINCIPLES

• Equitable sharing of information and its Equitable sharing of information and its benefitsbenefits

• Providers maintain and upgrade their own Providers maintain and upgrade their own data data

• Public-private partnershipsPublic-private partnerships

• User-drivenUser-driven

• TransparentTransparent

• Best-practice use of technologies, standards Best-practice use of technologies, standards and proceduresand procedures

• Protection of intellectual property rightsProtection of intellectual property rights

• International and inter-institutional International and inter-institutional coordinationcoordination

The Market for GBIF’s Products:The Market for GBIF’s Products:

• Biodiversity knowledge management at the global level

• Global biodiversity policy

• Natural resource management at regional and national levels

• Biological research support at global, regional, national and local levelsGB

IF

GBIF RelationshipsGBIF Relationships

GLOBALGlobal Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

Clearinghouse Mechanism (CHM)

NATIONAL

CBIN (Canada)CONABIO (Mexico)

ERIN (Australia) InBIO (Costa Rica)

NBII (U.S.A.)

REGIONAL Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN)North American Biodiversity Information Network (NABIN)

European Information Organization Network (EIOnet)

LOCAL

Many examples: Natural History Museum

Collections, research databases, etc.

GBIF RelationshipsGBIF Relationships

COMMUNITY

Species 2000 TDWGOBIS

GenBankProtein DataBank

RESEARCHFishBaseFlyBaseHerpNet

GOVERNMENT

GBIF Participant Nodes Clearinghouse Mechanism (CHM)

WCMCNCEAS

ORGANIZATION

NatureServeETI

BIOSISCABI

Characteristics of a Megascience EffortCharacteristics of a Megascience Effort

Something that cannot be undertaken by only one countrySomething that cannot be undertaken by only one country expenseexpense no one country has access to all the datano one country has access to all the data

Some components of the research can be done at the national or Some components of the research can be done at the national or regional levels, but some must be truly globalregional levels, but some must be truly global

Usually infrastructural in nature (e.g. CERN) Usually infrastructural in nature (e.g. CERN) Involves Public-Private PartnershipsInvolves Public-Private Partnerships Scientists do some research in their own laboratories and some Scientists do some research in their own laboratories and some

in the megafacilityin the megafacility Involves collaboration among many scientists and othersInvolves collaboration among many scientists and others

• The topic is hugely inclusive and affects many disciplinesThe topic is hugely inclusive and affects many disciplines

Molecular Biological Informatics“bioinformatics”

Biodiversity & Ecosystem Informatics

Age of “molecular biology” virtually equals age of computers (ca. 50

yr); > 95% of all data are digitized

Knowledgebase is 5X older than computers (ca.

250 yr); < 5% is digitized

Many of the data automatically share common language (i.e., ATGC, amino acids, etc.) with binary structure

Data languages are immensely complex on biological and sociological levels (no standardization; not binary)

Minimum of $500M spent per year on "bioinformatics"

$50M per year spent on biodiversity informatics, even though aminimum of $1B is spent per year on environmental observations globally

Retroactive Data Capture is a Megascience ActivityRetroactive Data Capture is a Megascience Activity

Electronic Electronic Catalog of Catalog of

NamesNames

Electronic Electronic Catalog of Catalog of

NamesNames

Climate Climate DataData

Climate Climate DataData

GenBank, GenBank, et al.et al.

GenBank, GenBank, et al.et al.

Specialized Specialized Search Search EnginesEngines

Data Data Access/Access/Interop-Interop-erabilityerability

Sequence Sequence Data Data (RNA, (RNA,

protein, etc.)protein, etc.)

Sequence Sequence Data Data (RNA, (RNA,

protein, etc.)protein, etc.)

Ecosystems Ecosystems DataData

Ecosystems Ecosystems DataData

GeospatialGeospatialDataData

GeospatialGeospatialDataData

Ecological Ecological DataData

Ecological Ecological DataData

Biological Biological Specimen Specimen

DataData

Content area responsibilities of GBIFContent area responsibilities of GBIF

Existing Existing responsibilities of responsibilities of

other agenciesother agenciesGBIF will enable synergism among existing GBIF will enable synergism among existing investments that is not possible at presentinvestments that is not possible at present

How GBIF’s Tasks Were ChosenHow GBIF’s Tasks Were Chosen

ContentContent

ConnectivityConnectivityComputational CapacitiesComputational Capacities

What is needed?What is needed?

ContentContentContentContent ContentContent

ContentContent

ContentContentContentContent

ContentContentContentContent

ContentContent

ContentContent

ContentContentContentContent

ContentContent

ContentContent

ContentContent

• 1.5 - 3 B 1.5 - 3 B specimens specimens worldwideworldwide

New data fromresearch andmonitoring

Data fromstatic media

Active Databases(cross-disciplinary)

Active Databases(disciplinary)

LegacyDatasets

DataEntryTools

DataEntryTools

Processing

Bulk Data

(T3 & up)

Information

(T1, ASDL)

Co

nte

nt

Har

dw

are

So

ftw

are

Transport DeliveryAppend-only

STRUCTUREDDATA

ANALYZEDDATA

RAWDATA

ENTERTAIN-MENT

EDUCATION INFORMATION

Appropriate

Capacity

Dynamic,

Data Storage

DataManagement

Tools

DataDescription,Cleansing,

Indexing Tools

Cross-DatabaseLinking Tools

DataCorrelation& Analysis

Tools

ToolsPresentation

ReportingTools

Example:Example:

User =User =

Decision-Decision-maker maker working onworking onlocation of location of Wildlife Wildlife ReservesReserves

Species distribution

GIS layers

Single species model

Environmental Decision-SupportEnvironmental Decision-Support

Example:Example:

User =User =

Decision-Decision-maker maker working on working on location of location of Wildlife Wildlife ReservesReserves

Combined single species models

“Species Richness” and/or

“Habitat conservation” models

Using Biodiversity and other data Using Biodiversity and other data interoperablyinteroperably

Presentation tools can simplify the analysis for end usersPresentation tools can simplify the analysis for end users

Dave PetersDave PetersTasmanian Parks Dept.Tasmanian Parks Dept.

•250 years of literature 250 years of literature

• ImagesImages • ArtArt

• Film / SoundFilm / Sound

• Sequences …Sequences …

COMPLEXCOMPLEX LEGACYLEGACY

Megascience is Strategic Megascience is Strategic

Beneficiaries Beneficiaries of thisof this Megascience Effort Megascience Effort

Biodiversity-rich countriesBiodiversity-rich countries repatriation of datarepatriation of data access to global biodiversity knowledge-baseaccess to global biodiversity knowledge-base

Information networks (CHM, IABIN, EIOnet, et al.)Information networks (CHM, IABIN, EIOnet, et al.)

Governments and others responsible for management of living Governments and others responsible for management of living natural resources natural resources

Private Sector, e.g.Private Sector, e.g. agriculture, forestry, fishing... agriculture, forestry, fishing... publishing and biotechnologypublishing and biotechnology pharmaceuticals and other health-related areaspharmaceuticals and other health-related areas

Scientific research Scientific research Education (formal and informal)Education (formal and informal)

Characteristics of GBIFCharacteristics of GBIF

• Equitable sharing of information and its benefits

• Providers retain control over their own data

• Protection of intellectual property rights

• Complement existing biodiversity information networks

• Open facility architecture

• Reduces duplications of effort

• Coordinated by Secretariat staff, but

• Most of the real work de-centralized

GB

IF

MembershipMembership

• Voting membership is open to any country or economy that agrees to:

Sign MoU

Make required financial contribution

Share scientific biodiversity data

Establish a national GBIF node

• Associate (non-voting) membership is open to any country, economy or organisation that agrees to:

Sign MoU

Share scientific biodiversity data

Establish a GBIF node

GB

IF

Established: 2001Established: 2001

• March: 1st Governing Board Meeting (GB1)

Elected Christoph Häuser Chair

Established Ebbe Nielsen prize• June: GB2: Denmark (University of Copenhagen) selected to

host the GBIF Secretariat• September: GB3:

Selected Dr. James L. Edwards to be Executive Secretary

Established Science and Budget Committees• March 2002: GB4:

Awarded first Ebbe Nielsen Prize

Established Participant Node Managers CommitteeGB

IF

Where we are now:Where we are now:

• October 2002: GB5:

Work Programme

Participant Nodes

• 24 Voting Participants • 25 Associate Participants (11 countries, 14

organizations) as of 31 Oct 2002

GB

IF

What we’ve done - YEAR 1What we’ve done - YEAR 1

• Secretariat established in Copenhagen

• Secretariat staff hired

• STAG meetings held to aid in developing the priority work programmes

• IT infrastructure designed and in process of implementation

• Work Programme developed by Secretariat and approved by Science Committee and the Governing Board

GB

IF

Work ProgrammesWork Programmes

• Data Access and Database Interoperability (DADI)Data Access and Database Interoperability (DADI)

• Electronic Catalogue of Names of Electronic Catalogue of Names of Known Organisms (ECAT)Known Organisms (ECAT)

• Digitization of Natural History Collections (DIGIT)Digitization of Natural History Collections (DIGIT)

• Outreach and Capacity Building (OCB)Outreach and Capacity Building (OCB)

• Down the road:Down the road:

“Species Bank”

Digital Biodiversity Literature Resources

GB

IF

Relationships & IT ServicesRelationships & IT Services

GLOBAL

REGIONAL

NATIONAL

LOCAL

Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)CBD Clearinghouse Mechanism (CHM)

CBIN (Canada)CONABIO (Mexico)

ERIN (Australia) INBio (Costa Rica)

NBII (U.S.A.)

Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN)North American Biodiversity Information Network (NABIN)

European Information Organization Network (EIOnet)

Natural History Museum Collections, libraries, research databases, etc.

GB

IF

What GBIF will do - YEAR 2 -What GBIF will do - YEAR 2 -

• Adopt standards for interoperability (DADI)

• Development of appropriate search engines, the GBIF central portal and Participant portals (IT)

• Build on the Catalog of Names of Known Organisms (ECAT)

• Increase rate of digitisation of biodiversity data (DIGIT)

• Plan for installing GBIF hardware and software and for training individuals in their use (OCB)

• Data-rich biodiversity databases agree to affiliate with GBIF via Participant Nodes (Participants)

working working withwith the Participant Nodes: the Participant Nodes:

GB

IF

The Participants The Participants areare GBIF ... GBIF ...

GBIF

Human Resources

(GB, Committees, STAGS, GBIF users

& data providers)

Capacity Building

Open Architecture

Access and Interoperability

Data-rich Nodes (institutions, organizations)

Databases (including legacy

data)Computing and Communications

Supporting partnerships

GB

IF

GBIF WILL:GBIF WILL:

Provide comprehensive information to

Respond to environmental questions;

Avoid duplication of effort;

Cost-efficiently leverage funds;

Track data, software and human resources; and

Inform internationally in support of

Coordination of informatics efforts in order to

Achieve sustainability goals and

Learn about biodiversity.

GB

IF

MOLECULARMOLECULARANDAND

GENETICGENETICDATADATA

BIODIVERSITYBIODIVERSITYANDAND

ECOSYSTEMSECOSYSTEMSDATADATA

ENTERTAINMENT

EDUCATION

INFORMATION

policy

public

management

informal

formal

industry

NEUROSCIENCE NEUROSCIENCE DATADATA

HEALTH HEALTH SCIENCES SCIENCES

DATADATA

TOXICOLOGY TOXICOLOGY DATADATA

PHYSIOLOGY PHYSIOLOGY DATADATA

CHEMICAL CHEMICAL DATADATA

PHYLOGENETIC PHYLOGENETIC DATADATA