logging in or signing up jedwards Abbott Download Post to : URL : Related Presentations : Share Add to Flag Embed Email Send to Blogs and Networks Add to Channel Uploaded from authorPOINTLite Insert YouTube videos in PowerPont slides with aS Desktop Copy embed code: (To copy code, click on the text box) Embed: URL: Thumbnail: WordPress Embed Customize Embed The presentation is successfully added In Your Favorites. Views: 36 Category: Entertainment License: All Rights Reserved Like it (0) Dislike it (0) Added: October 02, 2007 This Presentation is Public Favorites: 0 Presentation Description No description available. Comments Posting comment... Premium member Presentation Transcript GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY: GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION FACILITY The Global Biodiversity Information Facility: An Interoperable Network of Primary Biodiversity Databases Jim Edwards, Campinas, Brazil, 4 March 2004 WWW.GBIF.ORGWhat is GBIF ?: What is GBIF ? A network of Participant nodes that Make primary biodiversity data openly and freely available over the Internet Use common standards for data and metadata Encourage generation of additional content Assure that data providers retain control of their own data Provide access to biodiversity data through a single portalWhy was GBIF established?: Why was GBIF established? Georeferenced biodiversity data of good quality and historical depth resides in the world’s natural history collections and observational databases These data were being digitised in a haphazard, piecemeal fashion GBIF was formed to help synergise and pull together species- and specimen-level databases and make them interoperableWhy was GBIF established?: Why was GBIF established? Both biodiversity and biodiversity data are unevenly distributed around the world: GBIF is helping to redress the inequality of data distributionGBIF ...: GBIF ... Was recommended by an OECD working group and endorsed by OECD science ministers But is independent from the OECD Is not part of the United Nations But works closely with many UN bodies Convention on Biological Diversity World Conservation Monitoring Centre Is based on a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding between countries and international organisationsEach Participant in GBIF agrees to:: Each Participant in GBIF agrees to: Share scientific biodiversity data Develop an Internet node to access those data In addition, Voting Participants agree to Make a specific contribution toward GBIF’s activitiesGBIF Voting Participants 25 : GBIF Voting Participants 25 Australia Belgium Canada Costa Rica Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Iceland Japan Republic of Korea Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Norway (Feb. 2004) Portugal Peru Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden UK USAGBIF Associate Participants 16 + 24: GBIF Associate Participants 16 + 24 Argentina Austria Bulgaria Colombia Czech Republic Ghana India Madagascar Morocco Pakistan Papua/New Guinea (Feb 04) Poland Slovak Republic Switzerland Taiwan Tanzania ALL Species Foundation ASEANET BioNET BIOSIS CABI Bioscience EASIANET European Commission Expert Centre for Taxonomic Identification Freshwater Biological Association Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network Integrated Taxonomic Information System IUCN NatureServe Ocean Biogeographic Information System SAFRINET Société de Bactériologie Systématique et Vétérinaire Species 2000 Taxonomic Databases Working Group UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program UNEP (World Conservation Monitoring Centre) World Federation for Culture Collections Wildscreen TrustGBIF’s focus is on primary data: GBIF’s focus is on primary data Primary data result from the direct observation of nature, for example A specimen of an organism Banding a bird Georeferenced primary data can be analysed in many ways, e.g. Choosing best sites for conservation areas or future biodiversity collecting efforts Predicting effects of climate change on biota Choosing best sites for GMO field trials Predicting the spread of invasive species Primary data can be used and reused to answer many kinds of questions, both scientific and societalWhat are GBIF’s primary data ?: What are GBIF’s primary data ? Associated notes, recordings, observational databases, etc. These data must be digitised in order to be shared and fully utilised Label data on ~ 1.5 - 3.0 billion specimens in natural history collectionsExample: The Cactus Moth Cactoblastis cactorum: Example: The Cactus Moth Cactoblastis cactorum Study done by Jorge Soberon, CONABIO, Mexico, and collaborators Cactoblastis devours every single species of prickly-pear (Platyopuntia) cactus that has been examined In the US and Mexico there are more than 90 species of Platyopuntia, many endangered, that are vital components of arid ecosystems. In Mexico, Platyopuntia is the 10th most important agricultural productSlide12: Cactoblastis cactorum Data points obtained from the NMNH, USASlide13: Climate surface obtained by Floramap (12 layers)Slide14: Platyopuntia localities MNHSD, IBUNAM, ENCB, MOBOT, NMNH, UAH Slide15: Predicted number of species of Platyopuntia Opuntia lagunae Fotografías de la planta y el fruto de Jon Rebman Fotografía de las flores de George Lindsay http://www.oceanoasis.org/fieldguide/opun-lag-sp.html Slide16: Red isolines: High similarity to climate in the original Cactoblastis cactorum sites. Blue regions: Richness of species of Platyopuntia. Vulnerable areas to Cactoblastis (right climate and right food)What does GBIF do ? : What does GBIF do ? GBIF has a set of tasks that is distinct from that of any other organization. In order to promote the sharing and use of scientific biodiversity data by everyone, it focuses on four areas of activity: Digitisation of Natural History Collections (DIGIT) Electronic Catalog of Names of Known Organisms (ECAT) Data Access and Database Interoperability (DADI) Outreach and Capacity Building (OCB)GBIF contribution to interoperability: GBIF contribution to interoperability Until now, it has not been possible to combine data from GenBank with specimen and ecological data from other sources without painstaking work by a person. With GBIF’s components in place, data can be drawn directly from different sources with a single query. Compiled specimen, genetic, and ecological informationPrototype of GBIF data portal now open for use and comment: Prototype of GBIF data portal now open for use and comment www.gbif.net Currently contains >12 million specimen and observational records, Provided by more than 34 data record providers and about 20 names providers Can search on scientific names (including synonyms), see record information, plot maps, get lists of taxa by country, etc. Portal still in prototype stage Expect to add many more records and to improve search methodologies throughout 2004 Please provide comments to help us improve it!!GBIF’s contributions to interoperability: GBIF’s contributions to interoperability Work with Taxonomic Databases Working Group (TDWG) to establish standards for data and interoperability E.g., Darwin Core, DiGIR, GIS standards Work with Catalogue of Life and others to finish Electronic Catalogue of the world’s scientific names by 2010 Including consensus taxonomy, synonyms, common names Will be an authority file for use by allGBIF’s support for biodiversity informatics: GBIF’s support for biodiversity informatics Database components of several activities of the Convention on Biological Diversity Clearing House Mechanism, Global Taxonomy Initiative, Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Seed-money grants for digitisation and for developing components of the Electronic Catalogue GBIF-UNESCO Chairs in Biodiversity Informatics Begin 2005 with 4 chairs in developing countries, 2 in developed White papers on IPR, digitisation technologies, etc. Training courses Ebbe Nielsen PrizeContact details: Contact details Jim Edwards jedwards@gbif.org www.gbif.org GBIF Secretariat Universitetsparken 15 Copenhagen 2100 DENMARK New GBIF Secretariat headquarters, supported by grant from Aage V. Jensens FondeGBIF Voting Participants 25 : GBIF Voting Participants 25 Australia Belgium Canada Costa Rica Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Iceland Japan Republic of Korea Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Norway Portugal Peru Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden UK USAGBIF Associate Participants 15 + 24: GBIF Associate Participants 15 + 24 Argentina Austria Bulgaria Colombia Czech Republic Ghana India Madagascar Morocco Pakistan Poland Slovak Republic Switzerland Taiwan Tanzania ALL Species Foundation ASEANET BioNET BIOSIS CABI Bioscience EASIANET European Commission Expert Centre for Taxonomic Identification Freshwater Biological Association Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network Integrated Taxonomic Information System IUCN NatureServe Ocean Biogeographic Information System SAFRINET Société de Bactériologie Systématique et Vétérinaire Species 2000 Taxonomic Databases Working Group UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program UNEP (World Conservation Monitoring Centre) World Federation for Culture Collections Wildscreen TrustWhat is GBIF ?: What is GBIF ? GBIF is a megascience facility aimed at Making the world’s biodiversity data freely and universally available via the Internet Sharing primary scientific biodiversity data for society, science and a sustainable futureWhat is GBIF?: What is GBIF? A distributed facility, comprising an ever- growing network of Participant nodes that Share biodiversity data openly and freely Use common standards for data and metadata Encourage generation of additional content Assure that data providers retain control of dataWhy was GBIF established ?: Why was GBIF established ? Both biodiversity and biodiversity data are unevenly distributed around the world: GBIF was established, in large part, to redress the inequality of data distribution Why was GBIF established ?: To undertake biodiversity informatics activities that must be accomplished on a worldwide basis in order to make the Internet into a highly valuable, dynamic library of biological information To take on tasks not being attempted by other initiatives but which would be of benefit to those initiatives (e.g. CHM, GTI, others) To make biodiversity databases interoperable among themselves and with molecular, genetic, ecological and other types of databases, thus increasing the value of all of them Why was GBIF established ?True bioinformatics …: True bioinformatics … ecoinformatics biodiversity informatics “bioinformatics” genomics proteomics GBIF contribution to interoperability: GBIF contribution to interoperability Until now, it has not been possible to combine data from GenBank with specimen and ecological data from other sources without painstaking work by a person. With GBIF’s components in place, data can be drawn directly from different sources with a single query. Compiled specimen, genetic, and ecological informationData Interoperability...: 6 records 35 records 17 records 0 records 81 records: Museum A Paris Museum A Nice Museum A Paris Museum A Avignon Museum A Avignon Museum A Marseille Observer X Norwich Observer X Norwich Observer X Southampton . . . GBIF Data Interoperability... Observational Dataset Museum A Culture collection Museum BGBIF deals with 1 biodiversity data : GBIF deals with 1 biodiversity data oGBIF works cooperatively:: GBIF works cooperatively: Recently signed Memo of Cooperation with the Catalogue of Life partnership Also work with the Taxonomic Databases Working Group of CODATA on data standards…Users and applications need data structured according to standards: Users and applications need data structured according to standards <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <response> <record> <darwin:DateLastModified>2003-06-08</darwin:DateLastModified> <darwin:InstitutionCode>DGH</darwin:InstitutionCode> <darwin:CollectionCode>DGH Lepidoptera</darwin:CollectionCode> <darwin:CatalogNumber>DGHEUR_0002976</darwin:CatalogNumber> <darwin:ScientificName>Dichomeris marginella (Fabricius, 1781)</darwin:ScientificName> <darwin:BasisOfRecord>O</darwin:BasisOfRecord> <darwin:Kingdom>Animalia</darwin:Kingdom> <darwin:Order>Lepidoptera</darwin:Order> <darwin:Family>Gelechiidae</darwin:Family> <darwin:Genus>Dichomeris</darwin:Genus> <darwin:Species>marginella</darwin:Species> <darwin:ScientificNameAuthor>(Fabricius, 1781)</darwin:ScientificNameAuthor> <darwin:IdentifiedBy>Donald Hobern</darwin:IdentifiedBy> <darwin:Collector>Donald Hobern</darwin:Collector> <darwin:YearCollected>2003</darwin:YearCollected> <darwin:MonthCollected>06</darwin:MonthCollected> <darwin:DayCollected>08</darwin:DayCollected> <darwin:ContinentOcean>Europe</darwin:ContinentOcean> <darwin:Country>Denmark</darwin:Country> <darwin:County>Gentofte Amt</darwin:County> <darwin:Locality>Merianvej, Hellerup</darwin:Locality> <darwin:Longitude>12.538</darwin:Longitude> <darwin:Latitude>55.737</darwin:Latitude> <darwin:CoordinatePrecision>100</darwin:CoordinatePrecision> <darwin:IndividualCount>1</darwin:IndividualCount> <darwin:Notes>1 in Skinner trap</darwin:Notes> </record> </response> Observation record formatted using the Darwin CoreGBIF Information Architecture: GBIF Information Architecture GBIF Data Nodes Catalogue of Life Biodiversity Data Access Portal Biodiversity Data Index Taxo-nomic Name Service (ECAT) User RequestsWeb services enable the aggregation of structured data: Web services enable the aggregation of structured data Heterogeneous Databases Web Services Standardised Structured Data Data indexing & registry are part of theseBut it isn’t an easy task...: But it isn’t an easy task... which is why GBIF is a megascience activity... and why training in biodiversity informatics is needed You do not have the permission to view this presentation. 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jedwards Abbott Download Post to : URL : Related Presentations : Share Add to Flag Embed Email Send to Blogs and Networks Add to Channel Uploaded from authorPOINTLite Insert YouTube videos in PowerPont slides with aS Desktop Copy embed code: (To copy code, click on the text box) Embed: URL: Thumbnail: WordPress Embed Customize Embed The presentation is successfully added In Your Favorites. Views: 36 Category: Entertainment License: All Rights Reserved Like it (0) Dislike it (0) Added: October 02, 2007 This Presentation is Public Favorites: 0 Presentation Description No description available. Comments Posting comment... Premium member Presentation Transcript GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY: GLOBAL BIODIVERSITY INFORMATION FACILITY The Global Biodiversity Information Facility: An Interoperable Network of Primary Biodiversity Databases Jim Edwards, Campinas, Brazil, 4 March 2004 WWW.GBIF.ORGWhat is GBIF ?: What is GBIF ? A network of Participant nodes that Make primary biodiversity data openly and freely available over the Internet Use common standards for data and metadata Encourage generation of additional content Assure that data providers retain control of their own data Provide access to biodiversity data through a single portalWhy was GBIF established?: Why was GBIF established? Georeferenced biodiversity data of good quality and historical depth resides in the world’s natural history collections and observational databases These data were being digitised in a haphazard, piecemeal fashion GBIF was formed to help synergise and pull together species- and specimen-level databases and make them interoperableWhy was GBIF established?: Why was GBIF established? Both biodiversity and biodiversity data are unevenly distributed around the world: GBIF is helping to redress the inequality of data distributionGBIF ...: GBIF ... Was recommended by an OECD working group and endorsed by OECD science ministers But is independent from the OECD Is not part of the United Nations But works closely with many UN bodies Convention on Biological Diversity World Conservation Monitoring Centre Is based on a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding between countries and international organisationsEach Participant in GBIF agrees to:: Each Participant in GBIF agrees to: Share scientific biodiversity data Develop an Internet node to access those data In addition, Voting Participants agree to Make a specific contribution toward GBIF’s activitiesGBIF Voting Participants 25 : GBIF Voting Participants 25 Australia Belgium Canada Costa Rica Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Iceland Japan Republic of Korea Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Norway (Feb. 2004) Portugal Peru Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden UK USAGBIF Associate Participants 16 + 24: GBIF Associate Participants 16 + 24 Argentina Austria Bulgaria Colombia Czech Republic Ghana India Madagascar Morocco Pakistan Papua/New Guinea (Feb 04) Poland Slovak Republic Switzerland Taiwan Tanzania ALL Species Foundation ASEANET BioNET BIOSIS CABI Bioscience EASIANET European Commission Expert Centre for Taxonomic Identification Freshwater Biological Association Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network Integrated Taxonomic Information System IUCN NatureServe Ocean Biogeographic Information System SAFRINET Société de Bactériologie Systématique et Vétérinaire Species 2000 Taxonomic Databases Working Group UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program UNEP (World Conservation Monitoring Centre) World Federation for Culture Collections Wildscreen TrustGBIF’s focus is on primary data: GBIF’s focus is on primary data Primary data result from the direct observation of nature, for example A specimen of an organism Banding a bird Georeferenced primary data can be analysed in many ways, e.g. Choosing best sites for conservation areas or future biodiversity collecting efforts Predicting effects of climate change on biota Choosing best sites for GMO field trials Predicting the spread of invasive species Primary data can be used and reused to answer many kinds of questions, both scientific and societalWhat are GBIF’s primary data ?: What are GBIF’s primary data ? Associated notes, recordings, observational databases, etc. These data must be digitised in order to be shared and fully utilised Label data on ~ 1.5 - 3.0 billion specimens in natural history collectionsExample: The Cactus Moth Cactoblastis cactorum: Example: The Cactus Moth Cactoblastis cactorum Study done by Jorge Soberon, CONABIO, Mexico, and collaborators Cactoblastis devours every single species of prickly-pear (Platyopuntia) cactus that has been examined In the US and Mexico there are more than 90 species of Platyopuntia, many endangered, that are vital components of arid ecosystems. In Mexico, Platyopuntia is the 10th most important agricultural productSlide12: Cactoblastis cactorum Data points obtained from the NMNH, USASlide13: Climate surface obtained by Floramap (12 layers)Slide14: Platyopuntia localities MNHSD, IBUNAM, ENCB, MOBOT, NMNH, UAH Slide15: Predicted number of species of Platyopuntia Opuntia lagunae Fotografías de la planta y el fruto de Jon Rebman Fotografía de las flores de George Lindsay http://www.oceanoasis.org/fieldguide/opun-lag-sp.html Slide16: Red isolines: High similarity to climate in the original Cactoblastis cactorum sites. Blue regions: Richness of species of Platyopuntia. Vulnerable areas to Cactoblastis (right climate and right food)What does GBIF do ? : What does GBIF do ? GBIF has a set of tasks that is distinct from that of any other organization. In order to promote the sharing and use of scientific biodiversity data by everyone, it focuses on four areas of activity: Digitisation of Natural History Collections (DIGIT) Electronic Catalog of Names of Known Organisms (ECAT) Data Access and Database Interoperability (DADI) Outreach and Capacity Building (OCB)GBIF contribution to interoperability: GBIF contribution to interoperability Until now, it has not been possible to combine data from GenBank with specimen and ecological data from other sources without painstaking work by a person. With GBIF’s components in place, data can be drawn directly from different sources with a single query. Compiled specimen, genetic, and ecological informationPrototype of GBIF data portal now open for use and comment: Prototype of GBIF data portal now open for use and comment www.gbif.net Currently contains >12 million specimen and observational records, Provided by more than 34 data record providers and about 20 names providers Can search on scientific names (including synonyms), see record information, plot maps, get lists of taxa by country, etc. Portal still in prototype stage Expect to add many more records and to improve search methodologies throughout 2004 Please provide comments to help us improve it!!GBIF’s contributions to interoperability: GBIF’s contributions to interoperability Work with Taxonomic Databases Working Group (TDWG) to establish standards for data and interoperability E.g., Darwin Core, DiGIR, GIS standards Work with Catalogue of Life and others to finish Electronic Catalogue of the world’s scientific names by 2010 Including consensus taxonomy, synonyms, common names Will be an authority file for use by allGBIF’s support for biodiversity informatics: GBIF’s support for biodiversity informatics Database components of several activities of the Convention on Biological Diversity Clearing House Mechanism, Global Taxonomy Initiative, Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Seed-money grants for digitisation and for developing components of the Electronic Catalogue GBIF-UNESCO Chairs in Biodiversity Informatics Begin 2005 with 4 chairs in developing countries, 2 in developed White papers on IPR, digitisation technologies, etc. Training courses Ebbe Nielsen PrizeContact details: Contact details Jim Edwards jedwards@gbif.org www.gbif.org GBIF Secretariat Universitetsparken 15 Copenhagen 2100 DENMARK New GBIF Secretariat headquarters, supported by grant from Aage V. Jensens FondeGBIF Voting Participants 25 : GBIF Voting Participants 25 Australia Belgium Canada Costa Rica Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Iceland Japan Republic of Korea Mexico Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Norway Portugal Peru Slovenia South Africa Spain Sweden UK USAGBIF Associate Participants 15 + 24: GBIF Associate Participants 15 + 24 Argentina Austria Bulgaria Colombia Czech Republic Ghana India Madagascar Morocco Pakistan Poland Slovak Republic Switzerland Taiwan Tanzania ALL Species Foundation ASEANET BioNET BIOSIS CABI Bioscience EASIANET European Commission Expert Centre for Taxonomic Identification Freshwater Biological Association Inter-American Biodiversity Information Network Integrated Taxonomic Information System IUCN NatureServe Ocean Biogeographic Information System SAFRINET Société de Bactériologie Systématique et Vétérinaire Species 2000 Taxonomic Databases Working Group UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Program UNEP (World Conservation Monitoring Centre) World Federation for Culture Collections Wildscreen TrustWhat is GBIF ?: What is GBIF ? GBIF is a megascience facility aimed at Making the world’s biodiversity data freely and universally available via the Internet Sharing primary scientific biodiversity data for society, science and a sustainable futureWhat is GBIF?: What is GBIF? A distributed facility, comprising an ever- growing network of Participant nodes that Share biodiversity data openly and freely Use common standards for data and metadata Encourage generation of additional content Assure that data providers retain control of dataWhy was GBIF established ?: Why was GBIF established ? Both biodiversity and biodiversity data are unevenly distributed around the world: GBIF was established, in large part, to redress the inequality of data distribution Why was GBIF established ?: To undertake biodiversity informatics activities that must be accomplished on a worldwide basis in order to make the Internet into a highly valuable, dynamic library of biological information To take on tasks not being attempted by other initiatives but which would be of benefit to those initiatives (e.g. CHM, GTI, others) To make biodiversity databases interoperable among themselves and with molecular, genetic, ecological and other types of databases, thus increasing the value of all of them Why was GBIF established ?True bioinformatics …: True bioinformatics … ecoinformatics biodiversity informatics “bioinformatics” genomics proteomics GBIF contribution to interoperability: GBIF contribution to interoperability Until now, it has not been possible to combine data from GenBank with specimen and ecological data from other sources without painstaking work by a person. With GBIF’s components in place, data can be drawn directly from different sources with a single query. Compiled specimen, genetic, and ecological informationData Interoperability...: 6 records 35 records 17 records 0 records 81 records: Museum A Paris Museum A Nice Museum A Paris Museum A Avignon Museum A Avignon Museum A Marseille Observer X Norwich Observer X Norwich Observer X Southampton . . . GBIF Data Interoperability... Observational Dataset Museum A Culture collection Museum BGBIF deals with 1 biodiversity data : GBIF deals with 1 biodiversity data oGBIF works cooperatively:: GBIF works cooperatively: Recently signed Memo of Cooperation with the Catalogue of Life partnership Also work with the Taxonomic Databases Working Group of CODATA on data standards…Users and applications need data structured according to standards: Users and applications need data structured according to standards <?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?> <response> <record> <darwin:DateLastModified>2003-06-08</darwin:DateLastModified> <darwin:InstitutionCode>DGH</darwin:InstitutionCode> <darwin:CollectionCode>DGH Lepidoptera</darwin:CollectionCode> <darwin:CatalogNumber>DGHEUR_0002976</darwin:CatalogNumber> <darwin:ScientificName>Dichomeris marginella (Fabricius, 1781)</darwin:ScientificName> <darwin:BasisOfRecord>O</darwin:BasisOfRecord> <darwin:Kingdom>Animalia</darwin:Kingdom> <darwin:Order>Lepidoptera</darwin:Order> <darwin:Family>Gelechiidae</darwin:Family> <darwin:Genus>Dichomeris</darwin:Genus> <darwin:Species>marginella</darwin:Species> <darwin:ScientificNameAuthor>(Fabricius, 1781)</darwin:ScientificNameAuthor> <darwin:IdentifiedBy>Donald Hobern</darwin:IdentifiedBy> <darwin:Collector>Donald Hobern</darwin:Collector> <darwin:YearCollected>2003</darwin:YearCollected> <darwin:MonthCollected>06</darwin:MonthCollected> <darwin:DayCollected>08</darwin:DayCollected> <darwin:ContinentOcean>Europe</darwin:ContinentOcean> <darwin:Country>Denmark</darwin:Country> <darwin:County>Gentofte Amt</darwin:County> <darwin:Locality>Merianvej, Hellerup</darwin:Locality> <darwin:Longitude>12.538</darwin:Longitude> <darwin:Latitude>55.737</darwin:Latitude> <darwin:CoordinatePrecision>100</darwin:CoordinatePrecision> <darwin:IndividualCount>1</darwin:IndividualCount> <darwin:Notes>1 in Skinner trap</darwin:Notes> </record> </response> Observation record formatted using the Darwin CoreGBIF Information Architecture: GBIF Information Architecture GBIF Data Nodes Catalogue of Life Biodiversity Data Access Portal Biodiversity Data Index Taxo-nomic Name Service (ECAT) User RequestsWeb services enable the aggregation of structured data: Web services enable the aggregation of structured data Heterogeneous Databases Web Services Standardised Structured Data Data indexing & registry are part of theseBut it isn’t an easy task...: But it isn’t an easy task... which is why GBIF is a megascience activity... and why training in biodiversity informatics is needed