GBIF

GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)

GBIF is the largest paltform for specimen and observation data. Via the GBIF portal one can search for more than 1.6 billion records worldwide. All required software packages are available for free. Please read the GBIF sites for more information. GBIF's most relevant tool in this context is the wrapper software. It enables the transformation of different database structures into standard formats. GGBN uses the same technology

- How to join the GBIF Network

- Quick start on publishing data

Wrappers/Provider Software

Three wrapper types are most often used:

- BioCASE (Biological Collection Access Service)

- DiGIR (Distributed Generic Information Retrieval)

- IPT (Integrated Publishing Toolkit

All provider softwares have pros and cons and use standard transfer schemes to exchange amongst others specimen and observation data stored in online accessible databases.

- BioCASe - ABCD Access to Biological Collection Data

- DiGIR and IPT - DarwinCore