16.0: Selected Sources of Information

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Searchable databases provide a convenient way to find information on species, places, and topics. With the help of citizen scientists, these databases are rapidly expanding. Below are a few online databases that are free to use. Many also allow users to contribute their own data.

Biodiversity A-Z
	http://www.biodiversitya-z.org
	A thesaurus for biodiversity terminology.

Conservation Training
	https://www.conservationtraining.org
	Free conservation-based training materials, provided by TNC.

Copenhagen databases of African vertebrates
	https://macroecology.ku.dk/resources/african-vertebrates
	Distribution maps for Africa’s mammals, birds, snakes, and amphibians.

eBird
	http://ebird.org
	Citizen science platform for the global birding community.

Encyclopaedia of Life
	http://www.eol.org
	Developing resource documenting the biology of all species known to science.

Evidensia
	https://www.evidensia.eco
	Comprehensive information on sustainability standards.

Global Biodiversity Information Facility
	http://www.gbif.org
	Free and open access to biodiversity data.

Global Register of Introduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS)
	http://www.griis.org
	Information about invasive species.

iNaturalist
	http://www.inaturalist.org
	A citizen science project that collects distribution data on all species.

Learning for Nature
	https://learningfornature.org
	e-Learning resource by the UNDP.

Mongabay
	https://news.mongabay.com
	A leading environmental news source.

Movebank
	https://www.movebank.org
	A free online database for animal tracking data

Protected Planet
	https://www.protectedplanet.net
	Comprehensive global spatial dataset on protected areas.

PADD tracker
	http://www.padddtracker.org
	Monitors protected area downgrading, downsizing, and degazettement.

Species+
	https://www.speciesplus.net
	Provides information on species covered by multilateral environmental agreements.

Vital Signs
	http://vitalsigns.org
	Collects and integrates data on agriculture, ecosystems, and human well-being.