PBIF signed the GBIF MOU in September 2004 making the Forum an associate participant.
As part of the GBIF MOU, PBIF through the Pacific node has agreed to undertake the following activities.
- Participate actively in the formulation and implementation of the GBIF Work Program
- Promote the sharing of biodiversity data in GBIF under a common set of standards
- Form a Node or Nodes, accessible via GBIF, that will provide access to biodiversity data
- As appropriate, make other investments in biodiversity information infrastructure in support of GBIF
- Contribute to training and capacity development for promoting global access to biodiversity data.
A range of activities are currently underway to fulfill these undertakings. We are working to:
- Develop links to existing data and information
- Maintain Pacific-wide species checklists and encourage in-country biodiversity databases
- Publish bibliographies
- Provide information services via on-line tools and non-web based media
- Establish outreach and networking activities to support the biodiversity needs of people, nations and economies throughout the Pacific
For additional information concerning GBIF see the following. GBIF Home http://www.gbif.org/
GBIF’s Work Programs http://www.gbif.org/prog
GBIF data portal http://data.gbif.org/welcome.htm
GBIF Data Use Agreement http://data.gbif.org/tutorial/datauseagreement
GBIF Data Sharing Agreement http://data.gbif.org/tutorial/datasharingagreement
GBIF Guiding Principles Regarding Intellectual Property Rights http://www.gbif.org/DataProviders/Agreements/GBIFdataIPRprinciples.html
What is the Pacific Node to GBIF?
The Pacific Node to GBIF provides a ‘One-Stop-Shop’ for Pacific biodiversity data. It acts as a data portal or gateway for access to a wide range of biodiversity data held and maintained by individuals and institutions throughout the Pacific region. The node does not hold data centrally but accesses it in a distributed network of individual databases. All information provided through the Pacific Node is made freely available using international standards for data representation and interchange.
Who Uses the Pacific Node?
The node provides data and tools useful to a broad cross-section of both the national and international communities. Typical users include:
- Biological collections (museums & herbaria)
- Land managers (for example government conservation departments)
- Research scientists (in both the public and private sectors)
- Environmental consultants and agencies
- Education institutions
- The general public (such as naturalist groups and interested individuals)
The Benefits of the Pacific Node:
The Pacific node provides data and information with numerous benefits to the Pacific islands region and international communities. These benefits include the following.
- Better integration of Pacific biodiversity data
- Sharing of analytical tools
- Improved communications in biodiversity management
- Provision of reliable data for related science applications, such as the biotechnology industry, agriculture and biosecurity
- Assistance in identifying gaps in existing biodiversity knowledge
- Provision of taxonomic identification keys and tools
- Improved response to national research priorities
- A focal point for information flow between GBIF and Pacific data providers and data users
These benefits stretch across broad sections of the Pacific community, from the general public to scientific researchers and local and national government departments.