Image source: © Ove Hoegh-Guldberg
Ocean Biodiversity Information System
Resource type:
Monitoring, mapping
Location:
Global
Available language:
English
If you need to translate this resource into another language follow these instructions.
Custodian:
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (IOC-UNESCO)
Launched:
2009
Useful for:
Scientists, policy makers, educators, conservation practitioners
Purpose:
The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) is a global open-access marine biodiversity data and information clearing-house.
Features:
Portal for users to contribute marine biodiversity data, mapping tool to visualise datasets
Information available:
Diversity, distribution and abundance of marine organisms, physical and chemical environmental data
Cost and sign-up:
Free to use, no sign-up required
Can data be downloaded?
Yes
Is the tool available offline?
No, it is not available offline
How can I use this resource?
Explore monitoring data, Make decisions, Share information
Enquiries:
Further information:
Use case example
Researchers from CSIRO, University of the Sunshine Coast and the Queensland Museum used OBIS in a study of the reproduction of deep-sea corals. OBIS helped to fill critical knowledge gaps with species occurrence data, which was used to help determine the available depth range of each coral species. OBIS also helped to support the standardisation of protocols for deep-sea coral data collection and management. The study is crucial to informing management and policy and protecting deep-sea corals from disturbances such as fishing, mining and ocean warming. Further information: Ocean Biodiversity Information System
