Biodiversity informatics

Biodiversity computer science includes the storage and processing of information on biodiversity. The objects of biodiversity computer science are taxa, biological evidence collection and observation data.

Databases

Collection databases

Although sporadically since the 1970s, biological collection data stored in databases, such efforts only with the objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity ( Convention on Biological Diversity, CBD) and international projects such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility ( GBIF ) since the 1990s are in large style has been realized. There are now a number of specific databases for these data, such as the Botanical Research and Herbarium Management System ( BRAHMS ).

Monitoring databases

Biological monitoring data may contain, in addition to the pure detection of occurrence information on the frequency, measured values, characteristic values ​​and much more. It can be individual observations, tracts or transektbezogene observations. Finished products, there are about for vegetation surveys, such as the Turboveg program for managing vegetation surveys.

Feature databases

In feature databases, the characteristic values ​​of various features of taxa or individuals are recorded. Many common feature databases is the DELTA format. With the help of feature data cladistic analyzes can be driven descriptions generated, or destination keys are created.

Biogeographic applications

Based on evidence of a taxon and appropriate environmental data can be modeled spreads, these approaches are referred to as Ecological Niche Modeling, among other things or habitat suitability modeling. There are some ready-made applications, such as GARP ( Genetic Algorithm of Rule - Set Production) or Maxent.