BioMaps

BioMaps is a web based system for accessing and analysing biodiversity distribution that currently enables access to around 1 million records from museum databases around Australia. The Australian Museum / Rio Tinto Partnership initiated the BioMaps project and provided funding for its development.

Map of world: Today

Map of world: Today
Ronald Blakey © Ronald Blakey

By working with the Atlas of Living Australia (ALA), BioMaps will greatly increase the amount of biodiversity data available to users for mapping and analysis.

How does BioMaps work?

BioMaps provides tools for accessing and analysing biodiversity data. It enables visualisation of data through a map interface and provides analytical tools for helping planners and scientists to investigate biodiversity distribution and explore possible climate change impacts on biodiversity. By pioneering web delivery techniques for biodiversity data, the BioMaps team is broadening access to both biodiversity information and innovative methodologies for analysing it.

How can BioMaps be used?

Scientists, planners and land managers need to study, understand and sustainably manage biodiversity. They can use BioMaps to:

Discover what species have been collected in an area

  • create reports and maps
  • view related images and information for species
  • download the data for use in desktop applications (eg for site assessments)

Find and map where species have been collected

  • search by common or scientific names
  • find where and when a species was recorded/collected
  • create a map of where a species has been found
  • overlay point locations on a range of information layers

Find images of and information about species

  • search by species names
  • include in reports

Predict the environmental niche of a species using current and future climate scenarios

  • screen capture a map of the predicted area
  • how might a species range change from climate change
  • Identify the most important areas at which to carry out biodiversity surveys
  • choose locations requiring biodiversity survey based on what environments have inadequate survey coverage
  • download the coordinates to a spreadsheet

 


Mr Paul Flemons , Manager, Collections Informatics Unit
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