Data lifecycle

Data lifecycle

Defining biodiversity data

Artifacts and symbols collected, stored, and disseminated in order to document the constituent elements of life, extant or extinct, at any scale of time and space.

These elements are biological and encompass anything that contributes to the structure and function of life at any scale, from the microscopic to the level of the planet, and to the continuation of life, that is, its ability to persist and evolve over time.

Source: Garnier E et al. (2025) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2025.06.004

Data, datasets, databases and co

Legend: (a) Data and metadata make up (b) datasets. Multiple datasets in one location form a (c) database. (d) Aggregators compile data from many databases and (e) repackagers transform data in a way that makes it more accessible for all audiences (i.e. lay and professional). (f) External users (e.g. scientists, industries, government agencies etc.) access raw data by (g) going through any or all of these data sharing portals.

Source: Blair J et al. (2020) https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.8.e32765

Questions to ask

What is my research question?
What do I need?
Spatial extent and resolution

Temporal extent and resolution
Taxonomic coverage
What confidence do I have in the data?
…

Overview

GBIF

Checklist & occurrence data
Worldwide
All taxa (marine & terrestrial)

IUCN Redlist

Species information
Conservation status
Species range map

OBIS

Occurrence, abundance data
Cover percentage & biomass
Habitat, genetic, etc.

BOLD

DNA sequences
Link to specimens (attributes, taxonomy, collection/location, images)

GenBank (NCBI)

Genetic sequences

MoveBank

Individual tracking locations
Worldwide
All taxa

TRY

Trait plant
Informations by traits, species, datasets, regions

GloBI

Interaction data, including predator-prey, pollinator-plant, pathogen-host, parasite-host

Map of Life

Species profile
Regions, provinces, protected areas
Biodiversity trends and patterns

Biodiversity databases

Data repositories […] and databases […] are the basis for progress but are not representative in their taxonomic and geographical coverage of the Earth’s biodiversity.

Gonzalez A et al. (2024) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-023-02171-0

Our review showed that each biodiversity database holds unique scientific value because they cover different spatial extents, taxonomic groups, and record types.

Feng X et al. (2022) https://doi.org/10.1111/geb.13497

Biodiversity databases

But there are links between biodiversity databases and/or biodiversity data aggregators, thanks to FAIR process (data & metadata standards, controlled vocabularies, etc.)

**Source:** Norvez O *et al.* (2023) https://mnhn.hal.science/mnhn-04296424v1

Work in progress, stay tuned!

Bonus

Overview of biodiversity databases through the Essential Biodiversity Variables to be completed