GBIF Training Manual 1: Digitisation of History Collections Data, version 1.0

GBIF is a worldwide network that makes primary, scientific, biodiversity data from many sources openly available via the Internet. GBIF’s hope is to help collections and database personnel around the world share best practices in the tasks and operations required in building a web-based, global “natural history collection and herbarium” that can be accessed any time any where by any one via the Internet.

GBIF is based upon primary scientific data—data that were recorded directly from nature—and upon a robust and comprehensive taxonomic system. These kinds of data can be used and reused in different analyses without diminishing their value. However, in this digital age, the use of biodiversity data are limited by the paucity of
records that are in a digital form; most data are recorded only on paper in ink. For this reason, GBIF places a strong emphasis on the digitisation of natural history and other biological collections, as well as taxonomic names data and concepts. In addition, GBIF will provide tools that will, to unprecedented levels, enhance quality of these data, and describe its fitness for various uses.