Species Sightings (GBIF)
Records of species observations from the GBIF database, including reported occurrences, number of sightings, and taxonomic information.
Description
This indicator shows species sightings from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the world’s largest open-access database of species occurrences. GBIF integrates data from scientific field studies, automated camera trap detections, and citizen science initiatives across different applications.
The records displayed in Atlas are filtered to ensure quality. GBIF entries derived from collections, museums, preserved specimens, live specimens, or fossils are excluded. Only verified records from human observations or automated detections are included.
What it measures
- Presence of species reported in GBIF.
- Number of times each species has been recorded.
- Associated taxonomic information.
- Temporal coverage of records (1900–2025).
How to interpret
- A higher number of records indicates greater observation effort or confirmed presence of species in the area.
- Patterns over time may reflect ecological change, research activity, or survey intensity.
Unit / Scale
Records (number of species sightings).
Author / Source
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). (2023)
— GBIF occurrence data. Global Biodiversity Information Facility.
🔗 https://www.gbif.org
Applications in Atlas
- Ground-truth species presence and biodiversity models.
- Support ecological monitoring and conservation planning.
- Enhance validation of biodiversity baselines for projects and policies.
- Provide taxonomic detail for biodiversity assessments.