GBIF’s (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) New Strategic Framework to Address Biodiversity Data Needs

Abstract

Every five years the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) reevaluates its work in an updated Strategic Framework. The latest was recently approved and will be in effect 2023–2027. In responding to our Governing Board and network expectations to accelerate data mobilization and capacity enhancement to improve science for research and policy relevance, the new Framework specifically responds to the biodiversity crisis in its Vision, Mission and Values statements. In addition to the successful national data mobilization framework, GBIF is developing thematic data use cases to accelerate towards the goals set forth in the Framework's priority areas. The thematic data mobilization will identify critical data gaps in areas of research and policy importance and work with new communities to mobilize this data into the GBIF network. Additionally, we will work with user communities to facilitate and track data use. These thematic topics will include areas of interest to global policy initiatives, such as human health, invasive species, agricultural biodiversity, eDNA and others. Aligned with this work is the enhancement of the GBIF Data Model, based on DwC, to better integrate data from diverse sources. We expect that this advancement will encourage the publishing of more and diverse data types that can be used to improve science for research and policy relevance of GBIF-mediated data. In order to accomplish this ambitious Strategic Framework, GBIF will also need to evolve how we operate. The pandemic has taught us that virtual interactions are positive, but have limits. We are developing a more distributed workforce and importantly expanding collaborations, such as with the Atlas of Living Australia, Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG), and the Catalogue of Life on joint infrastructure and models. These alliances build interoperability, enlarge and improve data mobilization and use, and quicken knowledge growth to strengthen the entire biodiversity knowledge network to meet our critical needs.