Welcome to the USGS Center for Biological Informatics

As we enter the new millennium, our society faces many biological challenges. Of major concern are the increasing demands our ever-expanding population is placing on our natural resources. We must now address-and answer-difficult questions arising from this dilemma.

What steps can be taken to preserve species that appear to be on the way to extinction? What can we do to check the widespread invasion of non-native species-and how do we deal with these invasives once they've made a foothold? How can we effectively address the future of our national lands? And how do we allow for growth of our cities and towns while preserving our natural environment?

The key ingredient for addressing these and other questions-in a constructive way that results in workable solutions for the betterment of all-is information. Information, in the right form for the right audience at the right time, is needed to help understand biological problems, to formulate solutions, and to assess alternatives.

The Center for Biological Informatics was established to help do just that.

Our center is unique within the USGS Biological Resources Division. We are not designated as a biological science center but, instead, we are an information center designed to help scientists, land managers, the public, and others locate and apply information. Our task is to complement the work of our science centers by helping to bring their scientific information-along with scientific information from many other sources-to those who need it. For scientists, it may be to expand their understanding of the biological resources upon which we depend. Land managers may require information to help them make informed (and therefore better) decisions. And the public can view this same information, providing an educational aid and ensuring that all citizens can learn of the many issues we face and the actions being taken.

Our motto, Research to Practice, embodies the recognition that in developing information systems it is critically important to not only help people find data or information but also to help them apply those data or information to their particular problem or issue. It is in this application of the data that the real value is attained-through improved (better informed) decisions or through integration of information resulting in new knowledge that can be passed on to others. Hence, we seek to be a "bridge" from data collection (research) to its application (practice).

The Center for Biological Informatics is involved in four primary activities:

• Our center serves as the operating agent for the National Biological Information Infrastructure-the NBII-the gateway to biological data and information maintained by federal, state, and local government agencies; private-sector organizations; and other partners around the nation and the world. To support the development of the NBII and to help meet the needs of our varied customers, we maintain an informatics research and development program, which develops new and innovative ways to store, retrieve, and apply information. That is, we make the information about our biological resources easier to find and use.

• Our work also involves the collection of biological data from areas such as federal lands. These biological characterization activities provide foundational information for land managers and others who address biological resource management issues. Students and the public-anyone who wishes to learn more about our nation's rich biological heritage-can also view and use this information.

• Our center conducts research on geospatial technology applications to biological science. These advanced technologies allow us to accurately collect and analyze important biological information in a cost-effective manner.

As you review our pages, I hope that you will learn more about our organization and our programs, and that you will discover data sources or other scientific information that will be useful to you. By its nature, information technology is changing and growing rapidly-so be sure to visit our pages often to learn about new activities and innovations!