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A major breakthrough has occurred in the past decade, with the development of analytical tools to allow use of primary biodiversity data to generate predictive models of species distribution. This step has resulted in novel and exciting uses of the biodiversity data in natural history collections, and thus allows for broader opportunities and scenarios under which biodiversity data can be used. In this regard, biodiversity modelling is proving to be a very valuable tool for decision-making in many fields: from predicting impacts of global climate change on biodiversity, assessing the geographic potential of alien invasive species, tracking the spread of diseases and risk of disease transmission, identifying suitable places for protected areas, and assessing the likelihood of finding rare/endemic species, etc. Biodiversity modelling uses primary species occurrence data, such as that served by the GBIF Portal, and relates it to ecological and environmental data.
GBIF, in close collaboration with CONABIO (Mexico) and the University of Kansas Biodiversity Research Center (KU), is organizing a hands-on biodiversity data modelling workshop in Mexico City from 4-8 April 2005. The workshop will total 35 hours of classroom time, and will be conducted in English. For logistical reasons, the workshop will be limited to 20 participants. Participants will be expected to have significant background/experience in both biology/biodiversity, and the use of GIS tools (particularly ESRI tools, such as ArcView or ArcGIS).
Persons interested in attending the workshop must be nominated by the delegation of a GBIF Participant (see Current GBIF Participants for a list, and see Governing Board of GBIF for contact details). More information about the workshop, and the application form can be found at Call for Applications. Click here to see the full agenda.
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