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Global Biodiversity Information Facility

Case Study: Largemouth Black Bass

Many natural habitats depend upon a delicate balance among myriad species of animals and plants that ensure each other's survival. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility's (GBIF) data can help predict where and when this balance may be upset, providing hard evidence to inform policies to protect the diversity of indigenous life.

One threat to the balance of an ecosystem can be the arrival of a vigorous new species. A case in point is mankind's introduction of the largemouth black bass to Japan from North America around 1925. Largemouth bass multiply rapidly, eat native Japanese fish, and are quickly replacing native populations.

Japanese policymakers needed to know which areas of the country are most at risk from largemouth bass, in order to protect native species where they are most threatened. The answer was found by analysing and comparing the kind of digital specimen data obtained through GBIF.

Researchers used specimen records of largemouth bass to draw up a profile of the kinds of environments where largemouth black bass thrive in North America. They then identified which geographical regions of Japan have the most similar conditions.

The result was a map of Japan that highlights the areas where largemouth bass might spread (the darker the colour, the better the match). The researchers then tested the model by adding in all known records for largemouth bass actually found in Japan (yellow dots). The fish were just where the GBIF data forecast.

This application of GBIF data enables Japan to direct its efforts to defend native wildlife in areas where the threat is greatest - perhaps in some places even before the first largemouth black bass swims onto the scene.

The same kind of predictions can help policymakers elsewhere plan for preventing the further spread of other harmful invasive species. Such is the power that GBIF brings to practical applications by linking and unlocking the wealth of biodiversity information that is scattered around the world.

Map of Largemouth Black Bass in Japan

Largemouth Black Bass