Belize’s Contributions to Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
- Admin/Marketing Officer
- Jul 14
- 2 min read
The University of Belize Environmental Research Institute (UB-ERI) has released a new research brief highlighting Belize's growing contribution to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), an international open access biodiversity database. The brief explores how biodiversity data collected in Belize are supporting scientific research worldwide while identifying opportunities to strengthen national leadership in biodiversity data publishing and use.
GBIF provides free access to millions of species occurrence records from around the world, enabling researchers, policymakers, and conservation practitioners to better understand biodiversity patterns and inform evidence-based decision-making. As of March 2026, Belize has contributed more than 7.8 million species occurrence records to GBIF, representing over 981 datasets and supporting scientific studies globally. The majority of these records are published through international platforms such as eBird, iNaturalist, and the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS).
UB-ERI is currently the only Belizean organization registered as a GBIF data publisher. Through collaborations with national partners, the Institute has published approximately 30,000 biodiversity observations across 11 datasets. Since 2017, these datasets have contributed to 141 academic outputs, including peer-reviewed journal articles, reports, theses, and working papers, collectively receiving more than 2,000 citations.
The brief also highlights that opportunities to expand Belize’s biodiversity data contributions still exist. To date, birds account for the vast majority of published records, leaving many taxonomic groups such as mammals, amphibians, reptiles, fungi, and mollusks, underrepresented.
By adopting standardized data management practices and publishing more nationally generated biodiversity data through GBIF, Belize can maximize the value of its biodiversity monitoring efforts while increasing the country's visibility and impact within the global scientific community.
UB-ERI remains committed to advancing open biodiversity data, strengthening national capacity in biodiversity informatics, and supporting collaborations that ensure Belize's biodiversity knowledge contributes to both global science and local conservation.
Read the brief by clicking the link below:
