OBISs

OBISs, or Ocean Biogeographic Information Systems, refer to a network of interoperable data infrastructures that collect and share marine species distribution records. The core OBIS is a global open-access platform, while regional or national OBIS nodes contribute local or specialized data. Together, OBISs enable large-scale analyses of marine biodiversity, biogeography, and environmental change.

Content within OBISs generally includes occurrence records, taxonomic information, sampling methods, geographic location, date or time of observation, and depth or bathymetry where available. Data are enriched with provenance and metadata to indicate source, collection effort, and quality controls. The system emphasizes interoperability by aligning with standard biodiversity data schemas and controlled vocabularies to facilitate integration with other databases.

Access and use are governed by open data principles. The OBIS portal provides search, visualization, and download capabilities, often via an API, enabling researchers to combine OBIS data with other environmental or ecological datasets. Data licensing typically supports reuse with appropriate attribution, and data quality is maintained through collaboration with data providers and ongoing validation processes. OBISs are designed to be interoperable with international biodiversity infrastructures, including GBIF, to maximize utility for science and policy.

Governance and structure: OBISs operate under a global coordinating framework, OBIS-International, with regional nodes feeding data into the global network. This distributed model allows regional specialization while preserving a unified data standard and shared access. The concept originated in large-scale biodiversity initiatives and has evolved to support marine conservation, climate-change impact assessments, and biodiversity reporting.

Limitations can include uneven geographic coverage, taxonomic gaps, and varying data quality among providers. Users are advised to review metadata for context and licensing terms before reuse.