The RNP project to support the Information System on Brazilian Biodiversity (SiBBr) began in January in the construction, introduction and operation of a spatial data infrastructure (SDI) on Brazilian biodiversity and ecosystems.

“In this first phase, the actions are focused on the development of a pilot platform allowing the sharing of georeferenced biodiversity data among the institutions belonging to SiBBr, which should be completed in the next six months. The remaining activities will be considered in the following phases, which are being modeled between RNP and the Office for Research and Development Policies and Programs of the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (Seped/MCTIC)”, says Christian Miziara – Project Manager of RNP.

The concept of spatial data infrastructures (SDIs) has been disseminating globally since the 1990s, since it is a tool to help geo-localized information management, both by states and society. “This perception is related to the enhancement of geographic information at the global level because of concerns about the environment, especially after Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development underscore the need to expand procurement, data analysis using new technologies as the Geographic Information System (GIS), Remote Sensing (RS) and Global Positioning System (GPS)”, details Miziara.

In this context, Brazil established, in 2008, the creation of a national SDI, named National Spatial Data Infrastructure (Inde), under the responsibility of the National Cartography Commission. Its purpose is to catalog, integrate and harmonize existing geospatial data in Brazilian government institutions, so that they can be easily accessed and used by any Internet user. Thus, the project results will also enable RNP to provide in the Inde georeferenced data of interest to the scientific community.

“In view of the interest and need of RNP's universities and research centers to join Inde and include research and teaching activities in the national platform, the organization is being structured to act as a central node in the adhesion process from this community to infrastructure, which has the potential to impact research and development activities in areas as information and communication technology and information technology applied to biodiversity”, the manager emphasizes.

About SiBBr

Information System on Brazilian Biodiversity (SiBBr) is an initiative of MCTIC that has the financial support of the Global Environment Fund (GEF) and aims to implement an online system that integrates information on Brazilian biodiversity and ecosystems from several national and foreign sources.

The purpose of the initiative is to support research and scientific production and support decision-makers in the creation and introduction of public policies associated with environmental conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources by stimulating and facilitating the digitization, Integration of free access data and use of information on Brazilian biodiversity.

Through the SiBBr, Brazil integrates the Global Biodiversity Information System (GBIF), a greater global effort to know the biodiversity of the planet and to make free the existing information.