Mountain and Plains Spatio-Temporal Database-Informatics Initiative (MaPSTeDI)

University Of Colorado At Boulder, Boulder CO

Investigators

Abstract

Museum collections are the main repository for past and current baseline biodiversity information. In order to utilize that baseline information as fully as possible for research and management decisions, the information must be available. This project will convert separate collections in Colorado into one distributed biodiversity database and research toolkit for the southern and central Rockies and adjacent plains. This area features tremendous biological diversity and has experienced and continues to experience many environmental changes that impact biodiversity. The collection involves almost 300,000 biological specimens. The format relies upon linking data to a geographic information system database. The system will allow for the query, analysis and synthesis of local and network information through a web interface, for researchers, managers and educators, as well as the public.