SDMdata: A Web-Based Software Tool for Collecting Species Occurrence Records

Area of Science:

• Biodiversity Informatics
• Ecological Modeling
• Computational Biology

Background:

• Accurate species distribution data is essential for reliable species distribution models (SDMs).
• Existing methods for data collection and validation can be time-consuming and prone to errors.
• A need exists for automated or semi-automated tools to streamline data quality control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a user-friendly, web-based software tool named SDMdata.
• To facilitate the efficient collection of species occurrence data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).
• To implement automated checks for species name accuracy and coordinate precision (latitude and longitude).

Main Methods:

• Development of a web application using Python.
• Integration with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) API for data retrieval.
• Implementation of algorithms for species name validation and coordinate error detection.

Main Results:

• SDMdata provides an accessible platform for obtaining and cleaning species occurrence data.
• The tool automates critical data quality checks, reducing manual effort and potential errors.
• The software is open-source and freely available, promoting wider adoption in ecological research.

Conclusions:

• SDMdata enhances the efficiency and reliability of preparing species distribution data for SDMs.
• The tool addresses a significant need for automated data quality control in biodiversity informatics.
• Open-source availability of SDMdata encourages collaborative development and application in ecological studies.