Encyclopedia Of Life

The Biodiversity Information Databases compiled by NatureServe represents a network of member programs comprising 74 independent centers that collect and analyze data about the plants, animals, and ecological communities of the Western Hemisphere. Information on species and ecological communities is first compiled from existing sources, such as scientific literature, field guides, and museum collections. Natural heritage biologists conduct extensive field inventories to locate and verify species populations and to assess their current conservation condition. Each program maintains and continuously updates a sophisticated computer database that tracks the relative rarity of each species or community and the precise location and status of each known population. Representing more than 25 years of continuous ecological inventory and database development, these are the most complete and up-to-date conservation databases available.