Cases & Voices

With over 22.5 million records, the Brazilian Biodiversity Information System (SiBBr), coordinated by the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Innovation of Brazil (MCTI) and operated by the National Education and Research Network (RNP), has taken the monitoring of the country’s fauna and flora to a new level. Brazil, considered one of the 17 megadiverse countries that host more than 70% of the planet’s known species, now has a much more detailed baseline for tracking its biodiversity.

For the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), a project partner, this platform addresses a growing demand for biodiversity information, both within and outside Brazil. Leonardo Bergamini, a biodiversity analyst at IBGE, explains that the most recent study assessed the data available in SiBBr to identify gaps and limitations. “IBGE’s mission is to represent Brazil, and biodiversity is a fundamental part of that picture,” he states.

A digital ecosystem in the service of science

Since its launch in 2014 with the support of RNP, a network allied with RedCLARA, SiBBr has become an essential tool for researchers, students, and government agencies. The MCTI oversees its development and maintenance, while a management contract with RNP guarantees its operation and availability. In 2018, the creation of a governing committee was made official, comprising research institutes and other organizations linked to the ministry, supported by advisory committees that contribute to the platform’s governance.

The importance of National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) in projects like SiBBr is crucial. These infrastructures enable large-scale data integration, access to advanced analytical tools, and collaboration among scientific institutions both domestically and internationally. As an important part of this research network ecosystem, RNP has been crucial in setting up SiBBr. It has made sure that all the networks can talk to each other and given scientists access to a strong digital platform that makes their work easier. This model demonstrates how digital infrastructure and connectivity can enhance research and knowledge generation in strategic areas such as biodiversity.

Birds: The best-documented group

Within the vast SiBBr database, birds and plants are the most extensively monitored groups, likely due to their ease of detection and collection. Birds, in particular, stand out not only for the volume of records but also for their quality: over 90% of the available data includes complete information, such as date, geographic coordinates, and species identification. In contrast, other groups, such as arthropods and fish, have a completeness level below 30%.

Access to detailed and high-quality information enhances knowledge of Brazil’s biodiversity and strengthens conservation decision-making. With an ever-expanding database and an increasingly engaged scientific community, SiBBr is positioned as a key tool for research and the preservation of the country’s natural heritage.

Most of the records in SiBBr are less than 10 years old. This is due to the increase in data production in recent years, along with improved georeferencing tools. While biological collections and research projects are major contributors of records, citizen science—often driven by user communities—also plays an important role.

“We need more people to learn about SiBBr so that the data can be used in public policies for environmental conservation,” says Clara Fonseca, a business analyst at SiBBr. “The more visibility the system has, the more researchers will be motivated to share their discoveries,” she concludes.

The original text was taken from the article New baseline for Brazil’s biodiversity | In The Field and is inspired by the article IBGE evaluates data records on Brazilian biodiversity in SiBBr, published on the RNP website.