For my research project, I need access to primary data on ecology, ecosystem and species-level data on number and dispersion. What are the best free sources widely available?
Thanks in advance,
Regards, Sidharta
There are a variety of data repositories out there on the web, many of which are specific to particular types of data. One of the larger, more general repositories is the Data Dryad: http://datadryad.org/.
They have a search function as well that should help you find what you need.
I am not as familiar with these links turned up by a Google search, but they might be more specific to your needs:
http://innge.net/wiki/index.php/Ecological_Databases
https://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/scicomp/data
I don't think you can get access to primary data unless you request it from authors. But it is unlikely that they will provide it since it underpins their own publications. You can still ask though! Summary data is usually available. But the best way is to create your own primary data lol :)
There are a variety of data repositories out there on the web, many of which are specific to particular types of data. One of the larger, more general repositories is the Data Dryad: http://datadryad.org/.
They have a search function as well that should help you find what you need.
I am not as familiar with these links turned up by a Google search, but they might be more specific to your needs:
http://innge.net/wiki/index.php/Ecological_Databases
https://www.nceas.ucsb.edu/scicomp/data
https://lternet.edu/
The Long-Term Ecological Research network is funded by the U.S. Government, so data are freely available. Data and metadata are available from several geographical sites.
Dear Sidharta! Please, see an example of an analysis of such a question (in the appendix of the article).
It'd really depend on the area you're planning to study, its habitats and its communities.
If you're planning to study threatened species, a good starting point could be webs like IUCN Red List which also includes some bibliography). http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Also, if you want to study species included in programs such as LIFE+ projects or flagged species of a natural reserve (for example), you can search for the progress of the project on the Internet (as many of the projects include a progressive actualization of their finds). There can be even a GIS visor for an animal abundance or habitat distribution. Example (it's in Spanish but I include it here to prove the high functionality of this kind of webs): LIFE+ project HUMEDALES DE LA MANCHA http://www.humedalesdelamancha.es/index.php/es/
Anyway, for a further and more specific approaching you should look for individual papers about your point of interest. You can ask the writers if they can give you a copy or a resume of their data or search in an institutional database if you have access to one.
I hope you find my response helpful and good luck on your search.
Atte. Emilio Payo
You could also try these freely available online databases:
http://www.compadre-db.org/Data
http://animaldiversity.org/
http://esapubs.org/archive/ecol/E090/184/metadata.htm
Collen, B. et al. Monitoring change in vertebrate abundance: the Living Planet Index. Conserv. Biol. 23, 317–327 (2009).
You can try with global biodiversity information facility
http://www.gbif.org/
Useful primary data are bountiful. You may explore the attached articles for the issues involved in obtaining and using primary biodiversity and environmental data including their resolution, interpolation, map projection, accuracy, seasonality, observation bias and language.
Article Fine resolution distribution modelling of endemics in Majell...
Article Where the bears roam in Majella National Park, Italy
Conference Paper Web-based biodiversity geodatabases for environmental assess...
Yes, but I still think the data repositories will not provide data in the detail you might require in order to perform statistical tests. But it all depends what you want to do. If it's just summary data that you require, then I think repositories are fine :)
Here is a good source of fish/marine species data that you can use in a million ways.
http://www.reef.org/db/reports
If you have trouble or want more specific guidance, contact Janna Nichols, [email protected]. She would be happy to help you navigate and find what you need.
Thanks to everyone for your kind info regarding data sources. I find there are lot of links which points to data sources which I can use for my current research.
However, I also agree with Andrew about the availability of primary data-since summary data or secondary data is available widely. Thanks anyway.
I am also browsing the IUCN database (including the Red List) on species-level data about current status on species abundance, but I need to ask, how helpful it could be for my current research? Are those data primary?
Regards, Sidharta
Dear Prof. Mitra,
I am searching for data related to those marine species that are either endangered or threatened. Like for example, of suborder whippomorpha that include cetacea. I am also searching for data on corals. I just browsed some of your articles and books which seems interesting and much relevant to my research.
Regards, Sidharta
Dear Sidharta,
You may try referring to these sites for species databases. Hope these help in your research (Biodiversity of British Columbia, Global Biodiversity Information Facility, The Scientific Committee on Antartic Research):
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