The Virtual Biodiversity Research and Access Network for Taxonomy (ViBRANT) project supports the development of virtual research communities involved in biodiversity science.

ViBRANT is funded by the European Union 7th Framework Programme within the Research Infrastructures group.

Objectives

"To set up the means, tools and infrastructure to produce a more rational and a more effective framework for European biodiversity research."

Virtual Research Communities

ViBRANT helps biodiversity researchers from all corners of the world to work together in Virtual Research Communities. Each community website (Scratchpads) contains tools and services that enable users to study biodiversity in all its different facets. Scratchpads is the social media component of ViBRANT.

Online space to store and share biodiversity data

ViBRANT helps ro create an online space for users to safely store and share biodiversity data currently scattered all over the world. It provides portals that can be customised to filter biodiversity data relevant to the users needs. ViBRANT is also researching ways to make biodiversity data standards more accessible, helping to improve the quality and reach of this information.

Bridge the gap between the producers of data and the communities

ViBRANT aims to bridge the gap between the producers of taxonomic and systematic information and the communities that use it by using technology to help synthesise taxonomic data, making it more assessable and interchangeable for a range of different communities.