"BirdBase," a database of information about the distribution of Asian bird species that has been under construction since October 2000, has now been published on the web. The database was jointly developed by the Hokkaido Institute of Environmental Sciences and the national government's Science and Technology Agency.

As of November 2004, the database contained more than 300,000 items of information on 850 bird species and subspecies. Users can search for information such as species distribution. The data and information come from four organizations: the Hokkaido Institute of Environmental Sciences, BirdLife International, the Ministry of the Environment, and the Wild Bird Society of Japan.

This database is innovative in that it posts distribution data obtained both by various institutions and by individuals. It shows existing data and also allows birdwatchers to register their observations online using a fixed format.

Due to the recent prevalence of bird flu, concerns have been raised about protecting poultry and the possibility of transmission of bird flu to humans. Thus, this database has been referred to in studies on incidents of large-scale wild bird mortality and on zoonotic infections. The database has been declared highly useful not only in the field of bird research, but also in view of environmental conservation and medical and sanitary affairs. Its expansion is expected in the near future.



Posted: 2005/07/18 10:40:31 PM
Japanese version

TAG Ecosystem , Government , System/Law , University/Research institute