Promoting GBIF data use through a graduate degree programme in Biodiversity Informatics

Biodiversity informatics is a relatively new field of investigation but quite indispensable for acquiring deep knowledge on biodiversity and informing decision-making on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. Since its establishment in 2004, the national node in Benin has taken many initiatives to train national partners to build basic capacities in data digitization, formatting, cleaning and publishing, establishing a strong community of data publishers. Sufficiently convincing decision- and policy-makers of the impact of biodiversity informatics, however, requires sound data use cases. Realizing that for building capacity in data use—including treatment, analysis, spatial distribution and ecological niche modelling—a more organized framework is necessary, GBIF Benin has undertaken the initiative of creating a master’s degree programme in Biodiversity Informatics.