GBIF 2010 Forward Look Report

The Forward Look Team (FLT) has reviewed extensive information, considered key documents, and engaged in discussions with many players within and outside of the GBIF1 network. The FLT has contemplated major drivers in the biodiversity informatics world and the major challenges and opportunities for GBIF in the coming years. This report makes suggestions both at the horizon level (i.e., 5‐20 years into the future) and more immediately, with the latter considerations aimed at making the horizon‐level vision possible. In the considered opinion of the FLT, the core focus of GBIF in its next phase should continue to be on mobilizing large quantities of known‐quality primary biodiversity data, principally at the organism (species) level, that is as broadly representative, both geographically and taxonomically, as possible.