The Biodiversity & Environmental Resource Data System of Belize (BERDS)

What makes BERDS unique is its integrated spatial approach to data analysis, management and dissemination. BERDS merges a wide array of useful data resources (e.g., documents, people, organisations, projects, specimen collections, datasets, multimedia) with an integrated and comprehensive GIS mapping and analysis capability to form a powerful data visualisation and investigation toolset for research and monitoring efforts.

BERDS is hosted and maintained by Belize Tropical Forest Studies, a Belizean NGO, however, the growth of its data holdings and its long-term financial sustainability are driven by the participation of BERDS' national, regional and international partners. Since its launch in August 2005, BERDS has grown to become the preeminent environmental data resource for Belize. The database has grown by 154%, holding over 39,000 data records and provides visual and text access to over 30 accurate spatial data sets as well as a unique visual-based search facility.