Ireland’s National Biodiversity Data Centre maps biodiversity observations and provides records, species, and dataset information.
Dataset
Ocean Biodiversity Information System
The Ocean Biodiversity Information System maps and provides marine biodiversity records searchable by species, datasets, and area.
About Ocean Biodiversity Information System
The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) is a web-based platform that aggregates and maps global marine biodiversity records for public and research use. It compiles data from a global network of contributors, including species observations, DNA sequences, measurements, and species distribution information.
Users can search the platform’s holdings by species name, geographic area, or specific dataset to access trusted marine biodiversity data. The platform also publishes recent datasets, news about marine biodiversity research, and updates on its global network of operational nodes.
OBIS is designed for marine researchers, environmental scientists, conservation planners, policymakers, and students working on ocean-related biodiversity, conservation, and climate research.
Key features
- Searchable marine biodiversity records by species, area, or dataset
- Access to 229M+ species observations and 83M+ DNA sequences
- Global coverage via 38 operational nodes across 99 countries
- Curated, trusted marine biodiversity data for research use
- Publicly available recent datasets and marine biodiversity news
Best for: It is most useful for marine researchers, conservation planners, and environmental policymakers working on ocean biodiversity and conservation projects.
Good for
- Aggregates large volumes of trusted, curated marine biodiversity data
- Provides free, open access to global marine biodiversity records
- Supports multiple search methods for targeted data retrieval
- Backed by a global network of nodes across 99 countries
Watch out for
- Limited exclusively to marine biodiversity data, no terrestrial or freshwater records
- Platform is not open source, with no public code repository available
Ocean Biodiversity Information System at a glance
- Official website
- obis.org
- Category
- Research & Data › Climate & Environmental Data
- Type
- Dataset
- Platforms
- Web
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Ocean Biodiversity Information System FAQ
What type of data is available on OBIS?
OBIS provides marine biodiversity data including species observations, DNA sequences, measurements, and species distribution records. All data is searchable by species, geographic area, or dataset.
Is OBIS data free to use?
OBIS offers free, open access to its aggregated marine biodiversity records for public and research purposes.
How many marine species are covered in OBIS?
As of the latest platform data, OBIS includes records for more than 208,000 marine species.
Does OBIS have a mobile app?
OBIS is only accessible via its web interface, with no dedicated mobile or desktop applications available.
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