National Biodiversity Network (NBN)
The NBN is a project to build the UK's first network of biodiversity information.
The National Biodiversity Network (NBN) has been established to make biodiversity information in the UK more accessible.
Biodiversity information includes the observational information gathered by amateur naturalists, as well as the environmental data gathered by government agencies, such as the Environment Agency.
This information can help conservationists make informed decisions about our natural environment. The NBN will make this information more accessible and understandable to potential users through the use of modern information technology.
The NBN is led by both government agencies and voluntary bodies, including: the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Natural Environment Research Council, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, The Wildlife Trusts, The Natural History Museum and the National Federation for Biological Recorders.
The Natural History Museum is leading or participating in the following projects in support of the NBN:
Species dictionary
The Species dictionary is a free online reference to british wildlife. It aims to bring together the various names given to the estimated 50,000 species of animals, fungi and plants in Britain in a comprehensive reference for wildlife enthusiasts and scientists. Users have free access to more than 110,000 different names of UK species from over 150 groups. The website is hosted and managed by the Natural History Museum on behalf of the National Biodiversity Network Trust.
View the Species dictionary.
Nature Navigator
Nature Navigator provides a single access point to information on more than 8,000 of the best-known species that occur in Britain. It will guide you through the mass of names of organisms, showing you the preferred scientific and common names, related organisms and where they fit into the classification of the natural world.
View Nature Navigator.