GBIF Work Programme 2024

Annual Update and Implementation Plan to theStrategic Framework 2023–2027
Version 1.0, 19 October 2023

Table of Contents
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Priority Area 1: Science and Research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Activity 1.1: Drive mobilization and use of biodiversity data to support priority thematic areas ofrelevance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Activity 1.2: Advance GBIF’s contribution to latest biodiversity modelling approaches. . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Ongoing activities to support science and research . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Priority Area 2: Policy and Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Activity 2.1: Support implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Activity 2.2: Support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Activity 2.3: Support the science-policy interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Activity 2.4: Support nature-positive outcomes from decisions in the business, financial andproductive sectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Ongoing activities to support policy and partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Priority Area 3: Community and Capacity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Activity 3.1: Communicating the value of GBIF. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Activity 3.2: Support and strengthen GBIF nodes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Activity 3.3: Expand and strengthen national participation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Activity 3.4: Develop capacity and skills . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Ongoing activities to support community and capacity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Priority Area 4: Infrastructure and data products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Activity 4.1: Enhance robustness of the core GBIF infrastructure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Activity 4.2: Enhance support services for data publishers and users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Activity 4.3: Enhance features and capabilities of the GBIF infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Activity 4.4: Drive data standards development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Ongoing activities to support infrastructure and data products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Colophon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Suggested citation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Persistent URI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Document control. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Introduction
This is the second annual GBIF Work Programme and annual update to Implementation Plan
2023–2027 (WP24) presented under the Strategic Framework for 2023-2027.
The work programmes of the current implementation plan are less granular than previous ones, with
an emphasis on what will be delivered and achieved to enable the GBIF Governing Board to assess
whether implementation is on track. Specific tasks, events or contracts are presented as indicative,
with the intention of enabling flexibility in how proposed outcomes are achieved, both within the
Secretariat and through the collective efforts of GBIF’s nodes and partners.
Each priority area contains up to four designated activities, as well as ongoing activities presenting
work that continues across the five-year implementation plan. Activity areas for 2024 include only
slight changes, with one activity area having been closed and two having been reworded to betterreflect the indicative tasks.
Some indicative tasks persist in 2023 because they require multiyear efforts to achieve the projected
outcomes, while many new indicative tasks appear in this work programme. Activity areas andindicative tasks should be viewed through a five-year time frame as we work to achieve the overall
mission of the 2023–2027 Strategic Framework.
The 2024 GBIF budget funds WP24 and is detailed in a separate document presented to theGoverning Board. Many indicative tasks described in WP24 include activities, such as external
contracts and workshops, that are funded through core funding, which are noted in the text. And, as
noted at the end of each activity section, supplementary funds have increased the scope of theactivities of WP24, enabling GBIF to move further and faster towards its strategic objectives.
Joe Miller
Executive Secretary, GBIF

Priority Area 1: Science and Research
Improving biodiversity evidence for scientific research and understanding

Activity 1.1: Drive mobilization and use of biodiversity
data to support priority thematic areas of relevance
Projected outcomes for 2027
• Knowledge gaps are reduced by consolidating data coverage across the thematic areas ofrelevance• GBIF’s relevance to research is enhanced, through increased recognition and uptake of GBIF
mediated data among researchers across additional scientific disciplines

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Commission an update to the systematic review of GBIF use in research (Heberling et al. 2021) to
identify trends in research uses for the 2020-2024 periods, deepen the analysis of methods andanalytical approaches, and inform future support for priority thematic areas of relevance• Advance collaborative activities across priority thematic areas of relevance based onrecommendations from the Science Committee, including establishing a task group on invasive1

alien species and engaging experts in agrobiodiversity• Strengthen and expand support and guidance on mobilizing DNA-derived data from a range ofdata holder types and scales, supported by data quality improvements, improved coverage ofDNA-detected organisms in the GBIF taxonomic backbone, and alignment of guidance with the
new GBIF data model• Expand data flows relating to vectors of human disease, in particular malaria-related data through
GBIF partnership in the Vector Atlas project, with additional data streams on non-malaria vectors
as recommended by the GBIF task group on vectors of human diseases◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: Salaried staff time apart from: external
contract for systematic review update (€20,000 core funds); external contracts for priority
thematic areas of relevance (€20,000 core funds, possible supplementary funds); contract for
expanding data flows on human disease vectors (supplementary funds: Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation through the Vector Atlas project)

Activity 1.2: Advance GBIF’s contribution to latest
biodiversity modelling approaches
Projected outcomes for 2027
• GBIF supports the evolution of fundamental data-driven biodiversity research and its application
across methods, scales and disciplines in life and environmental sciences

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Consolidate prototype digital twins dependent on and coordinated by GBIF through partnershipon BioDT, support user-group testing of prototype twins and links to key biodiversity data
infrastructures, and build connections between projects and initiatives through shared data andservice dependencies (such as B-Cubed)• Improve GBIF’s capabilities to manage ecological data streams from key infrastructures andmonitoring programmes, applying new data model to accommodate richer data (including
absences based on complete species inventories) while designing data flows and outputs inplanned workshop on the TDWG Humboldt Extension (see also activities 4.3 and 4.4)
◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: Salaried staff apart from: travel costs for
Digital Twin activities (supplementary funds: Horizon Europe (BioDT); workshop costs for
managing ecological data streams (€20,000 core funds, possible supplementary funds from
Cornell Lab for Ornithology )Ongoing activities to support science and research• Maintain GBIF’s literature tracking programme to document and communicate the use of GBIFmediated data in research (€10,000 from core funding for DataCite fee)
• Promote best practices in data citation using digital object identifiers (DOIs), through outreach toresearchers and journal publishers• Highlight and illustrate uses of GBIF-mediated data across scientific disciplines and thematic
areas through GBIF.org and the annual Science Review• Continue engagement with thematic communities prioritized in previous Work Programme (soiland freshwater); keep priority thematic relevance areas under regular review, based on outcomesachieved and on advice of the Science Committee and expert groups convened for this purpose2• Capture needs and suggestions from research communities regarding the development of the
GBIF data model• Ensure presence of GBIF representatives—including through Secretariat and node staff, regional
contractors and Open Biodiversity Data Ambassadors—at relevant scientific conferences withappropriate communication materials, presentations and training workshops• Run annual competitions through the Ebbe Nielsen Challenge and Graduate ResearchersAwards(€20,000 from core funding in 2024)• Work with partners to maintain and improve support for academic programmes in use of open
biodiversity data
• Keep GBIF’s compliance with FAIR principles for scientific data management and stewardshipunder continuous review, with appropriate communication and certification for relevant projects
and processes

Priority Area 2: Policy and Partnerships
Developing partnerships that benefit policy and society

Activity 2.1: Support implementation of the post-2020
Global Biodiversity Framework
Projected outcomes for 2027
• GBIF-mediated data is consistently and transparently applied and cited across multiple indicators
used to monitor progress towards the goals and targets agreed through the UN Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD)• GBIF is recognized as a key implementation partner for biodiversity-related projects supported by
the Global Environment Facility (GEF)• GBIF-mediated data is fully integrated into national Clearing-House Mechanism (CHM) platforms
as well as national reporting processes for the CBD

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Work with partners to ensure that GBIF contributes efficiently and transparently to the finalized
monitoring framework of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), particularly
headline indicators on invasive alien species (Target 6), business disclosures (Target 15) andavailability of data, information and knowledge (Target 21), and including expanded regional
mechanisms to support funding and capacity pipelines• Analyse GBIF’s relevance across all goals, targets and mechanisms of the GBF and incorporate theresults within communication and nodes guidance materials (see also activities 3.1 and 3.2)
• Explore the potential of 'data cube' delivery formats from GBIF to support further development of
biodiversity indicators at national, regional and global levels• Implement the partnership agreement with Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation
Network (GEO BON), including joint promotion at CBD meetings, development of guidance foralignment of nodes and Biodiversity Observation Networks, and application of the new data model
to support standardized observations• Formalize GBIF’s position as a service provider for implementing agencies of the Global
Environment Facility (GEF)3• Improve GBIF connections and explore partnerships with other biodiversity-related conventions,such as the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), the Convention on International Trade inEndangered Species of Wild Fauna and Fauna (CITES) and Ramsar Convention on Wetlands,
including through better coordination between GBIF nodes and national focal points◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: salaried staff apart from: travel to relevant
meetings including COP16 (core funds); travel to workshops relating to data cube delivery(supplementary funds: Horizon Europe B-Cubed project).

Activity 2.2: Support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development
Projected outcomes for 2027
• GBIF’s value in supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is recognized andreinforced through strategic partnerships with relevant international organizations focused on
climate change, food security, human health and well-being, and both terrestrial and marine
biodiversity• Relevance to multiple SDGs contributes to a broader funding base for GBIF both through projectbased support and national contributions• National contributions and project-based support provide a broader funding base that increases
GBIF’s relevance to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and SDGs

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Establish formal partnerships with key agencies to support GBIF’s relevance to the SDGs, inparticular with regard to human health, food security (building on a Letter of Intent signed with
the Plant Treaty in 2023), and climate change• Organize a joint meeting with the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) to advance workon a marine biodiversity data strategy based on 2023 discussions, and recognizing GBIF’s position
as a partner in the Marine Life 2030 programme within the UN Decade on Ocean Science for
Sustainable Development• Scope and commission an initial Environment and Social Governance (ESG) report relating to
GBIF’s operational policies, including but not restricted to carbon and environmental footprints
and gender, diversity and inclusion guidelines◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: salaried staff apart from: workshop costs formarine meeting (€10,000 core funds, possible supplementary funds to be identified); external
contract for ESG report (€30,000 core funds).

Activity 2.3: Support the science-policy interface
Projected outcomes for 2027
• GBIF’s role in providing data infrastructure essential to the work of the Intergovernmental
Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is fully recognized andcommunicated• GBIF’s use in policy and decision processes is enhanced through partnerships and better
communicated4Indicative tasks for 2024
• Develop implementation plan for renewed partnership with IPBES, including involvement in task
forces, data support for assessments, and mobilization of priority data in response to knowledge
gaps• Engage in the IPBES fast-track methodological assessment on monitoring biodiversity andecosystem services, approved at the IPBES 10 plenary meeting in 2023
• Refine capture of additional citations of the use of GBIF-mediated data in policy implementationand communicate key illustrative examples• Formalize partnerships with relevant organizations supporting the science-policy interface◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: Salaried staff apart from: possible external
contracts for filling IPBES knowledge gaps via the BID programme (supplementary funds from
European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships); external contract
for student support to mine backlog from policy citation database (core funds).

Activity 2.4: Support nature-positive outcomes fromdecisions in the business, financial and productive
sectors

The proposed changes to the wording of this activity, which previously referred only
to the private sector, recognize that the same approach applies to publicly owned
corporations, financial institutions, and organizations in the productive sectors
including agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry

Projected outcomes for 2027
• Lending agreements prepared by financial institutions and public development banks include
clear and unequivocal requirements for sharing biodiversity data
• Private companies, trade associations and consultancies in all global regions recognize GBIF as
the preferred platform to share primary biodiversity data gathered through impact assessments
and monitoring

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Support implementation of the Data4Nature initiative by developing targeted outreach,
communication and training resources to engage multilateral development banks (MDBs) anddevelopment funding agencies and increase flows of business-sector data from environmental
impact assessments, monitoring programmes and funded projects• Organize forum for MDBs and other potential Data4Nature partners to detail progress andencourage further participation at UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 16) or other relevant venue• Continue engagement with the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), in
particular with regard to the recommendation of a global nature-related public data facility tosupport corporate reporting for the Global Biodiversity Framework◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: Salaried staff apart from: external contract tocoordinate Data4Nature initiative (€45,000 core funds), meeting costs for forum (€40,000
core funds, potential supplementary funds from Data4Nature partners)

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Ongoing activities to support policy and partnerships• Attend CBD meetings and engagement in consultations and working groups as an observer intergovernmental organization• Attend IPBES plenary meetings and actively engage in the IPBES Task Force on Data andKnowledge, as well as the IPBES Task Force on Capacity Building, in GBIF’s role as an IPBES
strategic partner• Engage with GEO BON through participation in the Advisory Board and partnerships with regional
and thematic BONs
• Continue engagement with IUCN to implement the Memorandum of Cooperation, including regularimports of checklist data from the Red List of Threatened Species and the Global Register ofIntroduced and Invasive Species (GRIIS)

Priority Area 3: Community and Capacity
Developing the GBIF network to meet future needs and challenges

Activity 3.1: Communicating the value of GBIF

The proposed change to Activity 3.1 (previously "Making the business case for
GBIF"), consolidates the communication tasks needed to support activities across all
Priority Areas under a single broader activity.

Projected outcomes for 2027
• The Secretariat, nodes and Heads of Delegation are equipped with robust materials todemonstrate GBIF’s value for money• Additional countries join or return to GBIF as Voting Participants• Additional funding agencies or foundations commit supplementary funds to support GBIF
activities as part of the resource mobilization strategy

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Update the GBIF Communications Strategy, revising and revisiting key audiences and messages
to account for changes and developments since its publication in 2015
• Refresh messaging and materials across GBIF communication platforms to reflect and update key
components of GBIF’s value to the network’s Participants, publishers, partners and stakeholders,
including:◦ GBIF’s value to science, research and innovation, particularly in the priority thematic areas
identified under Activity 1.1◦ GBIF’s role in supporting implementation and monitoring of the GBF and other biodiversityrelated conventions◦ GBIF’s contribution to supporting the SDGs
◦ The financial value of GBIF to science and society◦ The specific value that GBIF membership provides through exclusive services andopportunities for participating governments

6◦ GBIF’s position as a data infrastructure and network that supports open data and open
science◦ GBIF’s record in managing effective capacity enhancement programmes that produce
concrete results in mobilizing data demonstrating onward use through research citations, anddocumenting policy applications• Prepare a second series of animated videos on additional areas of GBIF relevance aligned withpriority thematic campaigns• Produce an annual report summarizing progress toward implementing the new strategic
framework in 2023
• Capture and communicate the value of work carried out by GBIF volunteers (mentors, trainers,
translators, ambassadors and other voluntary roles) and report to national nodes and delegations
on the value of uncharged work from volunteers in their countries• Develop branding, launch and promote use of the ‘derived dataset’ tool to support and encourage
more accurate citations and provide data publishers with more precise reporting on uses of theirdata in research and policy◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: salaried staff apart from: external contracts
and materials for communications strategy (€100,000 core funding); commission new set ofanimated videos (€25,000 core funding).

Activity 3.2: Support and strengthen GBIF nodes
Projected outcomes for 2027
• GBIF nodes provide a strong and stable foundation for data mobilization and use through the
network• The role of GBIF nodes as hubs for data mobilization and use is better understood and supported,
especially at national level

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Refine the Node Awards programme based on lessons learned from its first year of operation• Update guidance and support materials for nodes, including:◦ Alignment with the Participation and Engagement strategy◦ Further development of the nodes training curriculum◦ Review of the capacity self-assessment tool for Participant nodes◦ Guidelines on applying the CARE principles on indigenous data governance, following 2023
consultation◦ Guidelines on national approaches to handling sensitive species data, following 2023 analysis• Following successful piloting in 2023, establish the Technical Support Hour for Nodes as apermanent forum for community exchange and interaction, peer-to-peer training and problemsolving• Develop materials on the new data model for nodes to reuse and repurpose in engaging dataholders• In consultation with nodes, explore opportunities to enable secondments and work exchange
within the GBIF network• Develop a process for replicating the survey of national nodes to capture information on the value

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of national investment in the GBIF network◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: salaried staff, apart from: support for pilot
secondment programme (€40,000 core funding).

Activity 3.3: Expand and strengthen national
participation
Projected outcomes for 2027
• GBIF national participation is expanded across currently under-represented regions, G20
economies and megadiverse nations• Current Associate Participants have agreed pathways towards achieving or returning to voting
participation

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Consolidate the nodes onboarding programme and scope possible onboarding actions for Heads
of Delegation• Maintain and consolidate the regional support teams to complement and supplement the work ofnational nodes, and scope development of regional-level node support through associate partners• Organize an in-person engagement event with the regional support team to strengthen
participation in underrepresented parts of the Europe and Central Asia region (e.g. Central Asia,
Caucasus, Balkans, Baltics)◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: salaried staff apart from: external contracts
for regional support teams (€80,000 core funds for the Asia support team, supplementary
funding from Norway and Finland for Priority Area 3 Special Purpose Fund, European
Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships through the BID programme);
ECA regional engagement meeting costs (supplementary funds from Priority Area 3 Special
Purpose Fund).

Activity 3.4: Develop capacity and skills
Projected outcomes for 2027
• GBIF’s ongoing capacity support programmes are successfully concluded, and new support
programmes are scoped• Additional training and guidance resouces are available to the community in multiple languages
covering both data mobilization and data use

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Launch a continuation of the BID programme once contract is secured with the European
Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships, explore additional funding
sources, and organize regional meetings in target regions (co-located with regional nodes
meetings, where possible)• Reevaluate the impact of the GBIF Capacity Enhancement Support Programme (CESP) anddevelop recommendations for improvements• Update materials within GBIF training courses aligned with the new data model, adding new8

materials and use cases as appropriate◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: salaried staff apart from: external contracts
and BID regional meeting costs (supplementary funding from European Commission
Directorate-General for International Partnerships ) .

Ongoing activities to support community and capacity• Organize annual calls for projects under the Capacity Enhancement Support Programme (CESP):€80,000 from core funds for 2024
• Continue to support proposals for hosted portals, and to support the Living Atlases community
including contribution towards the cost of a technical coordinator• Provide ongoing support for documentation, including formatting and translation capabilities• Operate effective communication channels that produce and disseminate news items andthematic content on GBIF.org and in social media, regular opt-in and publisher newsletters, andongoing communications to the nodes• Continue cycle of biennial regional nodes meetings (€40,000 core funding to support 2024
meeting costs, other costs expected to be met from supplementary funds including BID)
• Organize events to engage GBIF Heads of Delegation and node managers attending otherinternational meetings including through the CBD and IPBES• Coordinate work of volunteer mentors, ambassadors and regional support contractors• Support Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG)
organizational contributions towards annual meetings

community

throughfinancialandPriority Area 4: Infrastructure and data
products
Maintain and evolve infrastructure to advance biodiversity-related knowledge

Activity 4.1: Enhance robustness of the core GBIF
infrastructure
Projected outcomes for 2027
• GBIF-maintained software and informatics infrastructure provides high, ongoing levels ofavailability and performance that keep pace with growth in data publication and use

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Retire the internal GBIF checklist database and replace it with ChecklistBank, and deploy
corresponding updates to public GBIF APIs
• Maintain deployments of hosted portals and hosted data repositories (IPTs)• Maintain GBIF R (rgbif) and Python (pygbif) libraries to follow changes in GBIF public interfaces
and support outcomes, including eDNA engagement activities• Mature deployment and operation of software on the Kubernetes technology platform• Review and test disaster recovery processes9• Plan capacity and hardware procurement to accommodate growth in volume and use of data
• Provide environments for development and network-wide testing, particularly related to indexing
under revised data standards◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: salaried staff apart from: payment for
Kubernetes platform training (€20,000 core funding), costs of hardware procurement(€100,000 core funding).

Activity 4.2: Enhance support services for data
publishers and users
Projected outcomes for 2027
• The expanding GBIF community of users are fully supported by a responsive help desk team andimproved technical documentation• The taxonomic and collections communities benefit from improvements in GBIF support to the
Global Registry of Scientific Collections (GRSciColl) and the Catalogue of Life

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Establish a ticketing system to manage, prioritize and monitor help desk support• Replace the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy with the extended release of the Catalogue of Life
Checklist, produced using ChecklistBank• Support content curation on GRSciColl and coordinate editor and user communities as well as
data import and synchronisation processes• Upgrade documentation by◦ Enhancing the understanding of data quality through consistent, accessible documentation of
all related processes, tools and information products◦ Revising the documentation on record-quality requirements, including occurrence identifier
stability, and use of standardized values, including vocabularies◦ Consolidating and expanding the technical documentation◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: salaried staff apart from: contractor to support
ChecklistBank (core funding) costs of ticketing system (€20,000 core funding).

Activity 4.3: Enhance features and capabilities of the
GBIF infrastructure
Projected outcomes for 2027
• Improved user interface to GBIF.org• Improved capabilities for GBIF to handle ecological, collections, and phylogenetic data
• Data reuse increased through more stable GBIF identifiers

Indicative tasks for 2024
• Align interfaces, functionality and software used in GBIF.org, hosted portals, the shared data
pipeline project and the Living Atlases10• Improve ability for users to filter based on categories of dataset origins, including citizen science,
eDNA and the business sector• Advance capabilities for event-based search, based on prototype co-developed with the Atlas of
Living Australia, and explore support for the forthcoming Humboldt extension on species
inventories (see also activities 1.2 and 4.4)
• Implement a material catalogue to capture specimen information exposed in the new data model• Enrich GRSciColl through integration of collection description information, compatible with the
Latimer Core schema, to support use cases, including priority-setting for data mobilization anddigitization• Develop new data download formats that offer configurable summaries of occurrence data
• Improve data quality by:◦ Integrating basic data quality checks into the IPT and implementing emerging publishingmodels and changes to Darwin Core
◦ Continuing to explore approaches to annotation capabilities in GBIF.org focused on taxonomic
and geographic combinations to detect suspicious records, piloting rule-based issue
documentation with selected volunteer communities◦ Maturing the workflows that ensure stable GBIF occurrence identifiers and improving
communication about identified issues and solutions• Explore alternative platforms and methods for integrating and managing information fromliterature tracking◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: salaried staff apart from: external contract for
UI contractor (core funding); external contract to support GRSciColl integration (core funding);
travel to support development of data cube format for B-cubed project (supplementary funds
from Horizon Europe ).

Activity 4.4: Drive data standards development
Projected outcomes for 2027
• The revised GBIF data model is matured and applicable for use• All controlled terms used in GBIF processing are managed in the vocabulary serverIndicative tasks for 2024
• Mature the unified data model aiming to become a candidate standard within Biodiversity
Information Standards (TDWG)• Refine and test data publishing models for specimen data with community members• Develop publishing models for monitoring data (abundance and absence) and structured events
around targets to improve support of inventory data using the Humboldt extension (see also
activities 1.2 and 4.3)
• Advance data models for interaction data
• Encourage growth of the community of vocabulary editors to accelerate the collection ofcommunity-curated vocabularies• Complete the migration of content and associated code to use the vocabulary-server for all
controlled terms◦ Expected funding mechanisms and sources: salaried staff apart from: external contract to11

support further development of the unified data model (core funding)Ongoing activities to support infrastructure and data
products• Combined cost of contractors across priority area 4: €287,000 from core funds• Software maintenance (upgrades, bug fixes, capture and handling of change requests, addedfunctionality) and user support (IPT, hosted portals, GBIF.org, GRSciColl, registry, ChecklistBank
and taxonomic backbone builds)• Hardware maintenance (purchases, installation, supervision/monitoring, optimization, operation
planning, screening of future needs)• Infrastructure upgrades to the latest possible versions of widely used frameworks and cluster
technology (web services stack, search engines, distributed data platforms)• Systems support (monitoring and remediation of risks from technical debt, operational
supervision and issue handling)• In-house support (error diagnostics, installation support, load tracking, training)• General help desk support through email and GitHub• Data user support (maintenance of rgbif and pygbif libraries, custom downloads, API use) andpublisher support (IPT, data formats, error diagnostics, custom metrics); training support throughwebinars, individual appointments, documentation, videos and workshops

Colophon
Suggested citation
GBIF Work Programme 2024: Annual Update and Implementation Plan to Strategic Framework
2023–2027 (2023) GBIF Secretariat: Copenhagen. https://doi.org/10.35035/doc-b226-sb32

Persistent URI
https://doi.org/10.35035/doc-b226-sb32

Document control
Final version, approved at the 30th Meeting of the GBIF Governing Board, October 202212