The Atlas of Living Australia is a national, collaborative project providing everyone from school students to scientists with easy, online access to a vast repository of information about the diversity of Australia’s plants and animals. With over 36 million records, the Atlas includes distribution and molecular data, images, literature, maps and sound recordings.

 

Powerful mapping and analysis tools and open source software allow researchers and the public to explore and analyse information in novel ways, generating new research possibilities and improving knowledge.

 

The Atlas also encourages participation by “citizen scientists”, enabling participant’s engagement with the natural environment and increasing our knowledge of Australian species.

 

The Atlas is a world-leading example of biodiversity information management at a national scale, and of the benefits of both open data and open infrastructure. It is used by researchers, teachers, students, local communities and natural resource managers – anyone who wants to know more about the living world, identify species or understand their distribution.

 

The first ALA Science Symposium will highlight and celebrate Atlas-enabled research and operational outcomes.