| definition |
- SCAR-MarBIN (SCAR Marine Biodiversity Information Network) establishes and
supports a distributed system of interoperable databases, forming the OBIS
(Ocean Biogeographic Information System) Antarctic Node, under the aegis of
SCAR (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research).
SCAR-MarBIN compiles and manages existing and new information on Antarctic
marine biodiversity by coordinating, supporting, completing and optimizing
database networking. SCAR-MarBIN integrates these efforts, giving a single and
easy access to the marine biodiversity information and maximizing the
exploitation of these resources.
SCAR-MarBIN will leave a highly valuable legacy for future generations, in the
form of a powerful information tool, which will provide a baseline reference
for comparison with the future and past.
SCAR-MarBIN is closely linked to the Census of Antarctic Marine Life (CAML), an
ambitious 5-year project which will investigate the distribution and abundance
of Antarctica's marine biodiversity. CAML will focus the attention of the
public on the ice-bound oceans of Antarctica during the International Polar
Year (IPY) in 2007/08.
SCAR-MarBIN is implemented within the Belgian Biodiversity Platform (BBPF).
SCAR-MarBIN is supported by the Belgian Science Policy (BELSPO), the Alfred P.
Sloan Foundation (SLOAN) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
(SCAR) (SCAR).
SCAR-MarBIN is a Core International Polar Year Initiative (IPY).
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