Compass Biodiversity Information System is a comprehensive and perhaps world-leading data management and mapping system to store, manage and present biological records – records of animal, plant or any other species. The data thus stored and presented can be used by planners, researchers, government and non-governmental organisations alike to support evidence based assessment of biodiversity.

The system has a wide range of features including:

• Presentation of data in a highly usable and visual mapping interface

• Handling of land and sea-based records simultaneously

• Ability to view a number of species at any one time and to undertake coincidence mapping so that areas of overlap between species can be mapped

• Time filtering of data to see presence of species over say a number of years or particular period of a year.

• Presentation of data at varying resolution depending on user permissions.

• Ability to add many supporting map layers such aerial imagery, designated areas, geology.

• Query tools to get back information on a record, an area, a designated site or other map feature.

• A comprehensive metadata system displaying details on datasets and showing distribution of records over time.

• Behind the scenes tools for loading data into the system from a range of sources including Excel templates, MapMate, Recorder.

• Tools for serving biological records to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

• Optional hosting of the facility using Compass hosting facilities, or Cloud hosting.

The system is based on that used at the National Biodiversity Data Centre, Ireland – Ireland’s biological records centre. Compass now seek to extend the use of that system to other regions, countries or organisations.