Benefits of establishing a node

Establishing a node is one of the key commitments that Participants make in joining GBIF. It is important to understand the roles that nodes play within GBIF, as well as the benefits that nodes provide on the national level.

Why are Participant nodes needed?

Read the following section of the Effective Nodes Guidance document:
NodesBenefits

Node services

Read the following section of the Effective Nodes Guidance document:

Nodes typically provide services in four key areas:

  1. Support for science and research, contributing to improving biodiversity evidence for scientific research and understanding

  2. Support for policy and decisions, contributing to developing partnerships that benefit policy and society

  3. Engaging and enabling the community, contributing to developing the GBIF network to meet future needs and challenges

  4. Technical services for biodiversity data management, contributing to maintaining and evolving infrastructure to advance biodiversity-related knowledge

There are often existing institutions and networks within a country at the time of joining GBIF that already provide at least some of these services. Understanding this landscape can help in deciding where to position a new node, and what its priorities should be. The coordination role is often especially important.

Consider your own country or organization

After reading more about the services that nodes provide, consider if any of these services are/are not already provided by institutions or networks within your country or organization.

Keep note of this in your activity sheet.

Check your understanding

Quiz yourself on the concepts learned in this section. Click resolve to get instant feedback on whether you selected the right answer.

  1. Which of the following is NOT a typical benefit of establishing a Participant node?

    • Nodes help to raise the visibility of data publishing institutions

    • Nodes gain access to an annual budget from the GBIF Secretariat

    • Nodes participate in capacity development programmes and projects funded by GBIF

    • Nodes help to raise the visibility of data publishing institutions

    • Nodes gain access to an annual budget from the GBIF Secretariat

    • Nodes participate in capacity development programmes and projects funded by GBIF

  2. Which of the following is NOT a service that Participant nodes typically provide?

    • Providing endorsement of biodiversity data publishers to be added to the GBIF network

    • Providing guidance on the implementation of GBIF work programmes in line with Participant priorities

    • Providing monthly reports to the GBIF Secretariat on data mobilization progress

    • Providing endorsement of biodiversity data publishers to be added to the GBIF network

    • Providing guidance on the implementation of GBIF work programmes in line with Participant priorities

    • Providing monthly reports to the GBIF Secretariat on data mobilization progress