GBIF

API

Free API for global biodiversity data access

Overview

The GBIF API offers RESTful access to global biodiversity datasets, including species occurrence records, taxonomic information, and dataset metadata. Responses are in JSON format. Key endpoints include /occurrence/search for filtering species observations, /species/match for taxonomic name resolution, and /dataset for exploring data sources. Use cases include scientific research on species distribution, conservation planning, educational tools, and integrating biodiversity data into apps or platforms.

Example Integration (JavaScript)

script.js JS


fetch('https://www.gbif.org/developer/summary')
  .then(res => res.json())
  .then(data => console.log(data))
  .catch(err => console.error(err));

Key Features

RESTful API
JSON responses
No mandatory API key
Global biodiversity data
Taxonomic resolution endpoints
Occurrence record filtering

Frequently Asked Questions

? Is GBIF free to use?

Yes, the GBIF API is completely free for both non-commercial and commercial use. API keys are recommended but not required.

? Does it require an API Key?

Anonymous access is allowed, but using an API key (available via a free GBIF account) increases rate limits and enables usage tracking.

? What is the response format?

All endpoints return data in JSON format, ensuring compatibility with most development tools and applications.

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Tool Info

Pricing Free

Category Science & Math

Platform Public API

Pros

⊕ Free to use
⊕ Extensive global dataset
⊕ Well-documented
⊕ Flexible search filters
⊕ Open access to biodiversity data

Cons

⊖ Rate limits for anonymous users
⊖ Variable data quality across sources
⊖ No real-time data streaming