Azorean Biodiversity Portal

Study Extent

This study covers the Archipelago of Azores, including the marine area.

Sampling

Data input is complex and requires interpretation and validation by experts at two levels: (i) taxonomic validation, where synonyms are traced and accepted species names are updated (see Borges et al., 2005b, 2010), and (ii) occurrence data evaluation, where each record is classified as secure or doubtful according to the reliability of the source and where the precision of the distribution is qualified (1=very precise locations, usually point UTM data; 2=localities not exceeding 25 km2; 3=imprecise localities; and 4=island occurrence [generally old publications]). All records are linked to the year of observation or collection of the species. Each record has a bibliographic reference attached to it, i.e papers, other publications, expert remarks, etc. All data digitization was performed during 5 years (2004–2008) by five specially trained technicians (i.e. 300 hours per person/month) supported by research grants from the EU INTERREG IIIB and the Azorean Government (Director of the Environment).

Quality Control

The dataset included regional experts on each taxonomic group, all data were strictly checked for taxonomic correct-ness (e.g. misidentifications, synonymies) and geographical inaccuracies and errors were corrected (e.g. spelling errors, wrong labels).

Method steps

1. The data in this occurrence dataset has been published as a Darwin Core Archive (DwC-A), which is a standardized format for sharing biodiversity data as a set of one or more data tables. The dataset table contains 2408695 records.

Lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants, molluscs, arthropods, vertebrates and coastal invertebrates of the Azores archipelago (Portugal, North Atlantic):

1. Animalia
   rank: kingdom
2. Annelida
   rank: phylum
3. Arthropoda
   rank: phylum
4. Chordata
   rank: phylum
5. Cnidaria
   rank: phylum
6. Echinodermata
   rank: phylum
7. Mollusca
   rank: phylum
8. Nematoda
   rank: phylum
9. Porifera
   rank: phylum
10. Funghi
    rank: kingdom
11. Ascomycota
    rank: phylum
12. Basidiomycota
    rank: phylum
13. Deuteromycotas
    rank: phylum
14. Plantae
    rank: kingdom
15. Anthocerotophyta
    rank: phylum
16. Bryophyta
    rank: phylum
17. Lycopodiophyta
    rank: phylum
18. Magnoliophyta
    rank: phylum
19. Marchantiophyta
    rank: phylum
20. Pinophyta
    rank: phylum
21. Pteridophyta
    rank: phylum

The Azorean Biodiversity Portal shares all the information available on the biodiversity of the Azores, one of the five Macaronesian archipelagos (Madeira, Salvage Islands, the Canary Islands and Cape Verde).