NatureServe Explorer
An online guide to the species and ecosystems of the Americas.
Overview
NatureServe Explorer is a free, online database providing access to conservation status, taxonomy, and distribution information for over 100,000 species and ecosystems. Land trusts use this data for due diligence on properties, conservation planning, and to understand the ecological significance of their lands. The enhanced 'Pro' version offers more precise location data.
✨ Key Features
- Searchable database of species and ecosystems
- Detailed profiles with conservation status (global, national, subnational)
- Distribution maps
- Taxonomic information
- Access to more precise location data (Explorer Pro)
- Ability to generate reports for an area of interest (InSite)
🎯 Key Differentiators
- Focus on North American species and ecosystems.
- Provides sub-national conservation status ranks.
- Maintained by a network of natural heritage programs and scientists.
- Offers licensed access to precise location data.
Unique Value: Provides free and licensed access to the most comprehensive and authoritative data on at-risk species in North America, enabling science-based conservation decisions.
🎯 Use Cases (5)
✅ Best For
- Authoritative source for conservation status of U.S. and Canadian species.
💡 Check With Vendor
Verify these considerations match your specific requirements:
- Field data collection.
- Managing internal property records or projects.
🏆 Alternatives
More detailed and location-specific for North America than global databases like the IUCN Red List. Aggregates data from state-level programs into a single source.
💻 Platforms
🛟 Support Options
- ✓ Email Support
- ✓ Dedicated Support (Licensed Access tier)
💰 Pricing
Free tier: NatureServe Explorer is free for public use.
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