Online Library of Existing Databases on the Movements, Habitats, and Presence and Absence of Migratory Species

Name Link Type Short description
Movebank https://www.movebank.org/cms/movebank-main Database Movebank is a free online database of primarily animal tracking data created to help researchers manage, share, analyze and archive data describing individual animal movements. Additionally, also other data collected by sensors on animals can be accessed and utilized. Researchers can use Movebank regardless of species, study area or source of funding. The tracking data themselves are owned by the researchers who collected them. Furthermore, the website offers a concrete manual as well as a citation guide to ease the usability for external users.
Euring https://euring.org/ Database The EURING databank (EDB) stores a large proportion of bird ringing data that has been gathered from all across Europe. To ensure compatibility the data is computerized through a uniform standard protocol. In order to access the data one has to fill out an application form. Moreover, the website offers various guides on the different types of data and on how to access them.
IBAT https://www.ibat-alliance.org/?locale=en Database The Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) is a biodiversity data provider licensing commercial access to global biodiversity datasets and derived data layers. Specifically it relies on three different data sets: the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the World Database on Protected Areas and the World Database on Key Biodiversity Areas.
GBIF https://www.gbif.org/ Database, Guidelines The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) is an international network and data infrastructure which provides open access data about all types of life on Earth. Additionally, GBIF offers information about common standards, best practices and open-source tools enabling users to share information about where and when species have been recorded.
Smithsonian - Movement of Life https://movementoflife.si.edu/ Learning Resource To make animal tracking tools accessible to conservationists globally, the Smithsonian National Zoo launched a website featuring a variety of open-access resources. These include a software tool and a graphic package, both freely downloadable for use in the statistical program R. Additionally, the site highlights various ongoing projects, providing valuable reference points for researchers and practitioners.
Map of Life https://bgc.yale.edu/map-of-life Database The Map of Life is a project by Yale's Center for Biodiversity and Climate Change, designed to support global biodiversity education, monitoring, research, and decision-making. It does so by compiling and integrating extensive knowledge on species distributions and their changes over time. Users can freely access the database and filter the map using various indicators, such as standardized species distributions.
Audubon's Bird Migration Atlas https://explorer.audubon.org/home Database The Bird Migration Explorer is a tool capturing the migration routes of different birds through a series of interactive maps built using the latest and best-available migration and conservation science. Visitors can explore the full annual cycle for 458 species of migratory birds that regularly breed in the United States and Canada and use areas in Latin America and the Caribbean during other times of the year.
The Eurasian African Bird Migration Atlas https://migrationatlas.org/ Database, Learning Resource The Migration Atlas combines the data of Movebank and Euring to map the movement of over 300 bird species. Thus, the Atlas brings together conventional ringing data - offering information from a large array of species, huge numbers of marked individuals, broad geographical scope, information on recovery causes, and long historical coverage - with detailed information on migratory movements from tracking data, which is sampled from a smaller number of species and individuals and less extensive geographic scope. Additionally, the Atlas also offers detailed information on individual species and in depth analysis of specific research areas such as the taking of birds.
Conservation Corridor https://conservationcorridor.org/ccsg/resources/ Learning Resource, Guidelines The website of the Conservation Corridor acts as a hub for providing scientific, policy, and technical advice that mainstreams connectivity conservation. Thus, they collect and disseminate information across diverse stakeholders and provide a number of different resources such as guidelines and publications all regarding ecological connectivity.
Conservation Corridor https://conservationcorridor.org/ccsg/working-groups/twg/twg-resources/ Learning Resource, Guidelines Additionally, the Conservation Corridor has a dedicated working group on mobility and infrastructure that provides valuable informational resources and recommendations to promote ecologically sustainable linear transportation infrastructure globally.
Center for Large Landscape Conservation https://largelandscapes.org/resources/ Learning Resource, Guidelines The website of the Center for Large Landscape Conservation hosts a section dedicated to providing various resources such as publications, case studies, and guidelines for policy makers and scientists to assist them in making progress towards furthering ecological connectivity.
Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/collective-behaviour/research/tools/ Learning Resource The website of the Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (CASCB) offers a wide variety of online tools useful to gather and visualize data for example animal tracking data. All of the tools are open access and can be utilized without registration. Furthermore, CASCB provides a list of recent publications useful to gain a better understanding of the collective behaviour of animals.
MoveApps https://www.moveapps.org/ Learning Resource MoveApps is a serverless no-code analysis platform for animal tracking data. The goal of MoveApps is to bring together movement ecologists and wildlife managers looking for flexible analysis tools with those who are developing tools and want to share them with others. Users can combine multiple Apps to create Workflows that analyze tracking data according to their needs. The Apps are created by a growing community of developers in R, R-Shiny, Python.
Migratory Connectivity Project http://migratoryconnectivityproject.org/ Learning Resource The Migratory Connectivity Project is a platform operated by the Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center which offers a variety of different learning resources. One prominent example is the Atlas of Migratory Connectivity, which is currently in development and will fill an enormous knowledge gap about the migratory connectivity for the birds of North America.
Shorebird Science and Conservation Collective https://nationalzoo.si.edu/migratory-birds/shorebird-collective Database The Shorebird Science and Conservation Collective brings together the knowledge of agencies, universities, nonprofits, and community scientists to advance shorebird conservation in the Western Hemisphere. Specifically, they offer access to an in-depth dataset, which covers +35 species. To access the tracking data, a request has to be filed.
Migratory Bird Initiative https://www.audubon.org/our-work/science/bird-migration-initiative Database The Initiative brings together the latest spatial information on species distributions and movements across their annual cycles to identify priority areas for 458 species of migratory birds that regularly occur in the United States and Canada. To participate in the initiative, one has to fill out a Data Sharing Agreement.
Motus Wildlife Tracking System https://motus.org/ Database, Learning Resource Motus is a collaborative research network which uses cooperative automated radio telemetry to track small flying organisms (birds, bats, and insects). The system enables a community of researchers, educators, organizations, and citizens to undertake impactful, cost-effective, research and education on the ecology and conservation of migratory animals. Currently, there are Motus stations in 34 countries.
Central Asian Mammals Migration and Linear Infrastructure Atlas https://www.cms.int/cami/en/document/central-asian-mammals-migration-an… Learning Resource The Atlas contains information about the species' distribution range of the Asiatic Cheetah, Snow Leopard, antelopes, deer, gazelles, wild horses and yaks. It combines this with maps of different types of linear infrastructure (including railways, fences and pipelines), highlighting where problems for connectivity may be expected. Trough this, the Atlas is intended to help inform the planning and implementation of future wildlife-friendly infrastructure developments, and to support adaptation of existing ones to mitigate their barrier effects.
Global Initiative on Ungulate Migration (GIUM) https://www.cms.int/en/gium/migration-atlas Database Driven by tracking data on ungulate migrations, the Atlas of Ungulate Migration serves as a repository for up-to-date migration maps that can inform conservation planning, infrastructure development and policy making. The maps detail high, medium and low-use migration corridors for a diversity of species, ranging from the iconic Serengeti wildebeest and African elephant, to the saiga of the Central Asian steppe. Most importantly, the maps illustrate where critical migration routes intersect with linear barriers like roads or railways.
Migratory Connectivity in the Ocean (MiCO) https://mico.eco/ Database MiCO’s focus is to deliver free and easily accessible (online open access), actionable geospatial knowledge of migratory marine animal movements (distribution and connectivity, using network models that describe how various parts of a species migratory cycle are connected). The system is notable for working with aggregated knowledge rather than just data, and although it relates specifically to the marine environment, there is interest in seeing how its general approach might be applied in the terrestrial context too.
Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) https://obis.org/ Database The OBIS of of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission integrates millions of marine species occurrence records from thousands of data sets to make them available as a single data set. The observed species range from Bacteria to Whales and are integrated in a map which can be seamlessly searched by species name, higher taxonomic level, geographic area, depth, time and environmental parameters.
Critical Site Network https://criticalsites.wetlands.org/en Learning Resource The tool makes it easy to obtain information on the sites critical for waterbird species by accessing several independent databases and analyzing information at the biogeographical population level, so providing a comprehensive basis for management and decision making. It is designed to help a range of different users from site managers to national authorities and international organizations.
International Waterbird Census https://www.wetlands.org/knowledge-base/international-waterbird-census/ Database The International Waterbird Census is a monitoring programme which offers information about the presence, numbers and trends of various waterbird populations. Furthermore they monitor the health and quality of wetland sites, thus providing the international context for managing species at a national or local level.
Seabird Tracking Database https://www.seabirdtracking.org/ Database The BirdLife International Seabird Tracking Database is the largest collection of seabird tracking data in existence. It serves as a central store for seabird tracking data from around the world and aims to help further seabird conservation work and support the tracking community. Originally called Tracking Ocean Wanderers, this database brings together data from a range of seabird species and families, has been made possible entirely though the unique collaboration of seabird scientists from around the world.
International Shorebird Survey https://www.manomet.org/project/international-shorebird-survey/ Database The International Shorebird Survey (ISS) is a volunteer-based programme which gathers information on shorebirds and the wetlands they depend on. Specifically field surveys are conducted during spring and fall migrations, thus providing hemispheric data on the observed shorebirds.
Important Shorebird Sites https://whsrn.org/about-shorebirds/important-sites-map/ Database The interactive map offers information about shorebird sites in the western hemisphere. Specifically, it allows to sort the sites by species, flyway, and criteria. The shorebird data used to create this interactive map are from a variety of sources, including published literature, eBird, census data from monitoring programs, and IBA factsheets.
Migratory Shorebird Project https://migratoryshorebirdproject.org/ Database, Learning Resource The Migratory Shorebird Project is the largest coordinated survey ever of wintering shorebirds on the Pacific Coast of the Americas. The overall goal is to conserve shorebirds and wetlands from Alaska to Chile by connecting communities, standardizing data, and applying science across the Americas. The website offers not only access to large data sets but also a variety of learning resources such as workshop materials.
Raptors MOU: List of important sites https://www.cms.int/sites/default/files/document/Raptors_MO S3_report_Annex%207%20List%20of%20sites_EN.pdf Database The Signatories of the Raptors MOU have amended their list of sites to include over 7500 sites recognized as internationally important for migratory raptors across the geographic scope of the MOU. These sites represent the largest network of sites for migratory raptors ever identified and the MOU provides the legal framework for their conservation. For each site, the list of qualifying species is provided and Signatories are committed to keeping the data updated.
Important Marine Mammal Areas Database https://www.marinemammalhabitat.org/immas/immas-searchable-database/ Database The searchable database contains detailed information, such as the jurisdiction zone, the occurring species, and the regions, about all currently identified IMMAs. Additionally, the website offers access to the IMMA e-Atlas which is an online tool visualizing the IMMAs as well as areas of interest.
World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas https://www.keybiodiversityareas.org/ Database The World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) keeps a map of all important sites for biodiversity. Specifically, the KBA Programme further supports the identification, mapping, monitoring and conservation of KBAs to help safeguard the most critical sites for nature on our planet.
WWF Blue Corridors for Whales https://wwfwhales.org/resources/protecting-blue-corridors-report Learning Resource The collaborative report from WWF and its partners provides a comprehensive overview over whale migrations and the threats they face across the oceans. The report also includes visualized information about whale migration which was gathered by tracking 1000 migratory whales worldwide.
Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRAs) https://sharkrayareas.org/e-atlas/ Database ISRAs are defined as “discrete, three-dimensional portions of habitat, important for one or more shark species, that are delineated and have the potential to be managed for conservation”. In an effort to further the conservation of sharks, an international team of scientists, conservationists and policymakers has created an online atlas mapping the areas and offering to download the used data layers.
Global Swimways: Map http://www.explorer.globalswimways.org/ Database A Global Swimways partnership project led by IUCN through the Cambridge Conservation Initiative from 2019-2021 identified potential swimways according to the presence of migratory freshwater fish and the migrations they undertake. The result of the project is an online interactive map with multiple layers which offers crucial information about existing infrastructure threatening the migratory routes of freshwater fish.
Global Swimways: Manuscript https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/fee.2550 Guidelines The manuscript of the Global Swimways program provides concrete steps on how to implement the project and offers guidance on future directions.
Trans-European Swimways Network https://europe.wetlands.org/wetlands-international-europe-launches-swim… Learning Resource The Trans-European Swimways network will bring together stakeholders such as NGOs, researchers, angler associations and management authorities to collaboratively work on the topic of migratory freshwater fish. It will encourage transboundary cooperation, information exchange, joint projects to improve available information and advocate for stronger legislation.
Atlantic Bats: a Data Set of Bat Communities from the Atlantic Forests of South America https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ecy.2007 Learning Resource For this study the authors have compiled valuable information on bat communities in the Atlantic Forests of South America which includes information about the threats they face and their migration. In total the dataset includes information on more than 90,000 captures of 98 bat species of eight families.
Seaturtle: Tracking Tool http://seaturtle.org/stat/ Learning Resource On the website of searturtle.org one can find valuable information about the conservation of sea turtles. Furthermore, they provide access to a Satellite Tracking and Analysis Tool (STAT) and a ‘Maptool’ which can be used to gain valuable insights in order to implement effective conservation measures.
TurtleNet https://apps.information.qld.gov.au/TurtleDistribution/ Database In cooperation with the Department of Environment and Science in Queensland, Australia, CMS has launched an interactive atlas which shows nesting, courtship, feeding, and migration routes of marine turtles. The atlas contains multiple data layers and enables the user for example to filter for turtle species.
European Barrier Atlas https://amber.international/european-barrier-atlas/ Database The European Barrier Atlas is a pan-European atlas of instream river barriers, documenting 630,000 unique barrier records from existing data sets, and modelling a further 400,000+ additional barrier points. The project is accompanied by tools developed to help resource managers quantify stream fragmentation, assess barrier impacts and benefits, and make informed decisions on existing and future barriers.
World Atlas of Artificial Night Sky https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.1600377 Database The atlas used data which was computed with a light pollution propagation software using new high-resolution satellite data and new precision sky brightness measurements. In it one can find comparisons between countries as well as general information on light pollution during the night sky.
Global Atlas of Artificial Light at Night under the Sea https://online.ucpress.edu/elementa/article/9/1/00049/119144/A-global-a… Database The impacts of artificial light at night (ALAN) on marine ecosystems have emerged as a focus for ecological light pollution research in recent years, yet the global prevalence of ALAN in underwater marine ecosystems is unknown. In order to address this, a team of scientists created this atlas which provides information on the levels of light pollution under the sea.
World Database on Ecological Corridors https://www.protectedplanet.net/en Learning Resources, Database Protected Planet is the authoritative source of data on protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). It draws on extensive efforts of governments and other stakeholders to map, monitor and report data on protected areas and OECMs. Through the Protected Planet website, users can explore the World Database on Protected Areas (WDPA), World Database on OECMs, Global Database on Protected Area Management Effectiveness (GD-PAME), and a wealth of associated information.
Linkage Mapper https://consbio.org/software/linkage-mapper/ Learning Resources Linkage Mapper is a GIS toolbox designed to support regional wildlife habitat connectivity analyses. It consists of several Python scripts, packaged as an ArcGIS toolbox, that automate mapping of wildlife habitat corridors. The toolbox is comprised of six tools, described below.
CMS: Energy Task Force https://www.cms.int/en/taskforce/energy-task-force Guidelines, Database, Learning Resources The CMS Energy Task Force is a multi-stakeholder platform that works towards reconciling renewable energy developments with the conservation of migratory species. The page of the Energy Task Force on the CMS website provides access to various tools and resources addressing the topic such as guidelines and case studies. Additionally, the resolutions and documents of the task force offer valuable information which can be used to as input when planning migratory-friendly energy infrastructure.
The Global Shark Movement Project https://www.globalsharkmovement.org/ Database The Global Shark Movement Project (GSMP) is a scientific research project bringing together 40 shark research teams spread across more than 100 institutes in 26 countries. Its aim is to advance scientific knowledge of shark behavior, ecology, conservation and fisheries science that can be used to inform improved management of threatened sharks and ocean biodiversity. Its unique database of shark tracking and environmental data enables new science discoveries that inform policy relating to shark conservation and the sustainable management of shark populations. The GSMP Database holds over 2,000 individual satellite tracks of large pelagic sharks from 23 species spanning over 280,000 track days. GSMP was founded in 2016 and is coordinated from the Marine Biological Association Laboratory in Plymouth,UK.
Ocearch Tracker https://www.ocearch.org/tracker/ Database Ocearch provides comprehensive data on the movements and migrations of white sharks through their tracking programme. They tag white sharks and collect data on their locations over time, revealing patterns such as annual migrations between northern and southern parts of their range. This data helps identify critical habitats for feeding, growing, and reproduction, which is essential for developing effective conservation strategies.