ARKive is a new global initiative to create a digital archive of the world's fast disappearing biodiversity for future generations to appreciate through the world wide web.
To find out how you can help, read about ARKive below:
ARKive is being created by The Wildscreen Trust, based in Bristol, UK. ARKive will be a digital library of films and photographs, preserved for all time through the medium of the world wide web, of the species and habitats in our natural world.
Current extinction rates mean that future generations may only be able to see and hear many species through videos, photographs and sound recordings. There are no safeguards for the preservation of these natural history images and recordings, currently scattered in a variety of commercial and specialist libraries and private collections.
ARKive will contain species holdings: a representative selection of moving images, photographs and sounds for each species (a kind of audio-visual "time-capsule" or Doomsday Book), with priority given to the world's endangered species of which there are about 6,000 animals and 33,000 plants.
The first stage is to create the UK chapter featuring endangered species in the UK, of which there are approximately 1,200. This will then serve as the model for further chapters to be developed in other parts of the world.
Support for ARKive has already been pledged on an international scale from film corporations like the BBC, National Geographic, specialist photographic agencies, many of the world's leading biologists & conservation organisations including WWF and UNEP-WCMC. Hewlett Packard are supporting the technological development of ARKive, whilst the UK Heritage Lottery Fund and the UK New opportunities Fund have pledged funds for the UK compilation.
At the same time it is envisaged that other organisations around the world will develop their own collections - thereby laying the foundations of a global resource The Smithsonian Institution, and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute in the USA, WWF Brussels and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation have already expressed intention. All the collections will be connected via the internet, thereby creating a comprehensive catalogue of the world's species and permanent record of our fast disappearing natural heritage.
How surfbirders can help:
Photographers may be able to help with resource material whilst others may be able to help in supporting the extension of ARKive across the globe.
For more information, including endangered species listings, contact: Harriet Nimmo, The Wildscreen Trust, PO Box 366, Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol, UK BS99 2HD, Tel: +44 (0) 117 915 7103 Fax:+44 (0) 117 909 5000 or through e-mail harriet.nimmo@wildscreen.org.uk