Encyclopaedia of Life covers all species

Leading scientists and scientific institutions from around the world have announced the launch of the 'Encyclopedia of Life', an international initiative which plans to document all 1.8 million named species of animal, plant and other forms of life on Earth. The initiative brings together species and software experts, who will collate detailed information on all known species, which will be made freely available online to scientists, students and the general public. In addition to written information, photographs, video, sound, maps and other multi-media information is likely to be included in the encyclopaedia.

'The Encyclopedia of Life will provide valuable biodiversity and conservation information to anyone, anywhere, at any time,' said Dr James Edwards, who has been named Executive Director of the project. 'The Encyclopedia of Life will ultimately make high-quality, well-organised information available on an unprecedented level. Even five years ago, we could not create such a resource, but advances in technology for searching, annotating and visualising information now permit us, indeed mandate us, to build the Encyclopedia of Life.'