Searching data
You can search three types of data:
Only biological and paleontological specimen data is available. A dedicated national data node for geological specimens is planned for the coming years.
Displaying data
You can explore the data in different ways:
| Display mode | Definition |
|---|---|
| Map view | Find specimens by location. Click a dot to see a quick preview, and open it to view all the details. |
| Table view | See a list of specimens, with each column showing different details about them. |
| Gallery view | Browse pictures of specimens. |
| Datasets | Show collection datasets. |
| Dashboard | Summarise data into lists or charts based on the field of your choice. This mode is available only for specimen records. |
Filtering data
You can apply filters to narrow your search. A core set of filters is displayed by default. Clicking the More button reveals additional options.
| Type of data | Default filters |
|---|---|
| Specimens | Scientific name ; Type status ; Administrative area ; State province ; Publisher ; Elevation ; Year ; Basis of Record ; Issues and flags |
| Collections | Code ; Number of specimens ; Specimens in GBIF ; Scientific name ; Country or area of coverage |
| Institutions | Code ; Number of specimens ; Specimens in GBIF |
Downloading data
On the specimens page, the last tab at the top is Download. Clicking on it redirects you to the GBIF.org download page. Note that any filters applied on the SwissNatColl data page are automatically transferred, so you can easily download only the data you’re interested in.
Original vs. Published Data
The data published on this portal has undergone various encodings, enrichments and validation processes. In most cases, the information has not changed significantly. However, for threatened and sensitive species, the accuracy of certain data has been deliberately reduced—for example, by generalizing coordinates to a grid-cell level or by publishing at a higher taxonomic rank—to ensure protection before release.