Accelerating the Pace of Scientific Discovery.

The Biodiversity Synthesis Group is part of the Encyclopedia of Life (EOL), an international project to develop a webpage for every known species on Earth, freely accessible to all. Based at the Biodiversity Synthesis Center (BioSynC) at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, we are dedicated to advancing biodiversity science and the core EOL mission through our diverse meetings, workshops, research programs, and outreach.

In Focus

WhyReef is a collaboration with Field Museum Education to bring coral reefs and active scientific research by BioSynC staff to kids. WhyReef explores the diversity of species in Pacific reefs, examines the connections between reef species, and investigates how environmental catastrophes can alter diversity and damage reefs. WhyReef is one of several educational programs that BioSynC is piloting to explore how scientists can use digital media to engage and inspire younger generations in science.

reef.whyville.net

What's New

23 Oct 09
On October 22-24, the Biodiversity Synthesis Center hosted an EOL workshop in conjunction with EOL partner Animal Diversity Web. The workshop goals were to broaden the reach and increase the effectiveness of university students authoring species accounts...
8 Oct 09
From October 5-8th BioSynC hosted a working group meeting whose ultimate goal was to develop objective criteria to assess species’ relative vulnerability to global climate change. The meeting featured 11 participants from the U.S. and Germany and drew...
12 Sep 09
The Biodiversity Synthesis Center and the Education Department launched the WhyReef Kids Advisory Council on September 12. The Kids Advisory Council is a committee for young people aged 10–14 to explore how virtual and real worlds connect, and will run...

Upcoming Meetings

03/18/2010 - 03/21/2010
Chicago, IL, USA
06/07/2010 - 06/18/2010
Bocas del Toro, Panama