Improved Data Accessibility: The CL System of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation Integrates New API Interface

The CL system of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) already serves as an essential tool for the collection and management of plant and animal data in Germany. The integration of a REST API interface as part of the NFDI4Biodiversity project will now promote more efficient data exchange: The technological advancement enables direct as well as uncomplicated access to the collected data and improves interoperability with other research services. This expansion opens up new opportunities for the scientific community to research and protect biodiversity in Germany in greater detail.

What it's about: The established system for species lists by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation

The CL System is an electronic system developed by the BfN since 2019. It serves a specific purpose: to create lists of plants and animals documented in Germany. These lists serve as an inventory of biodiversity, allowing us to understand precisely which plants and animals are nationally represented and in what frequency.

The CL System has several goals:

1. Comprehensive species overview: The CL System aims to provide a comprehensive overview of all species in Germany. This is crucial for a better understanding and protection of natural diversity.
2. Updated information: The system is continuously updated to ensure that information about species is as accurate as possible, allowing researchers to access current and reliable data.
3. Basis for research and conservation measures: The created species lists serve as a foundation for scientific research and conservation efforts. They are a valuable resource for anyone involved in biodiversity.

Integration with the REST API interface: A key to efficiency in data exchange

As part of the NFDI4Biodiversity project, an exciting development has been implemented for the CL System. It has been decided to integrate a REST API interface.

Anton Güntsch, contact person in NFDI4Biodiversity for usage scenarios of the new interface, explains the decision: "The integration of the REST API interface significantly enhances the efficiency of the CL System. This interface makes data exchange between different research services smoother, thereby sustainably improving collaboration in biodiversity research."

The abbreviation "REST" stands for "Representational State Transfer," and a REST API (Application Programming Interface) is a tool to facilitate data exchange between different applications and systems. This interface now allows other systems to access the data of the CL System directly without complicated logins.

Anton Güntsch adds: "The integration of the REST API interface makes the CL System even more accessible. This opens up new opportunities for the scientific community to better explore, understand, and protect biodiversity in Germany."

The integration of the REST API interface in the CL System of the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation thus marks a significant step towards improved data availability and collaboration in biodiversity research. In the future, we aim to achieve continuous progress together with the scientific community.