Global natural history initiative builds groundbreaking database

A new study published in Science shares a groundbreaking database aimed at addressing 21st century challenges. The Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ) is among the 73 participating natural history museums and herbarias from 28 countries. Professors James Hanken and Gonzalo Giribet gathered the MCZ data that, combined with other participating collections, creates a new, global approach to museum research collections.

This is the first step of an ambitious effort to inventory global holdings that can help scientists and decision makers find solutions to urgent, wide-ranging issues such as climate change, food insecurity, human health, pandemic preparedness, and wildlife conservation.