Natural history museums around the world hold billions of preserved specimens that document where plants, animals, and other organisms have lived over time. Many of those records now exist in digital form, yet they often lack the precise geographic coordinates needed to place each specimen on a map. A fresh citizen-science effort on the Zooniverse platform is asking volunteers to supply the missing locations by interpreting written descriptions on specimen labels. ([1])
The Scale of the Gap
Specimen collections represent one of the richest archives of life on Earth, spanning centuries of exploration and discovery. When researchers digitize these holdings, they frequently capture only the textual notes that collectors once scribbled on labels. Those notes can be vague, outdated, or difficult to interpret without reference to historical maps or local geography. The result is a vast but incomplete dataset that limits studies of species ranges, climate impacts, and conservation priorities.
A New Tool for Volunteers
The project introduces GeoDrawing, a mapping task created specifically for this effort and now available to the public for the first time. Participants examine specimen labels, interpret the locality descriptions, and draw the corresponding areas on interactive maps. The approach moves beyond simple point placement to capture the uncertainty or extent described in older records. Contributions feed directly into improved geographic data that scientists can use worldwide.
Why Precise Locations Matter
Accurate coordinates allow researchers to track how species distributions have shifted over decades or centuries. They support analyses of environmental change, habitat loss, and the effectiveness of protected areas. Without them, large portions of museum collections remain underutilized for modern biodiversity research. Volunteer work therefore expands the scientific value of collections that already exist but have never been fully positioned in space.
Training and Next Steps
A four-day online training session on georeferencing runs from October 8 to 11 and covers core concepts, standards, and practical exercises. Anyone interested can register through the dedicated site. The main Zooniverse project remains open for immediate participation, giving volunteers a direct way to help complete the map of global biodiversity.
