How to use the app

• How do I record observations?
• How do I explore a summary of my records, and how do I map, review, and share them?
  To review your records, log into the mol.org Dashboard using the same username and password as in the app.
• My species is not in the list for my search location. What do I do?
  First, it is worth taking a closer look - the species may be listed with a different common name or be lumped (as subspecies) with a closely related species. If you are sure that a reliably identified species is not covered by the list, use the ‘feedback’ option to report this (it may be an issue with the Map of Life database or a rare out-of-range sighting - both are important to report).
• You use a different name for a species than I am used to.
  Sometimes expert sources disagree about what is considered a subspecies or species, and what to call it. Map of Life aims to follow latest expert decisions, but names may not always be up to date or agree with the source you are using. If you feel a species treatment or common name is plain wrong, please let us know via the feedback option.
• The app lists species that are not seen in this season.
  Bear with us as we add lists and range maps accounting for seasonal occurrence to the app in the future.
• The list provided by the app includes species that definitely do not occur right where I searched
  The list provided represents the species that may be seen within a 50km radius of your search location. So it likely includes a good number of species not seen at your exact location. Map of Life will help to make the list more and more accurate and refined as more data are collected. If you would like to help this work and report that despite careful search on your part, a species was not found in a given location, use the “Not found” record submission option.
• I would like to use the app away from a cellular network
  Bear with us. We will be adding some options supporting species list views and record contributions without data connection in the next updates.
• I would like to link my Map of Life record contributions to my favorite other app or web project.
  We are planning to develop such links to share records across projects in the near future. Feel free to let us know of any specific projects or ideas by emailing info@mol.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What happens to my records? Do data contributions immediately contribute to biodiversity research?

  With data submissions through the mobile app growing rapidly since our recent launch (see here) we want to share with you our vision for the use of these records.

  Your online data dashboard. Hopefully, you have had a chance to check out your personal online dashboard, where you can interact with the records you have submitted (see here for a short tutorial) and watch your life list grow. More functionality is coming to this page soon - including new ways to edit, sort, structure, summarize, map and share your records, and also see how your observations are helping to fill important data gaps.

  Multiple purposes of contributed data. The overarching goal of Map of Life is to advance global biodiversity information and make it widely available for research, and citizen science networks. Complementing other data sources and types in Map of Life, your records will help inform research and conservation, as well as contribute to education and community initiatives.

  Data sharing. Researchers and citizen science networks will be able to access Map of Life information to collaborate, grow the platform, and educate people about life around them and highlight the importance of biodiversity conservation. Some app users may want to limit the availability of their data, for example for sensitive species. We are currently working on different ways of how observations recorded through the app are surfaced or shared, including options to share records with a delay or in simplified form.

  Data quality. We would like for your records to contribute to science and conservation in the most meaningful way. Such uses benefit greatly from quality assessment, as even the best naturalists accidentally mis-identify species. The vast store of different data types and sources in Map of Life, including upcoming statistical assessment of outliers, enhances our ability to vet records. We are also exploring various collaborative curation tools and may contact you via email to confirm particularly interesting observations. Check back with us as we implement these options and begin to add “research-ready” observations to the general Map of Life portal.

  Thank you for your continuing interest in Map of Life. If you have any specific requests, please feel free to contact us.

• I already have an app for my region and the sets of species I am interested in. Why should I use Map of Life?
  If you have an app that works well for you - keep using it! But ensure your hard work contributes fully to biodiversity monitoring and assessment. Consider exploring the Map of Life app for additional species and updates as more text and images get added. And as Map of Life is meant to help improve species distributions globally, using it to submit your records ensures they count.
• I have contributed a species record, but it does not show up on the species map page?
  Bear with us as we finalize how app contributions are displayed in the main mapping page.
• What is the “Not found” option on the record contribution page?
  With this option we allow experts who have surveyed a particular area to report that despite search they did not see a particular species. Such a "non-detection" record can be immensely helpful for better, more precise and accurate, documentation of species distributions.
• I realized I mis-identified an earlier record contribution. What should I do?
  You can delete records in your app and, soon, also in your account at mol.org.
• My species lacks images - but I know there are good images for it out there.
  We are constantly improving the app content, and this includes adding more images for more and more species.
• I would like to contribute an image or drawing to enhance the species page in Map of Life.
  This would be a great way to help others identify and connect with more of biodiversity. Email us at info@mol.org for instructions.
• I would like to attach a photo to my record submission.
  Hang in there - this functionality will come soon.
• I would like to contribute my survey records in a more seamless fashion
  Bear with us. We will add functionality for quicker record submission and linking of contributions to a single survey (and associated protocols) soon.
• I would like to help with adding field-guide notes or keys for species groups in certain regions.
  How wonderful. Map of Life helps you by narrowing potential species in your area to a manageable number. Even just a few additional identification hints would be extremely effective and lead to more species identified and recorded for conservation. We are in the process of setting up identification support for several taxa and regions, in order to develop collaborative networks to make this happen globally.Email us at info@mol.org to get involved.
• I am an expert for a species group in region. Could I get involved to help curate content and record submission?
  Email us at info@mol.org. We are in the process of setting up curatorial networks and would be delighted to have you involved.
• I have a larger set of records that I would like to contribute.
  Check back at mol.org. Soon the upload of multiple records will be available as an option. You will be able to explore your records in relation to other content in Map of Life, do simple spatial analyses and queries, and select display and sharing permission. Your contributions will ultimately receive a unique identifier, be citeable, and with your permission will be fully shared with other biodiversity platforms.
• I am part of a larger citizen science network collecting species records. Could we collaborate with Map of Life or get the app tweaked to help our interests?
  We'd love it! One of the key goals of Map of Life is supporting groups to more effectively engage their community or collect data. We can help add species groups, data collection protocols, or indeed customize the app more extensively to support your group, including your logos and own administration of your network. Dynamic reporting from the app and Map of Life could also go into your project website. Get in touch with a description of your interest at info@mol.org.