# GBIF MCP MCP > GBIF connects your AI agent directly to the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), the world’s largest open database for species records. Search 2.4 billion entries to find complete taxonomy, precise observation locations, and geographic distribution data for any known species on Earth. ## Overview - **Category:** the-unthinkable - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** biodiversity, taxonomy, species-data, open-data, geographic-distribution, research-api ## Description Need to know where a species has been seen? This MCP connects your AI agent to GBIF—the massive global repository of life data. Forget piecing together info from half-baked sources; here you get the full picture. You can search by common name (like 'lion') or scientific title and instantly pull up complete taxonomic hierarchies, showing everything from the Kingdom down to the exact species level. Better yet, if you know a species, you can locate every recorded spot it's been found—complete with GPS coordinates and dates. This means you stop guessing about habitats and start mapping them. It’s exactly the kind of specialized data pull that makes platforms like Vinkius indispensable, letting your agent access resources usually locked behind institutional subscriptions. ## Tools ### get_gbif_occurrences Find specific recorded locations where a species has been observed, with an optional filter by country code. ### get_gbif_species Retrieve full details and common names for a known species using its unique GBIF key. ### search_gbif_species Search the entire 2.4 billion record database by scientific or common name to find taxonomy and occurrence counts. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Tell me about the taxonomy and classification of the blue whale. ``` **Response:** ``` Balaenoptera musculus (Blue Whale): Kingdom Animalia → Phylum Chordata → Class Mammalia → Order Artiodactyla → Family Balaenopteridae → Genus Balaenoptera → Species B. musculus. Taxonomic status: Accepted. Common names: Blue Whale (en), Baleia-azul (pt), Ballena azul (es), Baleine bleue (fr). GBIF species key: 2440 — the largest animal ever known to have existed. ``` **Prompt:** ``` Where has the jaguar (Panthera onca) been observed in Brazil? ``` **Response:** ``` Found 10 occurrence records for Panthera onca in Brazil (ISO: BR). Observations span from the Amazon basin (Manaus region, -3.1°, -60.0°) to the Pantanal wetlands (Mato Grosso do Sul, -19.5°, -57.0°) and Atlantic Forest fragments (São Paulo state). Most recent record: 2023-08-15. Basis of record: Human Observation, Machine Observation (camera trap). ``` **Prompt:** ``` Search for all orchid species in the GBIF database. ``` **Response:** ``` Found 10 results for 'orchid'. The Orchidaceae family is one of the largest flowering plant families with 28,000+ species. Top results include: Phalaenopsis (moth orchids — most popular houseplant orchid), Dendrobium (1,800+ species across Asia), Vanilla planifolia (the source of vanilla flavoring), and Cattleya (classic corsage orchid). Each with full Linnaean taxonomy and GBIF links. ``` ## Capabilities ### Determine full species classification Get a complete taxonomic breakdown for any species by its scientific name or common name. ### Locate global observation records Find every recorded location where a specific species has been observed, filtered down to countries using ISO codes. ### Search across massive biodiversity datasets Query millions of records for any general criteria, like searching all 'orchid' species or specific plant families. ## Use Cases ### Mapping habitat loss for an endangered species A biologist needs to know if a rare orchid (e.g., 'orchid') still exists in the Southeast US. They use `search_gbif_species` first to confirm its taxonomy, then run `get_gbif_occurrences` with the ISO-2 code for the US to pinpoint current and historical locations. ### Verifying a species ID during field research An ecologist finds an animal and needs 100% confirmation. They use `get_gbif_species` with the unique GBIF key to pull up the accepted taxonomy, common names in multiple languages, and taxonomic status. ### Assessing impact for a regulatory filing A consultant must prove biodiversity levels near a proposed construction site. They query `get_gbif_occurrences` using the specific country code and a search term (e.g., 'jaguar') to gather hard, verifiable data points. ## Benefits - Pinpoint exact habitat ranges. Instead of just knowing a species exists, you can run `get_gbif_occurrences` to map every recorded GPS coordinate, making your conservation plan actionable. - Get crystal-clear taxonomy instantly. Use `search_gbif_species` to get the full Linnaean classification for any plant or animal, no matter how obscure its common name is. - Handle massive datasets without keys. You don't need a developer or an API key to access this info; just prompt your agent and let it run the query through the MCP. - Filter results by geography. When checking regional impacts, you can use `get_gbif_occurrences` and restrict your search to specific countries using ISO codes (like US or BR). - Speed up initial research. If you're just scoping out a topic—say, 'blue whale'—`search_gbif_species` gives you the general overview and taxonomy counts before you dive into specific locations. ## How It Works The bottom line is you get verifiable, globally sourced biological data without needing to manually build complex API requests. 1. Connect your AI client to the GBIF MCP. 2. Prompt your agent with a query—for example, 'Where has the jaguar been seen in Brazil?' 3. The tool pulls specific location and taxonomy data from the global database directly into your chat window. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I use get_gbif_occurrences to find locations?** You ask your agent for records and specify the species name or key. You can also narrow results down by country using an ISO 2-letter code (like US or BR) when running `get_gbif_occurrences`. **Does search_gbif_species give me location data?** No, that tool gives you the taxonomy and counts—the 'what' of the species. If you need actual locations, you must use `get_gbif_occurrences`. **What is the difference between get_gbif_species and search_gbif_species?** `search_gbif_species` runs a broad query across the entire database by name. `get_gbif_species` requires you to provide a specific key for pinpoint, comprehensive data on one type. **Can I use this MCP with my existing workflow?** Yes. Once connected via Vinkius, your agent can call these tools naturally within any compatible client like Cursor or Claude, integrating the data into your current project flow. **How do I connect my agent to use search_gbif_species without needing an API key?** You don't need a separate API key. Just subscribe to this MCP via Vinkius, and your AI client handles the connection for you. This lets you start querying the 2.4 billion records immediately. **Does get_gbif_species provide common names in multiple languages?** Yes, it includes vernacular names for a species. The tool returns common names and their respective language codes, helping you understand the animal or plant across different cultures. **What is the total scope of records available when I run search_gbif_species?** The MCP accesses data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), which covers over 2.4 billion biodiversity records globally. This means you can search for any species identified by major institutions worldwide. **What happens if I use an incorrect country code with get_gbif_occurrences?** The tool requires a valid ISO 2-letter country code (like US, BR, AU, or GB). If you provide an invalid code, the query will fail and prompt you to correct the geographical filter. **What types of organisms are covered in GBIF?** GBIF covers all life on Earth across all kingdoms: Animalia (animals), Plantae (plants), Fungi (mushrooms, yeasts), Bacteria, Archaea, Chromista (algae, diatoms), and Protozoa. From microscopic bacteria to blue whales, from orchids to ancient ferns — if a species has been scientifically described, GBIF likely has records for it. **Is GBIF data free and do I need to register?** Yes, GBIF data is completely free and open under CC0, CC-BY, or CC-BY-NC licenses. No registration or API key is required for programmatic access. GBIF is funded by governments of 40+ member countries and endorsed by the United Nations Environment Programme. **Can I filter species observations by country or region?** Yes! The occurrence search supports country filtering using ISO-2 country codes (US for United States, BR for Brazil, AU for Australia, GB for United Kingdom, JP for Japan, etc.). This allows you to find exactly where a species has been observed in a specific country with GPS coordinates and dates.