summary.adocs

# Glossary

*Biodiversity information facility*
Variously described as a ‘BIF’, a system or a network, the broader structure of people and institutions, coordinated by the node, that collectively forms an infrastructure for delivering biodiversity information to relevant stakeholders. 

*Participant*
A country, economy or organization that joins GBIF by signing a Memorandum of Understanding and establishing a co-ordinated effort to support open access and use of biodiversity data, to advance scientific research, and to promote technological and sustainable development. 

*Participant node*
A coordinating team designated by the Participant to coordinate a network of people and institutions that produce, manage and use biodiversity data, collectively building an infrastructure for delivering biodiversity information.

*Species occurrence*
A record of a named organism observed or collected at a given time or place.