Introduction

Cave Biodiversity of Georgia database (CBG) is an  open access, comprehensive, dynamic and digitally-available reference, which is prepared  for several user-groups: Researchers, policy and decision-makers in the environmental politics, nature conservationists, students, and all people interested in caves and cave dwelling animals. It was developed and launched to serve as a basic tool for research and conservation policies of caves and cave inhabitant species in Georgia.

Content

CBG database was compiled based on gathering, critically evaluating and integrating all taxonomic and faunistic information for species recorded in the caves of Georgia.

The database was checked for possible gaps in data, errors or inconsistencies in the rules of zoological nomenclature, data redundancy, and inconsistencies among parts. The taxonomic reference system was harmonized with the Pan-European Species directories Infrastructure (PESI, EU-nomen).

For each species, the following information is provided: Latin name and authorship; higher taxonomy; a map displaying the cave(s) location(s) recorded; distribution; distribution in caves of Georgia; conservation status; protection status; links to IUCN, Georgian Biodiversity Database, Fauna Europea & GBIF; Literature references. Species synonyms are only exceptionally provided and the user can see them at the linked databases.

For each cave, the following information is provided: The Georgian name of the cave in Latin characters; a map displaying the location (If the precise coordinates are available); the cave name(s) used in literature; the closest settlement in the context of the administrative system established in Georgia; comments; the protection status; a referenced species list; literature references.

CBG data are continuously updated and are summarized at Statistics page.

Navigation options

The user can navigate the CBG database through 2 themes: fauna and caves.

A species can be found either by searching the name/synonym (or part of it) or by browsing through the taxonomic hierarchy to look for names of organisms within a group.

A cave can be found either by searching the name/synonym (or part of it) or by browsing through the administrative hierarchy.

The user can navigate from caves to species and vice versa through the names and the taxonomic and administrative hierarchy.

The users can download data for the specific taxonomic group and/or cave(s) by navigating through Tools menu. Here it is also available to generate a taxonomy hierarchical report from Phylum through Genus level.

Terms of use & Citation

Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution CC-BY License. The re-distribution of the entire CBG database or large parts of it is not permitted unless by prior written agreement. Data on species and caves are free to use on condition that they are cited. A recommended citation style is provided on each page.

The database as a whole is to be cited as follows:

Barjadze, Sh., Arabuli, T., Mumladze, L., Maghradze, E., Asanidze, Z., Shavadze, L., Gogshelidze M. 2019. Cave Biodiversity of Georgia - Open Access Database. Institute of Zoology at Ilia State University. Available at http://www.cbg.iliauni.edu.ge. Accessed: (date)

Feedback

Any feedback on the content and usability of the database would be highly appreciated. Suggestions for improvements of the database will be also very welcome. Please contact CBG coordinator and editor, Shalva Barjadze.

Acknowledgments

CBG Database, a unique and powerful tool for research and conservation of the cave fauna of Georgia, was prepared with the support of Ilia State University.

CBG Database is developed by the DH Lab. The following open-source tools were used: Bootstrap, Laravel, Leaflet, D3.js, OpenStreetMap contributors. The taxonomic reference system of CBG Database was harmonized with EU-nomen checklist, using the PESI Taxon Match Tool.

Contributors:

- Rati Gumashvili: Database design and development, website development

- Tazo Mindiashvili: Database development, website development

See full list of CBG research group, collaborators and contributors.