Georeferencing is the process of converting text descriptions of locations to computer-readable geographic locations, such as a GIS system uses. Although this can be done by hand with maps and some guesswork, the BioGeomancer project provides the tools to improve the results for organizations with lots of data to georeference by automating the georeferencing of bulk data, learning from existing georeferences, accessing map and placename gazetteers, generating the computer-readable geographic locations and error descriptions according to accepted standards, and providing tools for validating these.

With standards-based georeferenced locations, your data can be contributed to mapping and geographic search applications, such as through the DiGIR portals. These applications allow users to use map-based interfaces to review, query, and otherwise interact with your data, either alone or in combination with data from other sources. (See References » Uses of Georeferenced Primary Species Data)

Georeferencing involves three stages: generating location coordinates, calculating the error, and validation. Conducting georeferencing at your institution or project may involve additional stages, such as preparing data fields, expanding data tables to receive BioGeomancer's result output, and training in interpreting the georeferencing results at each stage.

The BioGeomancer Project would like to offer the support information outlined below for beginning georeferencers. If you'd like to help us write any part of this section, please say so!