Distributed systems of scientific collections – the netherlands
What is DiSSCo?
Distributed System of Scientific Collections, or DiSSCo for short, is a pan-European research infrastructure designed to digitise and interconnect all European natural science collections. The collaboration began in 2020 and includes more than 400 participants from 23 countries. DiSSCo offers a unique starting point for sharing, jointly managing, actualising, and enriching a wealth of data about the natural world around us across national borders.
Wat does DiSSCo do?
DiSSCo ensures that access to European natural science collections is supported and improved. This is achieved by developing various digital services necessary for collection managers and researchers to do their work effectively.
In this way, we create a unique gateway for editing, supplementing, organizing, and using collection data for research purposes. The possible barriers to digitisation are reduced as far as possible, so that even institutions with smaller collections can participate. With simplicity and affordability as top priorities, as many collections as possible can be made digitally accessible.
The role of DiSSCo-NL
Within the European DiSSCo consortium, the Dutch natural science collections affiliated with it form the DiSSCo-NL consortium. This research infrastructure makes the collections accessible and usable for all forms of research, innovation, and education both domestically and internationally.
Natural science collections in the Netherlands
The current DiSSCo-NL consortium has 12 participating members and 3 associate members. Together, they manage more than 50 million objects: the natural science heritage of the Netherlands.
Key priorities of DiSSCo-NL
Full integration of Dutch collections into the European DiSSCo infrastructure.
Completing the digitisation of millions of specimens and thereby unlocking a wealth of crucial data.
Supporting artificial intelligence and machine learning tools that analyse specimen data for research, conservation, and innovation.
Providing open access to high-quality biodiversity data for science, education, and society.
The Power of Natural Science Collections in the Netherlands
For over 200 years, the Netherlands has cherished a wealth of natural science collections. Managing and preserving these collections is not only important for the protection of our cultural and scientific heritage, but also for our future.
The unique collections, found at a multitude of natural history museums and research institutes in our country, represent an exceptional value—the power to contribute to the livability of our planet.
The available data can be used in all sorts of ways—from studying species in an ecosystem to the effects of climate change. Or to better understand the consequences of the current biodiversity crisis.
Read all about the value of natural science collections in the Netherlands and the visions for the future and ambitions of DiSSCo in “The Power of Natural Science Collections in the Netherlands” .
Dutch version
The Power of Natural Science Collections in the Netherlands was originally released in Dutch as De Kracht van Natuurwetenschappelijke Collecties in Nederland. The original Dutch version can be downloaded as a PDF here. It’s also possible to request a physical Dutch copy. Please send an email, stating your name, affiliation and position, and including a post address to nlbif@naturalis.nl.