description iNaturalist Overview
iNaturalist is an online biodiversity observation platform and social network launched in 2008. Users upload photographs or sound recordings of plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms, along with location information, and other members help identify them. The resulting observations can support biodiversity research and contribute records to scientific data systems, making the service useful to naturalists, educators, researchers, and citizen scientists.
help iNaturalist FAQ
What is iNaturalist used for?
iNaturalist is a citizen-science platform and social network where people record observations of plants, animals, fungi, and other organisms. It launched in 2008 and allows observations to contribute to biodiversity research.
Can iNaturalist identify a species from a photo?
The platform can suggest possible identifications from an uploaded observation, after which users can add or correct identifications. A community-supported Research Grade observation requires agreement and adequate evidence rather than relying only on an automated suggestion.
How is iNaturalist different from eBird?
iNaturalist covers broad biodiversity, including plants, insects, fungi, and animals, while eBird is focused specifically on bird observations. Both can support research, but iNaturalist is the broader platform for recording many types of organisms.
explore Explore More
Similar to iNaturalist
See all arrow_forward
Reviews & Comments
Write a Review
Be the first to review
Share your thoughts with the community and help others make better decisions.
