# Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute

> botanical research institute in Jeff Davis County, Texas

**Wikidata**: [Q5097311](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5097311)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chihuahuan_Desert_Research_Institute)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/chihuahuan-desert-research-institute

## Summary
The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute is a botanical research institute located in Jeff Davis County, Texas, established in 1973 that conducts systematic investigation into desert ecosystems and plant life.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1973 and located in Jeff Davis County, Texas
- Operates the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens as subsidiaries
- Has coordinates at 30.56°N, 103.841°W
- Classified as a research institute, botanical garden, and protected area
- Uses the Geonames feature code S.ITTR for geographic identification
- Has a Freebase ID of /m/04n5zvb
- Has a Library of Congress authority ID of n82200095
- Has a National Library of Israel J9u ID of 987007381819805171
- Mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization
- Covered in 3 Wikipedia language editions (commons, German, English)
- Has a Wikidata ID of Q328 with the description "botanical research institute in Jeff Davis County, Texas"

## FAQs
### What is the primary purpose of the Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute?
The institute exists exclusively to conduct botanical research on desert ecosystems, focusing on plant life and environmental studies rather than education or commercial applications.

### How is it distinguished from other research organizations?
Unlike universities that balance teaching and research or think tanks focused on policy research, this institute specializes exclusively in fundamental scientific inquiry across all botanical disciplines.

### What specific facilities does it operate?
The institute manages the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens as its primary operational facilities for research and public education.

### What international recognition does it have?
The institute's work is documented in 3 Wikipedia language editions, indicating its relevance across multiple cultural and linguistic contexts.

## Why It Matters
The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute serves as a dedicated engine of discovery focused exclusively on desert ecology and botanical science. By concentrating resources solely on research without teaching or commercial obligations, the institute accelerates breakthroughs in understanding arid ecosystem dynamics. Its work addresses critical global challenges including climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable land management in desert regions. The institute provides a unique environment where scientists can pursue long-term, high-risk research that might not fit within university or corporate timelines, contributing to fundamental knowledge that benefits both scientific communities and society at large.

## Notable For
- Dedicated exclusively to botanical research activities, unlike hybrid organizations
- Operates as a standalone research institute rather than a sub-unit of larger institutions
- Focuses on fundamental scientific inquiry across all botanical disciplines rather than specialized policy research
- Maintains its own botanical gardens and nature center as research and education facilities
- Has been recognized by multiple international library and knowledge systems
- Uses standardized geographic and classification codes across multiple databases

## Body
### History and Establishment
The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute was established in 1973 with the primary mission of conducting botanical research in the Chihuahuan Desert region. The institute was founded specifically to address the unique ecological challenges and opportunities presented by this arid ecosystem. Its inception marked a dedicated effort to generate new knowledge about desert plant life and environmental systems.

### Classification and Identification
The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute is formally classified under multiple knowledge organization systems. The Library of Congress uses the authority ID n82200095, while the German National Library assigns GND ID 4017909-6. Geographic databases recognize research institutes through the Geonames feature code S.ITTR. In library science, it falls under Dewey Decimal Classification 001.406.

### Distinctions from Related Entities
Research institutes are specifically differentiated from several similar organizations. Unlike scientific societies or learned societies which are membership-based organizations, research institutes are operational entities conducting hands-on investigation. They differ from think tanks in their broader disciplinary scope - while think tanks focus on policy research, research institutes pursue fundamental inquiry across all fields. They're also distinct from research centers, which may be sub-units within larger organizations rather than standalone entities.

### Global Recognition
The concept achieves broad international recognition, with Wikipedia articles in 3 languages including German and English. This extensive linguistic coverage indicates the universal applicability and recognition of the research institute as an organizational form across diverse cultural and national contexts.

### Research Focus and Facilities
The institute specializes exclusively in botanical research within the Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem. Its research activities cover plant species adaptation, desert ecology, water conservation, and biodiversity preservation. The institute operates the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens as its primary facilities for both research and public education. These facilities provide controlled environments for studying desert plants and serve as educational resources for the community.

### Geographic and Technical Details
The institute is situated at coordinates 30.56°N, 103.841°W in Jeff Davis County, Texas. This location provides access to the diverse desert ecosystems characteristic of the Chihuahuan Desert region. The institute uses standardized geographic identification codes across multiple databases, ensuring consistent recognition in global knowledge systems.

### Knowledge Organization and Classification
The Chihuahuan Desert Research Institute is mapped to schema.org/ResearchOrganization for structured data purposes. It has been assigned unique identifiers across multiple library and knowledge systems, including its Freebase ID (/m/04n5zvb) and National Library of Israel J9u ID (987007381819805171). These identifiers help distinguish the institute in international bibliographic and geographic databases.

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File