# Key Biodiversity Areas

> website

**Wikidata**: [Q110244470](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110244470)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/key-biodiversity-areas

## Summary
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) is a website and online database launched in 1990 that identifies and catalogs critical sites for global biodiversity conservation. It provides standardized, science-based information on areas essential for species and ecosystem survival, supporting conservation planning and policy decisions. The platform is accessible in English and serves as a global reference for researchers, policymakers, and conservationists.

## Key Facts
- Launched in 1990 as a website and online database.
- Primary URL: http://www.keybiodiversityareas.org/ (active as of 2021).
- Focuses on mapping and documenting Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) worldwide.
- Twitter account (@KeyBiodiversity) created on May 16, 2014.
- Content primarily in English, with data updated through 2021.
- Serves as the World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas, integrating global conservation priorities.
- Classifications: website, online database, conservation tool.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the purpose of the Key Biodiversity Areas website?
A: The website identifies and maps critical biodiversity sites to inform conservation efforts, using standardized criteria to highlight areas vital for species and ecosystem health.

### Q: When was the Key Biodiversity Areas platform launched?
A: The website was launched in 1990, with ongoing updates, including a Twitter account established in 2014 to share updates and engagement.

### Q: Who uses the Key Biodiversity Areas database?
A: The database is used by conservation organizations, researchers, governments, and policymakers to prioritize and protect biodiversity hotspots globally.

## Why It Matters
Key Biodiversity Areas plays a pivotal role in global conservation by providing a unified, science-driven framework to identify and monitor critical ecosystems. It addresses the challenge of habitat loss by pinpointing areas where conservation action is most urgent, such as habitats supporting endangered species or unique ecological processes. By standardizing data across regions, the platform facilitates collaboration among governments, NGOs, and scientists, ensuring efficient allocation of resources for biodiversity protection. Its long-term impact includes influencing international agreements, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity, and guiding sustainable development initiatives to minimize environmental harm. As a dynamic resource updated through 2021, it adapts to emerging threats like climate change, making it indispensable for preserving life-supporting ecosystems.

## Notable For
- First global database to standardize criteria for identifying critical biodiversity sites (1990).
- Integrates data from multiple conservation frameworks, including Important Bird Areas and Alliance for Zero Extinction sites.
- Serves as the official World Database of Key Biodiversity Areas, recognized by international conservation agreements.
- Provides open-access, actionable data for policymakers and researchers worldwide.
- Maintains a long-term social media presence (Twitter since 2014) to engage stakeholders and share conservation updates.

## Body
### Launch and Development
- **Inception**: The Key Biodiversity Areas website was launched in 1990 as a centralized platform for biodiversity conservation data.
- **Domain**: The primary website (http://www.keybiodiversityareas.org/) has been active since its launch, with content in English and updates documented through 2021.

### Features and Scope
- **Database Function**: The platform functions as an online database, cataloging Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) using globally recognized criteria.
- **Global Coverage**: It maps sites across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems, emphasizing areas critical for species survival and ecosystem resilience.

### Related Projects and Outreach
- **Twitter Engagement**: The initiative maintains a Twitter account (@KeyBiodiversity) created on May 16, 2014, to disseminate information and foster community engagement, with activity tracked through 2022.
- **Collaboration**: The database integrates with other conservation frameworks, ensuring alignment with global standards for biodiversity protection.

### Technical Specifications
- **Language**: Primary content and data are presented in English, though the platform supports global conservation efforts across regions.
- **Classification**: Structured as both a website and an online database, with a focus on conservation science and policy.