On Nov 2-3, the Asia Biodiversity Conservation and Databases Network (ABCDNet) 2015 Working Group Meeting was held in Nanning, Guangxi Province. Organized by the Biodiversity Committee, Chinese Academy of Sciences, working group members from China, India, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Philippines, and Dr. Donald Hobern, the executive secretaries of Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Dr. Bob Corrigan, the director operations of Encyclopedia of Life (EOL), attended the meeting.

Asia is one of the richest biodiversity areas in the world. Many Asia countries/areas have already published national/regional flora or species checklists, and many plant related thematic databases and websites are available. But the information is still limited or scattered. Based on the current situation, ABCDNet Working Group discussed the background, feasibility and plans of Mapping Asia Plants (MAP) in detail. Participants shared their progress of plant biodiversity research, including compiling plant checklist or online database development in their country. Dr. Donald Hobern briefly introduced the biodiversity data types in GBIF, and detailed the possible data and technology support that GBIF could contribute to MAP.

To successfully initiate the MAP project, ABCDNet decided to carry out two panels, the 100 most endangered plants in Asia and Plant Diversity Information Platform in Southeast Asia, in collaborating with experts from Asia countries. Participants also discussed the book Biodiversity Informatics in Asia: Status, Challenges and Opportunities, made out its compilation plan.

During the meeting, participants visited the Longhu Mountain Nature Reserve. The dense subtropical evergreen broad-leaf forest and the common wildlife, such as Macaque Mulatta, left a deep impression.