The National Biodiversity Data Centre is a national centre for the collection,collation, management,analysis and dissemination of data on Ireland’s biological diversity.Biodiversity data are a key requirement for understanding our natural surroundings,for tracking change in our environment and for gaining a greater insight on how we benefit from,and impact upon,the ecosystem goods and services provided by biological diversity; a national asset which contributes at least €2.6 billion to the Irish economy each year.The Data Centre was established by the Heritage Council in 2007 and is funded by the Heritage Council and the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.