Agriculture and natural resource scientists' biodiversity information needs: Barriers and facilitators to use and access in the US Southeast

In a study funded by the United States Geological Survey, a leading provider of biodiversity information, the University of Tennessee Center for Information and Communication Studies assessed the biodiversity information needs of south eastern US agriculture, natural resource management and other life scientists. Results reveal that 30% of agriculture and resource management scientists describe finding the biodiversity information they need as difficult. In addition, while agriculture and resource management scientists are better than other life scientists at searching for, finding and knowing where to find the biodiversity information they need to do their work, they experience significantly greater difficulty accessing that information. They also value different information source attributes and use information sources differently than do other life scientists. By understanding these and other aspects of agriculture and natural resource scientists’ work with biodiversity information, information specialists, librarians, and information and professional organizations can help them maximize their research and practice efforts towards improved environmental outcomes.