Spatial data is information about physical locations. Maps are a convenient way to visualize information. Although it is possible to map almost anything you can think of, maps are usually used to represent spatial data. Road maps show how to get from one location to another, city maps help the user find locations within a city.
This kind of location and environmental information is very important when combined with other types of data, such as species location data. A map that combines those two types of information would allow scientists to determine where an animal or plant lives, the types of environments it favors, and where to look for it. Conservationists may use that map to decide where to attempt re-population of endangered species and where to focus eradication efforts against invasive organisms.
Geographical Information Systems are powerful mapping tools that allow users to create maps showing several types of data. PBIN uses GIS to offer interactive mapping tools that allow the user to choose what type of data to look at and the program will put that data on a map for the user to view.
