The second Biota Of Rhode Island Index System is a guide to evidence about the animals, plants, and other living organisms—the biota—of Rhode Island and its environs. BORIIS2 is based around “Observations” which take the form of the question: “Who saw what species when and where and how do we know?” BORIIS is an index, and where appropriate, users may want to consult the cited evidentiary records directly.
As of fall 2025, BORIIS2 is in a prototype form, with limited features, available only to Survey staff. The future vision is for security-tiered access by agency personnel, other nonprofit staff, students, researchers, and the public. Additional funding is needed to achieve this vision. Contact the Survey if you have an idea for how to fund additional development.
BORIIS2 is a relational database developed to index observations of species in Rhode Island from a variety of original sources allowing appropriate users, in ways consistent with resource security concerns, to access information and to get assistance finding original sources in ways that advance research, education, and conservation in Rhode Island.
The BORIIS2 project is conceived, organized, and carried out by the Rhode Island Natural History Survey. The Survey is a member-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 1994. To promote ecosystem resilience, the Survey collects, organizes, and disseminates information on Rhode Island’s biodiversity and ecosystems. The Survey engages curious observers of all ages—professionals, amateurs, scientists, artists—in field-based experiences that build connections to science, conservation, and the natural world. From space provided by the University of Rhode Island College of the Environment and Life Sciences, the Survey manages data documenting the state’s species and natural communities, publishes books and articles, facilitates projects that have diverse partners or complex funding, and hosts events bringing people together including conferences and the annual Rhode Island BioBlitz.
The development of BORIIS2 has been funded in part by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under Assistance Agreement CE00A01306 to the recipient via the Narragansett Bay Estuary Program. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, nor does the U.S. EPA endorse trade names or recommend the use of any products, services or enterprises mentioned in this document. The development and operation of BORIIS2 are guided by a Secondary Data Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP). The QAPP currently in effect may be reviewed here. Additional development support came from the Rhode Island Conservation Stewardship Collaborative, Blackburn Labs, and the members and friends of the Rhode Island Natural History Survey.
Ongoing operation of BORIIS2 is funded in part by the RI Conservation Stewardship Collaborative, RI Department of Environmental Management, University of Rhode Island College of the Environment and Life Sciences, The Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island, and the members and friends of the Natural History Survey.
For more information, contact the Survey.