Artsdatabanken
Artsdatabanken is Norway's state-funded national biodiversity knowledge bank, operating mapping, taxonomy, and citizen-science platforms that aggregate ~58 million species observations and produce the official Red List and Alien Species assessments under the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersTrondheim, Norway
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingSoftware
What Artsdatabanken does
Artsdatabanken is Norway's national knowledge bank for biodiversity, established as an independent, directly state-funded government agency (selvstendig, bruttofinansiert etat) under the Ministry of Climate and Environment (Klima- og miljødepartementet) since 1 January 2018, with origins dating to 2005. Headquartered in Trondheim with 27 employees (organization number 919 666 102), the agency operates a unified biodiversity platform whose core products include Artskart (an interactive map service aggregating approximately 58 million species observations covering roughly 81% of Norway's known species), Artsobservasjoner (citizen-science reporting app), Nortaxa (the authoritative Norwegian taxonomic register of ~212,000 scientific names and 47,000+ Norwegian and Sami common names), NiN-kart, and the Portal for økologiske grunnkart. The underlying technology stack is built on the international Darwin Core standard for biodiversity data sharing, uses the GBIF Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT) for data publishing, and exposes a public Artskart API plus WMS/WFS services for GIS integration, with nightly data refresh cycles.
The agency also produces Norway's official Red List for species (34,171 assessed species in the 2021 edition) and the Fremmedartslista (4,965 alien species assessed in the 2023 edition), the latter of which directly underpins Miljødirektoratet's February 2026 proposal to prohibit 102 foreign species. Its business model is direct state appropriation rather than commercial revenue: all services and data are delivered free of charge under a CC BY 4.0 open license, and the organization does not collect subscription or transactional fees. Its customer base is segmented horizontally across research and academic institutions (NTNU, UiO, UiB, Tromsø Museum, NHM), government environmental agencies (Miljødirektoratet, NINA, NIBIO, Norsk Polarinstitutt, Havforskningsinstituttet), nature management professionals, and citizen scientists. Strategic partnerships include GBIF Norge for international data exchange, NorBOL for DNA barcoding infrastructure, and a network of Norwegian museums and research institutes as data contributors.
Artsdatabanken firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Artsdatabanken
- Legal name
- Artsdatabanken
- Website
- https://artsdatabanken.no
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Artsdatabanken is Norway's state-funded national biodiversity knowledge bank, operating mapping, taxonomy, and citizen-science platforms that aggregate ~58 million species observations and produce the official Red List and Alien Species assessments under the Ministry of Climate and Environment.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Artsdatabanken industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Biodiversity Information Systems
- NAICS
- Administration of Conservation Programs (92412), Administration of Environmental Quality Programs (924), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs (EUAHAHAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Nature & Biodiversity Reporting (TNFD, natural capital) (EUAHAJAM), Environmental Data Integration, ETL & Interoperability (APIs, Standards, Data Pipelines) (EUAHAKAB), Wildlife, Biodiversity & Habitat Conservation Administration (BPAIAMAG), Terrestrial Ecology & Habitat Surveys (EUAHAHAA)
Keywords
Where Artsdatabanken is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Trondheim
- HQ country
- Norway
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Artsdatabanken business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations
Revenue model
- Government Funding: Artsdatabanken is a government-funded entity under the Ministry of Climate and Environment (Klima- og miljødepartementet), established as an independent agency from January 1, 2018. Services are delivered free of charge through web applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Annual | Free access to all services |
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Artsdatabanken product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Artsdatabanken operates Norway's national digital knowledge platform for biodiversity, providing free public access to species observation maps (Artskart), a citizen-science reporting system (Artsobservasjoner), an authoritative taxonomic name registry (Nortaxa), nature type classification maps (NiN-kart), and official national species risk assessments including the Norwegian Red List and the Alien Species List (Fremmedartslista). All services are delivered as web applications and APIs, integrated under the Darwin Core international data standard and made openly available under CC BY 4.0 licensing.
Product overview
Artsdatabanken is a Norwegian government-funded knowledge bank for biodiversity operating under the Ministry of Climate and Environment. The organization provides a unified platform of interconnected services for species and nature type information. Core offerings include Artskart (species observation mapping), Artsobservasjoner (citizen reporting), Nortaxa (taxonomic name registry), and NiN-kart (nature type classification). Supporting products include the Norwegian Red List for species, Foreign Species List, species handbooks, and the Artsorakel identification tool. All services share the Nortaxa naming register and Darwin Core data standards, enabling interoperability across the platform. The ecosystem serves both professional researchers and citizen scientists with open data access.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Artskart Interactive web-based mapping service showing georeferenced species observations in Norway and Svalbard. Aggregates data from multiple Norwegian institutions and data providers through GBIF-Norge, with approximately 58 million documented findings and around 81% of Norway's known species documented.
- Artsobservasjoner Mobile and web platform for citizens, amateur naturalists, and volunteers to report and register species observations. Includes a bulk mass-reporting feature for specific geographic locations, added in May 2026.
- Nortaxa Norwegian taxonomic register database for managing and standardizing scientific and Norwegian species names and taxonomy. Serves as the authoritative naming reference for all Artsdatabanken services, containing approximately 212,000 scientific names and 47,000+ Norwegian and Sami common names.
- NiN-kart Nature type and landscape mapping service based on the Natur i Norge (NiN) classification system. Provides continuously updated open data from multiple sources for describing and systematizing nature from large landscapes to small habitats.
- Portal for økologiske grunnkart Comprehensive portal displaying landscape, nature types, species, and environmental variables. Used for planning, management, impact assessment, land use, and nature conservation.
- Norsk rødliste for arter 2021 (Norwegian Red List for Species) Comprehensive database of approximately 34,171 species assessed for risk of extinction in Norway, covering all taxonomic groups with IUCN-based risk categorization. Used by government agencies for environmental regulation and conservation planning.
- Fremmedartslista 2023 (Alien Species List) Assessment of ecological risk posed by foreign/alien species in Norway, containing 4,965 evaluated taxa with risk categories including SE (very high risk), HI (high risk), PH (potentially high risk), LO (low risk), and NK (no known risk). Forms the basis of Miljødirektoratet's February 2026 proposal to prohibit 102 foreign species.
- Artsorakel Interactive species identification tool that helps users (primarily citizen scientists and amateur naturalists) identify species through guided questions and characteristics.
- Artshåndbøker (Species Handbooks) Comprehensive species handbooks providing detailed descriptions, images, distribution information, and identification keys for various taxonomic groups, freely accessible online.
- Navnevask Name validation tool that checks species lists against Artsdatabanken's taxonomic name register (Nortaxa), identifying new information and correcting spelling errors.
- Digital identification keys (Clavis) Digital species identification keys built using the Clavis tool, enabling systematic species identification based on morphological and ecological characteristics.
- Norsk rødliste for naturtyper (Norwegian Red List for Nature Types) Assessment of nature types at risk of being lost from Norway, organized using the Natur i Norge (NiN) classification system.
- Artskart API Public REST API for machine-to-machine communication with Artskart. Key endpoints include /api/observations (filterable by county, polygon areas, and datasets) and /api/taxon for searching taxa. WMS/WFS services support coordinate formats including UTM zone 33 (euref89) and latitude/longitude, with nightly data updates.
Quantifiable outcome
- Approximately 81% of species known from Norway are documented in Artskart
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Artsdatabanken
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Artsdatabanken technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature5 records
Artsdatabanken partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- GBIF NorgecoreGBIF Norge (Global Biodiversity Information Facility Norway node) works with Artsdatabanken to make Norwegian species occurrence data available internationally through the GBIF network. Artskart harvests data from GBIF Norge's integrated database system.
- Norwegian Barcode of Life Network (NorBOL)coreArtsprosjektet partners with NorBOL to DNA barcode species specimens collected during mapping projects. The partnership ensures standardized DNA barcoding of species for research and identification purposes.
- Natural History Museum, University of Oslo (NHM)coreContributes species observation data to Artskart through GBIF Norge network. Serves as a data owner and collection holder for zoological specimens.
- Norsk institutt for naturforskning (NINA)coreContributes species observation data including data from Norsk hekkefuglatlas database to Artskart. Collaborates on nature management and conservation projects.
- Norsk PolarinstituttcoreContributes Arctic species observation data to Artskart, particularly important for Svalbard biodiversity documentation.
- GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility)coreInternational network through which Artsdatabanken's Norwegian species data is shared globally. Artskart integrates with GBIF's international data standards and infrastructure.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Artsdatabanken competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- NIBIO (Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research): Norwegian applied research institute contributing species and land-use data to Artskart; shares focus on nature types and land management but with broader agricultural/forestry remit.
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA): Major data contributor to Artskart and research partner; comparable Norwegian environmental science scope but research-driven rather than data-infrastructure mandate, providing datasets that flow through Artsdatabanken.
Emerging players
- iNaturalist: Global citizen-science biodiversity platform integrated with GBIF; overlaps with Artsobservasjoner for species observation reporting and identification, with significantly larger user base and broader geographic scope.
Broad incumbents
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Intergovernmental network through which Artsdatabanken publishes Norwegian data; functions as the global backbone for biodiversity data exchange and the standards (Darwin Core, IPT) Artsdatabanken implements.
- Catalogue of Life: Global authoritative taxonomic index integrating species checklists from providers worldwide; overlaps with Nortaxa's role as a curated taxonomic register, but at global rather than national scope.
- iDigBio: U.S. National Science Foundation-funded aggregator of museum-based biodiversity specimen data; comparable in standardizing and exposing biodiversity data to researchers, though museum-specimen rather than observation focused.
Regional players
- Miljødirektoratet (Norwegian Environment Agency): Norwegian regulatory body that consumes Artsdatabanken's Red Lists and Alien Species Lists to drive environmental policy and enforcement (e.g., 102-species prohibition proposal); closely coupled as regulator/data customer.
Direct peers
- Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (FinBIF): Finland's national biodiversity data platform operated as a service by the Finnish Museum of Natural History; provides species observations, taxonomic registry (FinBIF taxonomy), and red-list products mirroring Artsdatabanken's offerings in a neighboring Nordic market.
- Atlas of Living Australia (ALA): Australia's national biodiversity data platform aggregating species observations, mapping, and sensitive-data services; very similar mandate and platform architecture (mapping, APIs, occurrence downloads) at country scale.
- Swedish Species Information Centre (SLU Artdatabanken): Direct counterpart under the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences; operates the analogous national biodiversity information system (Artfakta, Artportalen) for Sweden with the same name heritage. Highly comparable in mandate, taxonomy/mapping products, and public-agency structure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Artsdatabanken social profiles
Digital presenceArtsdatabanken financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Artsdatabanken leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Artsdatabanken funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Artsdatabanken M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about Artsdatabanken
What does Artsdatabanken do?
Artsdatabanken operates Norway's national digital knowledge platform for biodiversity, providing free public access to species observation maps (Artskart), a citizen-science reporting system (Artsobservasjoner), an authoritative taxonomic name registry (Nortaxa), nature type classification maps (NiN-kart), and official national species risk assessments including the Norwegian Red List and the Alien Species List (Fremmedartslista). All services are delivered as web applications and APIs, integrated under the Darwin Core international data standard and made openly available under CC BY 4.0 licensing.
Is Artsdatabanken a public or private company?
Artsdatabanken is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Artsdatabanken founded?
Artsdatabanken was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Artsdatabanken based?
Artsdatabanken is headquartered in Trondheim, Norway, in the Europe region.
How does Artsdatabanken make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Who are Artsdatabanken's main competitors?
Others on record are NIBIO (Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research) and Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA). iNaturalist is listed as an emerging player. Broad incumbents are Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Catalogue of Life and iDigBio. Miljødirektoratet (Norwegian Environment Agency) is listed as a regional player. Direct peers are Finnish Biodiversity Information Facility (FinBIF), Atlas of Living Australia (ALA) and Swedish Species Information Centre (SLU Artdatabanken).
Does Artsdatabanken have an API?
Yes. Artsdatabanken offers a public API for machine-to-machine communication through Artskart. The API allows developers to query species observations and taxonomy data. Key endpoints include: /api/observations for fetching observations (supports filtering by county, polygon areas, and datasets), /api/taxon for quick searching and retrieving taxa and their names. Data is exchanged with GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) via their API. WMS/WFS services are available for GIS integration, supporting coordinate formats including UTM zone 33 (euref89) and latitude/longitude. Data is updated nightly. Developer documentation is at artskart.artsdatabanken.no/publicapi/help.
What industry is Artsdatabanken in?
Artsdatabanken's product category is Biodiversity Information Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAHAHAE, Biodiversity Baseline Studies & Long-Term Monitoring Programs, with a secondary code of EUAHAJAM, Nature & Biodiversity Reporting (TNFD, natural capital). Its NAICS code is 92412 and its SIC code is 8731.