The Biogeographic Information and Observation System (BIOS), overseen by the California Department of Fish and Game, is an interactive mapping program that integrates GIS, relational database management, and ESRI's ArcIMS technology to manage biogeographic data for the state of California. There is an immense amount of environmental resource data that has been and is being collected by the California Department of Fish and Game, especially in recent years. Collecting more data on biological and environmental resources is important, however it can provide challenges such as where and how to manage, store, and distribute the data. BIOS has been designed to provide help with these challenges, and provide an accessible medium for interested people to access the data.

The BIOS project is part of an overall collaboration between the NBII, California DFG, USGS Western Ecological Research Center, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to provide access to a wide variety of biological observation data and spatial information needed for conservation planning efforts across the state, known as the "Southern California Data Integration project". The California Information Node's role in the partnership is to provide access to non-sensitive data and information to the public.

The BIOS system allows users to visualize the spatial distribution of biological data generated by the Department of Fish and Game (DFG) and partner organizations. It is an evolving system, and its usefulness may increase further with advances in technology and database management tools.

Much information can be obtained through the various data viewers, including California essential habitat connectivity, the desert renewable energy conservation plan, hydrography information, ecoregion delineations, state parks, game refuges, and more.

To access the Public BIOS Data Viewer, click here.

To access the Public BIOS Habitat Connectivity Viewer, click here.

To access the Public BIOS Renewable Energy Viewer, click here.