HELP · METHODOLOGY
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers about the Extinction Clock, our maps, species profiles, audio and data limitations.
What is SpeciesWatch?
SpeciesWatch is an independent educational biodiversity monitor. It brings selected species profiles, conservation context, satellite fire detections, protected-area records and wildlife recordings into one navigable experience.
Does the Extinction Clock predict when a species will disappear?
No. The Extinction Clock is a 0–100 editorial snapshot using equal category steps inspired by the IUCN Red List Index. Data Deficient profiles are excluded. Its bands describe only the weighted composition of the curated SpeciesWatch catalogue—not individual species, every species assessed globally, or a probability of extinction. It is neither a countdown nor a forecast and is not the official IUCN Red List Index.
Why do your totals differ from global biodiversity totals?
Counters describe the records currently curated or cached by SpeciesWatch, not every known or assessed species on Earth. Explanatory notes beside each metric identify its scope, update interval and practical limits.
Are the red points on the map individual wildfires?
No. They are recent satellite detections of unusual heat supplied by NASA FIRMS. Several detections may belong to one fire, while cloud, satellite coverage and processing delays can hide other events.
Are species dots complete range maps?
No. Occurrence dots are georeferenced observations returned by free sources such as OBIS and GBIF. They can contain spatial or identification uncertainty and should not be read as population counts or complete distribution boundaries.
Where do the sounds come from?
Playable recordings are cached from free wildlife archives, currently including Xeno-canto. Availability depends on taxonomic matching, licensing, recording quality and source coverage, so not every species has audio. Credits and licence information accompany recordings where supplied.
How often is information refreshed?
Refresh frequency differs by layer. Frequently changing feeds are cached and synchronized automatically; editorial profiles change after review. Dates shown in the interface describe the latest available cache or review, not necessarily the moment an event occurred.
Can I use SpeciesWatch for emergency or scientific decisions?
Use it for exploration and education, not as an emergency-warning, navigation or scientific-authority service. Verify important decisions against the linked primary provider and the relevant public authority.
How can I report an error?
Send the profile, page URL, disputed statement and a reliable supporting source through the Contact page or to contact@specieswatch.io. Documented corrections receive priority.