Biological Collections are gaining recognition as a priceless source of information on the historic distribution and diversity of life. The Internet is emerging as a major player, allowing us to share the precious information stored in Biological Collections. Many different types of Biological Collections exist. People have historically used collections of live plants and seeds to help identify, understand and use the plants around them. These collections are called ex situ plant germplasm, or plant genetic resource collections. Today, there are literally millions of samples of live seed and plants stored in ex situ collections around the world.

WebGRMS is a prototype web-based GIS/database application that interfaces with the USDA, ARS National Temperate Forage Legume Germplasm Collection. This application provides the following features:

1. A mapping module that allows for interactive mapping of the collection ,
2. A query module that allows us to analyze the collection using simple graphs,
3. A data entry area that allows for public participation in enhancing the database.

WebGRMS provides a web-based map interface that allows users to issue spatial queries about the collection, and view the resultant maps. Examples of queries supported include:

1. Give me a map showing where alfalfa has been collected in a specific country, such as Russia.
2. Give me a map showing the geographic distribution of red clover in the collection. Individual maps can be produced at different taxonomic levels (i.e. family, genus, species).
3. Where were alfalfa seed collected by Jane Doe on her 2001 trip to Armenia?
4. I want to grow a new forage at my location. Here are the environmental attributes of my site (i.e. rainfall, temperature). Give me a list of accessions that may be suitable to my location, since they were collected in a similiar climate.
5. I am planning to collect wild clover species in the western United States. Give me a map showing where clover has previously been collected in the same area.

WebGRMS supports collection analysis through interactive querys and visualization of results using graphs. This allows users to answer the following questions:

1. I want to grow forages in Peru, and want to know if there are any accessions in the collection that were collected from environments similar to my site in Peru.
2. I am studying a particular species, and am interested in knowing the climate conditions where it is likely to grow. I want to compare these conditions to the conditions at my own location
3. I want to compare the annual climate (i.e. rainfall or temperature) of a given accession, to my own climate, which I select off a map

WebGRMS supports web-based data entry. Demonstrations include:
1. Forms that allow collectors to enter information on newly collected germplasm,
2. Forms that allow database correction through public participation.