Question

What is BHL?

Answer 1

Research methodology is a set of specific procedures or techniques which are used for identifying, selecting, processing and analysing information about a certain topic. BHL mainly works for the research methodology.

Complete Answer:
- BHL (Biological Heritage Library) mainly works for the development of research methodology by working collaboratively in making biodiversity literature openly available to the world. It is the world’s largest open-access digital library for biodiversity literature and archives.
- The BHL consortium works with the international taxonomic community, publishers, bioinformaticians and information technology professionals to develop tools and services to facilitate greater access, interoperability, and reuse of content and data.
- It improves research methodology by collaboratively making biodiversity literature openly available to the world as part of a global biodiversity community. BHL also engages with worldwide audiences using a range of social media tools and online initiatives.

Additional information: Similar to BHL, the Red Data Book is a public document which has information related to endangered and rare species of animals, plants and fungi. The advantages of the Red Data book are,
- It can be used to estimate the risk of taxa becoming globally extinct.
- It can be used for evaluating the population of a particular species.
- It is helpful in identifying various animals, birds and other species and also their conservation status.
- It also provides information to why a species has become extinct.

Note: It is to be noted that the BHL portal provides free access to hundreds of thousands of volumes, comprising over 58 million pages, from the $15^{th}$ - $21^{st}$ centuries.