A huge study which will eventually aid in the protection of Bermuda's island habitat and species is gathering momentum.

The Bermuda Biodiversity Project aims to prepare a complete databank of the Island's wildlife, vegetation and environment. The tally will in turn provide the basis for future planning, legislation and preservation.

At a special presentation at the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo, project leader Anne Glasspool, of the Bermuda Biological Station for Research, said the database would include historical documents, current research and future schemes.

Once complete, it will provide a complete picture of the state of Bermuda's biological diversity -- which the UK Government and other non-governmental organisations are already taking an interest in.

"It will make information available to everyone who wants it,'' she said.

"Our goal is to collate and disseminate necessary information to decision makers.'' A historical database from some of the hundreds of research projects carried out over the years will be collated, and it will be made available on an Internet website.

And once the project is complete, it will use the latest Geographical Information Services to enable mapping of biodiversity -- from the location of Longtail habitats to the distribution of coral reefs.

Ms Glasspool congratulated the summer students that have provided valuable support for the project, studying, for example, the Bermuda skink or investigating marine habitats.

And she thanked the organisations and individuals who had provided information, resources and financial assistance to the project.

Wolfgang Sterrer, of the Aquarium, said it was important for Bermuda, as a small Island that was densely populated, to look after what biodiversity it had.

Aquarium Curator, Jack Ward, highlighted on-going concern over the health of the Island's coral reefs.

He said, the project was trying to complete a map of all Bermuda's coral reefs, and commended Government for their assistance in compiling a mosaic of aerial photos of the entire reef platform.