Access GLOBE Data

Access GLOBE Data

GLOBE offers several ways to access and export data from its databases, including options that are suited to general users or programmers and developers. Explore unique ways to search, view, , graph, and export datasets submitted to the database as far back as 1995. 

Data Retrieval Options:

  • GLOBE Visualization System: View, graph, and export GLOBE data from around the world using the GLOBE Visualization System’s interactive map and data visualization features. Using various filters, GLOBE users can find both contemporary measurements and historical data dating back to 1995. The GLOBE Visualization System is preferred for viewing data on a map and then exporting the data visible on the map layer. 
  • GLOBE Advanced Data Access Tool (ADAT): Through refined searches, find and use data from specific protocols, including select GLOBE protocol bundle(s), within chosen sites with GLOBE's ADAT. The ADAT is preferred for retrieving data with specific parameters (e.g., a defined date range from a given country or data from a GLOBE organization or team)
  • GLOBE Application Programming Interface (API): Quickly access GLOBE data and filter it by various parameters using GLOBE’s API. The API supports developers who want to use a programmatic interface to retrieve GLOBE data. GLOBE API is preferred for automated and/or batch data access. 
  • Curated GLOBE Datasets: Search through curated GLOBE datasets or contribute your own in the GLOBE Zenodo community.  
  • GLOBE Downloadable .csv Data: Find and download GLOBE protocol and site data in GLOBE’s collection of .csv datasets from 1995 through August 2025. 

Explore the options in greater detail below. Need further assistance? View the GLOBE Data User Guide. 

Through the GLOBE Visualization System, GLOBE data can be viewed on an interactive map in your web browser. Users can select the sphere, protocols, and date of the data they would like to visualize and interact with individual data points. (Note: For most protocols, users can view data only for a single date. Trees and Land Cover are the exceptions with fixed range options.) The Visualization System also offers advanced features enabling users to filter their data, create animations, graph data points, and export to KMZ format to use with Google Earth and other similar tools. 

The GLOBE Visualization System is preferred for viewing data on a map and then exporting the data visible on the map layer. 

GLOBE Visualization System data are downloaded in tabular format as a .csv (comma separated values) file. 

Need Assistance? 

The GLOBE Visualization System offers a brief step-by-step tutorial already embedded in the mapping tool.  

If you need additional guidance for the GLOBE Visualization System or data retrieval, check out the GLOBE Data User Guide. 

The GLOBE ADAT allows users to download data across protocols in a date range. The ADAT also includes the ability to retrieve data for selected GLOBE protocol bundle(s), which are groupings of GLOBE protocols commonly examined together to study a particular system or phenomenon. 

The GLOBE ADAT is preferred for retrieving data with specific parameters, including by country, organization, and GLOBE team. 

GLOBE ADAT data are downloaded in tabular format as a .csv (comma separated values) file. 

Need Assistance? 

Find guidance on the GLOBE ADAT landing page, including a tutorial and presentation. 

If you need additional guidance for the GLOBE ADAT or data retrieval, check out the GLOBE Data User Guide. 

The GLOBE API uses the open-source Swagger UI for visually constructing and testing database queries and uses Elasticsearch to perform database queries, overcoming key limitations of the ADAT and Visualization System by providing end-users a way to retrieve large batches of GLOBE data and automate data retrieval. 

The GLOBE API is preferred for automated and/or batch data access. 

GLOBE API data are returned as .json (JavaScript Object Notation) or .geojson files. 

Need Assistance? 

Find a step-by-step tutorial on the GLOBE API landing page. 

If you need additional guidance for the GLOBE Application Programming Interface (API) or data retrieval, check out the GLOBE Data User Guide. 

Find a collection of GLOBE curated datasets in the GLOBE Zenodo community.

Find and download GLOBE protocol and site data in GLOBE’s collection of CSV datasets from 1995 through August 2025. Protocol datasets are organized by year, and in the cases of high-volume protocols, the data are further broken down into months.