Virtual Biological Collections: An Educational Tool for the Multidimensional Understanding of Biodiversity

The biosphere, the foundation of all life on Earth, is undergoing massive disruption, with biodiversity declining at an unprecedented rate. Non-native species are the second leading cause of global biodiversity loss. In light of this critical issue, it is essential to develop innovative educational tools that promote meaningful learning and encourage the use of active methodologies that foster student autonomy and independence, even outside the classroom. In this context, Virtual Biological Collections (VBCs) offer the advantage of being accessible anytime and anywhere, allowing multiple students to engage with the material simultaneously, without the risk of deterioration and without relying on physical access to the collections.