Towards Global Observation Networks: GBIF

1
Towards Global Observation Networks GBIFs plans
for mobilising Primary Biodiversity Data

• Vishwas Chavan and Eamonn O Tuama
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility
• Copenhagen, Denmark
• Email vchavan_at_gbif.org

2
Observational Data Why?

• 60 of the GBIF mobilised data is observation
• Exponential data growth is an ambition
• ODTG Mandate
• Observational Data Sharing Infrastructure
• Metadata Schemas for Observational Data types
• Protocols and standards for observational Data
  Sharing and exchange
• Increased participation for expotential data
  growth

3
ODTG Survey

• Publishers with data records (over 500,000) 38
• Digitisation 45 digital, 33 non-digital, 40
  online
• Basis of records field survey (74), ecological
  studies (64), Site monitoring (51), migration
  (31), vegetation sampling (58)
• Accuracy of attributes Scientific names (54),
  Common Names (20), Lat-Long 46 (up to 75
  geo-referenced)

4
ODTG Survey

• Levels of Access Control archive (13), prior
  consent (48), open access (74)
• Barriers time management (64), funding (51),
  concerns of impact on sensitive resources (51)
• Participation 51 open to participate in GBIF
  data mobilisation activities

5
ODTG Recommendations

• GBIF must provide functionality for Resources
  Discovery
• Improve descriptive metadata for datasets
• Spatial attributes of datasets are essential for
  proper use
• Description of taxonomic system and methods of
  identifictaion
• Protocols used for data collection, collation,
  etc.
• Proper attribution to dataset and data record
  contributor

6
ODTG Recommendations

• Data within each dataset must be organised in
  interoperable format
• Extend Darwin core schema to facilitate access to
  deeply structured data
• Additional elements to Darwin Core ProjectCode,
  SamplingEventIdentifier, SurveyAreaIdentifier,
  ProtocolIdentifier, ObservationCount,
  AllSpeciesReported
• Standardise and ratify both ABCD and Darwin Core
  schema and develop thematic extensions
• Keep abreast with Unified Model of Observational
  Data Interoperability

7
ODTG Recommendations

• GBIF must encourage participation also through
  increased data use
• Enhance the data processing, analysis and
  visualisation, data cleaning, repository,
  publisuing tools and web services
• Improve data attribution and data sharing
  policies
• Increase the nos of languages in which GBIF
  material is available
• Special efforts for access to mega-biodiversity
  holdings and countries
• Translations of GBIF tools, portals, manuals in
  major lanugaues

8
GBIF Plans

• Proposed Recommendation on Publishing and
  Discovery of Biodiversity Data
• Global Biodiversity Resources Discovery System
• Integrated Publishing Toolkit
• Data Hosting Centres
• Global Strategy and Action Plan for Mobilisation
  of Observation, Ecology/Environment and
  Multimedia Data
• Training Manual on Mobilisation of Observational
  Data

9
In quest of solutions!

• Domain specific schemas with cross walks?
• How do we avoid duplication of a resource?
• How to involve small data publishers?
• How do we leverage on existing investment?
• What are innovative ways for
• Data capture, metadata creation, data
  storage/archival, mobilisation, fitness-for-use,
  data visualisation and analysis, modelling and
  forecasting

10
Questions!