resource identification for a biological collection information service in europe an introduction to...

Resource Identification for a Biological Collection Information Service in Europe

An introduction to the BioCISE project

Walter G. Berendsohn Botanical Garden and Botanical Museum Berlin-Dahlem

Free University of Berlin


BioCISE: The Vision

A common electronic access system facilitating queries across the hundreds of millions of specimens and monitoring or mapping records held by institutions, projects and individual researchers in the EU and partner countries.


Definition: Biological Collection

Data collections (mapping, survey and monitoring projects)

Natural history collections (mainly in museums and universities)

Living collections (e.g. botanical and zoological gardens, microbial strain collections)


“The BioCISE “The Biological Collection Information Service (“The BioCISE”) will be an interface between holders of biological collections (information providers) and users seeking access to information on specimens or observations (units).

Users ofcollection

materials orcollection

information

WWW-Query Connect toThe

BioCISE Data providers(collections)


Phases of the general project

1. Data structure research and modelling (CDEFD project 1993 – 1996)

2. Resource identification (survey) anddevelopment of project proposals (BioCISE project 1997 – 1999)

3. Demonstration projects, showing partial implementation of The BioCISE

4. Common access to biological collection information


Results of the CDEFD project

CDEFD originally set out to develop a “Common Datastructure for European Floristic Databases”) but soon extended the scope to cover all biological collections.

The resulting information model covers all core aspects relevant to the management of physical objects and field records (the "unit-concept").


Resource identification phase

Collect and publish information on collection data resources and on biodiversity informatics expertise

Identify user needs Build partnerships and formulate proposals

leading to the implementation of The BioCISE

Rapport and communication via WWW


Collection data resources (survey)

Data resources must refer to collection objects and/or observations

Fluid boundary to Taxonomic (Species) Information and Environmental Information

Electronic inventory must be present or in the making, or existing catalogue must lend itself to digitisation


Biodiversity informatics expertise

Catalogue (with their consent) Persons Companies Institutions

with know-how in the implementation of biological collection information systems


The User’s side of The BioCISE Who needs The BioCISE What use can be made of a BioCISE Data quality and standardisation

requirements Information access (IPR, free access) User interface (queries and output)


Project proposals

Liaison with existing organisations and initiatives essential: fill in the gaps

Opportunities: 5th Framework programme of the EC OECD Megascience Forum, Global

Biodiversity Informatics Facility Several national initiatives

Instigate consortia and aid in the formulation of projects.


Possible project areas

Integration of information within a systematic or thematic sub-discipline

Geographic access to biodiversity information Common access via metadata Standard for exchange and common interface Expert service for biological informatics Models for self-sufficiency and commercial

exploitation


Integration of information within a systematic or thematic sub-discipline

Queries

Observation Data

Taxonomic and species oriented information•Checklists and monographs•Sound-Files, Photos, Slides, Films•Data on migration

Collection Data

Output

•Retrieval of collection information (unit related)•Species- oriented geographical and multimedia information•Integrated information

Information System


Geographic integration of biodiversity information

Queries

Environmental Centres

Plants

•survey and collection information

Invertebrates

survey and collection information

Output

Retrieval of •information on co-occurence of species•information on correlations between species and environmental parameters•distribution maps•collection information (unit related)

Information System


The metadata-driven BioCISE

Surveycentres

Natural history museums

Projects

Output

Information on:•laboratories•projects•persons•(protected)areas•units

Queries

Collection Information ServiceSystem

Survey centres

Natural history museums

Projects

Survey centres

Naturalhistory museums

Projects

ThematicInformationSystem

International, national or regional network

NationalInformationSystem

National network


Technology transfer

Queries

Laboratories with non-computerised inventory

Laboratories with non-inventoried collection

Laboratories with databased inventory

Output

•Retrieval of collection information•online accessible data

Information System


Co-operation of different-sized laboratories

Queries

Local museum collection or local survey

Large-scale taxonomic facility

Small, highly specialized collection or survey

Output

•Retrieval of collection information•online accessible data

Information System


Providers’ benefits

Providing information is part of the mission of research collections may be a commercial service in itself helps in the sale of objects (if any for sale) may foster co-operation, division of labour,

specialisation, and planning in general joint organisation of administrative tasks

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