ALTER-NET AND SERONTONic Bertrand on behalf of ALTER-Net I6 Team

OVERVIEW

• Brief introduction

• Ontology Creation Process

• Lessons Learned - What work and what could work better

ALTER-NET

• Network for Long term ecological research

• Need to integrate data from many different sources, types... etc...

• Metadata information catalogue (InfoBase) (What’s being measured, where)

• Semantic framework for data integration (SERONTO)

Socio-Ecological Research and Observation oNTOlogy

SERONTO Components

Ecosystems

Socio-Economics

Biodiversity

Landscape

Taxonomy

ISO19115

Units

OBOE

Core ontology Domain ontologyExternal

ontologies

Coreontology

InfoBase

EML

Common domainknowledge space

Core OntologyDomain OntologiesImported/Mapped Standards & Ontologies

Short term perspective: Common model on how ecological and socio-ecological

observations can be structured for data management Agreed common representation on observations across

different domains Agreed common key domain concepts (common

knowledge space)

Mid-to long term perspective: Integrative data model for seamless data access and

querying across multiple institutions and diverse data types (tested, mid-to long term perspective)

Uses of SERONTO

SERONTO CORE ONTOLOGY

There are five main aspects to consider:

1. Sampling structure (where does the "object" of measurement come from, and how is it selected)

2. Observation on “objects": what parameter, when (time stamp) and how (method chains)

3. For each parameter precision, scale, units and dimensions are identified

4. Make use of available knowledge collected in the reference catalogue

5. Grouping method for connecting pieces of information which relate to each other

Ontology Creation Process

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIESRole Who Description

decision forum The whole community (if small) or delegates of the community for which the ontology is developed

decides on proposed ontology solutions for each issue and ensure the common acceptance in the community

ontology working group formed by members of the community who are working on a specific ontology aspect

Carry out the ontology process steps 1 to 3, including the creation of examples (step 5)

working group coordinator One member of the working group overview over the group process (WIKI)

responsible person for ontology issue One member of the working group overview over the specific issue, the deadlines (WIKI)

ontology experts Experts of the community Carry out ontology process step 4 to bring all solutions together formalized in ontologies

ontology coordinator Process experts of the community overview over whole process, deadlines; facilitates the process and acts as a process mediator

WORKSHOPS / FACE TO FACEBrainstorm

Conceptual Models

Load into Protege

Create examples / instances

Document Examples in Wiki

Document Issues in Wiki

DOMAIN ONTOLOGY WORKING GROUPS

Small GroupsWork through examples

to develop domain ontologyTest Core Ontology

Raise issuesCommunicate findings

with other groups

Ontology Creation Process

Decision

work in progress under discussion voting periodprolongedvoting period

WPS WPE DD VD PVD

a1

Issue

WIKI AS A DECISION FORUM

WIKI AS A DECISION FORUM

WIKI AS A DECISION FORUM

WIKI AS A DECISION FORUM

WIKI AS A TOOL TO REFINE DEV PROCESS

TOOL TO REFINE PROCESS

CONCLUSIONS• It’s hard!

• Technical solutions can get in the way

• Emotions can get in the way

• Groups / Leadership change

• Strong coordination is essential

• A Clear, Open and agreed Process help

• Well managed Face to Face meetings are key

• Everybody will eventually contribute -- It takes time and effort

WHAT COULD HAVE WORKED BETTER

• Documentation of discussions

• Focus on short-term application of ontology to demonstrate benefits of approach

• Closure of contentious points

• Develop examples earlier

• Work with real data earlier

• Establish clearer framework for domain ontologies

• Publish

http://www5.umweltbundesamt.at/ALTERNet/index.php?title=Ont:Ontology_Creation_Portal