Standards and mapping

Currently GBIF France implements biodiversity standards developed by GBIF and TDWG at the international level (Darwin core, EML, ABCD…) and uses IPT software to publish data. PNDB and SINP use metadata standards based on EML. We will work on the harmonisation of mapping taking into account emerging developments and recommendations within GO FAIR. The lack of FAIRization of scientific data and related products is often rooted in difficulties for end users in describing and structuring data (raw as well as processed data) using rich metadata and controlled vocabularies. We propose to evaluate and improve existing tools for these purposes such as the IPT toolkit, Morpho, FME ETL or Openrefine. We will explore and build on existing Life sciences products (such as ISAtools) repurposed for ecology applications.

Data and metadata portals

We propose to develop metadata and data portals based on FAIR utilities linked to PIDs and open licences, using the expertise already developed around the “Living Atlases” community (https://living-atlases.gbif.org/)

Collaborative and workflows oriented online platform for data access and analysis

We envisage an Ecology software accessibility portal potentially based on Galaxy and capitalizing on the ongoing GEO BON EBV pilot as part of the EuroGEOSS “Biodiversity and ecosystem Action group”. This project is based on sharing ecological « analytics bricks » and workflows through the Galaxy-E initiative https://github.com/65MO/Galaxy-E

Training

We have extensive experience in developing French language training programmes for Biodiversity (data curation, sharing, interoperability, and exploitation). We will develop and publish content on data processing at scale, metadata standards and workflows, and build on teaching resources developed by PNDB as a member of the Galaxy Training Network https://galaxyproject.github.io/training-material/ (See examples on phenology study or Species Distribution Modeling). E-learning resources will be produced inspired by « software carpentry » approaches.

Promote Interoperability

We will seek accords on standards and PID to link different research objects (data, workflows, researchers, etc.).

Promote Reuse

We will promote the use of dynamic Data Management Plans, standardized machine readable licenses for data and metadata, well described portable FAIR workflows, as well as data products, tool parameters and versions. We will advocate broadening the use and promotion of FAIR Ecology standards within the IN and the broader community.

Develop “small scale” pilot initiatives for high demand applications (killer Apps)

In addition to these higher-level objectives, which contribute to existing international initiatives, tools and solutions, some tasks for this IN will be oriented towards very specific “niche” domains with a high take-up potential. One example; knowledge based descriptive data management and interactive identification: Xper3 (http://www.xper3.fr/), enables publishing and collaborative editing of specimen and taxon descriptions but will evolve to become compliant with the FAIR principles. We aim to make the connexion between Xper3 / Recolnat and Ontologies to standardize morphological data for specimens of the French Natural History Museum collections.