Developing a New Infrastructure for Dynamic Access to Multi-institutional Biodiversity Data

Natureserve, Arlington VA

Investigators

Abstract

0345400 Stein NatureServe has been awarded a grant to provide an informatics infrastructure for facilitating dynamic combined access to large amounts of biodiversity data from its member state Heritage Programs and other sources. The project will create an enabling database technology framework that uses XML and web services to promote and enable open access to data from the NatureServe network's 75 member institutions. It will also promote interoperability and advanced data standards and best practices in the biodiversity data community. The technology will facilitate data sharing between the providers and other major community efforts such as the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) and allow much better access, to distributed spatial informatics and data integration services. The project will also enhance NatureServe's already significant facilitation of biodiversity awareness and education in the K-12 community. It will build capacity in historically underserved jurisdictions such as the Navajo Nation and Puerto Rico in addition to significantly enabling conservation and environmental management and research on a national scale.