This project aims to mobilize biodiversity data that has not yet been published in GBIF. Currently scattered across different universities, the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS), companies and NGOs, this data is is not easily accessible for use in research, conservation, and decision-making.
By mobilizing the data and making it available through GBIF, the project seeks to improve the availability and quality of biodiversity information for use by researchers, policy-makers, and the wider public.
The project will also provide training in data carpentry skills required for biodiversity data publication to individuals from different organizations. Participants will learn how to organize and format data, create metadata, and use the Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT) to publish data in GBIF.
Finally, the project will work on publishing data from a new collection management system called PLADIAS-SK, including developing new dataflows for publishing according to the Darwin Core (DwC) standard.
To measure the impact of the project, several indicators will be used. First, the number of new records mobilized and published in GBIF will be tracked, as well as the number of organizations that have contributed data. Second, the number of individuals trained in data carpentry and IPT use will be recorded, as well as the number of datasets published by these individuals.
Project progress
At midterm reporting the database of distribution data records PLADIAS-SK that will serve as a source of data for publishing was fully functional. It contained a test case of more than 5,000 distribution records of vascular plants from the area of Slovakia, which was also published to GBIF. The pipeline for import of data from the phytocoenological database TURBO(VEG) Slovakia into PLADIAS-SK was also established. This includes "cleaning of the data", which means the use of names accepted in the taxonomic backbone of PLADIAS-SK, checking the correctness of geographical coordinates, proper administrative units of the country, etc. For other activities and deliverables, the project team continues work towards their completion.
In May 2024 the project held its workshop ‘Unlocking Slovakias Biodiversity Through Data Publishing’ to train individuals in data carpentry skills required for biodiversity data publication, inc how to organize and format data, create metadata, and use the Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT) to publish data in GBIF.
