Marine biological data: quality control and management practices, WP5, D5.4. Version 4.0.

Abstract

In JERICO-NEXT, a major effort is initiated towards a stronger integration of biological information as part of the observing networks. These objectives will be realized through the integration of mature technologies and the development of emerging technologies capable of delivering operational biological data. During the recent years, large marine biological data systems have been created to store, archive and integrate traditional marine biological data. In the framework of JERICO-NEXT an operational link will be created with EMODnet biology, the biological component of the European Marine Observation and Data Network and OBIS, the Ocean Biogeographic Information System. This will facilitate the data exchange between the coastal observatories and the existing marine biological data networks and hereby maximize access to marine biological data for any type of user on a marine basin-or-region-wide basis. Integration of data involves the implementation of data quality control steps. Evaluating and documenting data quality is since many years standard practice in disciplines like medicine and genetics, however only the last years similar effort is being done for biologic al data, more particular for biodiversity data. This report is part of the JERICO-NEXT WP5 on data management. The first objective is the description of the general biological data management practices. This aims at providing procedures and methodologies to enable data collected through the project to comply with the international standards regarding their quality and metadata. The second objective is to focus on the details of biological data quality control. This report is seen as a living document that can be amended during the course of the project to incorporate progressive insights or in light of specific emerging needs.