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Digital Extended Specimens: Enabling an Extensible Network of Biodiversity Data Records as Integrated Digital Objects
Alex R Hardisty1, Elizabeth R Ellwood2, Gil Nelson2
1Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom.
Bioscience
|October 5, 2022
Summary
This study introduces the Digital Extended Specimen (DES) network, a novel system for integrating fragmented biodiversity data. The DES network aims to streamline research by connecting disparate digital collections and enabling interdisciplinary discovery.
Area of Science:
- Biodiversity sciences
- Digital data
- Ecological, environmental, climatological, and biological collections data
Background:
- Massive expansion of digital data in biodiversity sciences.
- Digitization efforts have resulted in disconnected, siloed data.
- Researchers face challenges in finding, connecting, and integrating these data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose a new interconnected network of digital objects on the Internet.
- To transcend existing aggregator technology.
- To provide a platform for more efficient research and interdisciplinary discovery.
Main Methods:
- Proposing the Digital Extended Specimen (DES) network.
- Augmenting the DES with third-party data through machine algorithms.
- Creating an interconnected network of digital objects.
Main Results:
- A proposed network that transcends existing aggregator technology.
- A platform for augmenting data with third-party information.
- Facilitation of more efficient research and robust interdisciplinary discovery.
Conclusions:
- The Digital Extended Specimen (DES) network offers a solution to fragmented biodiversity data.
- This network enhances data integration and interoperability.
- It promises to improve efficiency and foster new discoveries in biodiversity research.
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