Design, development, and implementation of IsoBank: A centralized repository for isotopic data.
Oliver N Shipley1,2, Anna J Dabrowski3, Gabriel J Bowen4
1Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States of America.
Plos One
|September 6, 2024
Summary
IsoBank is a new open-access repository for stable isotope data, launched in 2021. This community-driven initiative aims to improve data accessibility and foster interdisciplinary collaboration in stable isotope research.
Area of Science:
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Geochemistry
- Ecology
Background:
- Stable isotope data are crucial across physical and natural sciences.
- Exponential growth in data generation necessitates better accessibility and collaboration.
- Existing data are fragmented, hindering interdisciplinary research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce IsoBank, an open-access repository for stable isotope data.
- To provide a web-accessible database for interdisciplinary research and education.
- To outline the design, development, and implementation of IsoBank.
Main Methods:
- Community-driven initiative involving over 40 experts (scientists, database managers, developers).
- Collaborative design of a web-accessible database.
- Focus on a core metadata structure for standardization.
Main Results:
- IsoBank (www.isobank.org) was launched online in 2021.
- The database supports interdisciplinary stable isotope research.
- A standardized metadata structure has been developed.
Conclusions:
- IsoBank facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration by providing accessible data resources.
- Standardized metadata reporting across eco-geoinformatics landscapes is a key outcome.
- Future development will enhance database functionality and community engagement.
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