Last modified: 2011-10-11
Abstract
Vocabularies and ontologies are types of Knowledge Organisation System (KOS) that range from simple glossaries and dictionaries through classification schemes, taxonomies, thesauri and ontologies [1]. As such, they are an essential foundation for data interoperability within the biodiversity informatics domain. Recent TDWG conferences have acknowledged the need to adopt principles and best practices for developing ontologies and to draw, wherever possible, on available community resources [2]. GBIF also recognises this need by including KOS related activities in the GBIF Strategic Plan 2012-2016 [3] and in its ongoing work programmes. Key activities to date have been the establishment of the prototype GBIF Vocabularies Service [4] and the publication of a white paper Recommendations for the use of Knowledge Organisation Systems by GBIF [5].
The focus of this symposium is on identifying key actors and activities that will enable TDWG, GBIF and related communities of practice to develop a road map on how to engage all players in creating a global infrastructure for the development, maintenance and governance of such vocabularies (the term “vocabularies” is used here in a generic sense to represent the various types of KOS). Several brief presentations will set the background for our discussions. After introducing the broader GBIF context, the recommendations of the GBIF KOS task group and their uptake in the GBIF work programme will be outlined. Two systems for managing vocabularies and ontologies will then be introduced – the GBIF Vocabularies Service [4] and the BioPortal [6]. This will be followed by a summary of the history, management and plans for the TDWG vocabularies which form the foundation for KOS in biodiversity informatics, and conclude with an account of experiences in managing the Darwin Core as an example of a widely used set of terms under active discussion in the community.
URLs: [1] http://www.clir.org/pubs/reports/pub91/contents.html
[2] http://imsgbif.gbif.org/CMS/DMS_.php?ID=1057
[3] http://links.gbif.org/sp2012_2016.pdf
[4] http://vocabularies.gbif.org