Data

An interface for users

One of the goals of OZCAR-RI is the implementation of a unique portal allowing transparent access to metadata and data from all OZCAR-RI’s observatories according to the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data principles. The proposed architecture was defined after consultation with future users and local IT teams to arrive at a distributed architecture where search criteria included spatial extent, time window, geology, climate, data providers, funding institutions and variable names. This last criterion was highlighted by users as one of the most important to implement among all search criteria in the web interface. It was therefore necessary to inventory and harmonize the variable names which are classified according to a hierarchical vocabulary derived from the GCMD (Global Change Master Directory).

For interoperability purposes, this vocabulary has been published on the Web (https://in-situ.theia-land.fr/skosmos/theia_ozcar_thesaurus/en/) and links have been provided to ontologies relevant to the domain. Theia/OZCAR Information System will provide a variety of standardized services based on the richness of the information provided by the hub data model. This includes the standard metadata/data exchange protocols defined by the OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium): the CSW (Catalog Service for the Web), the SOS (Sensor Observation Service). The information will also provide data citation services with the ability to declare DOIs on datasets.

So far, 11 out of 21 observatories have implemented the pivot data model and a first web interface was put into production in 2019 and has been continuously improved since then thanks to user feedback. It is accessible with recent versions of Firefox and Google Chrome (https://in-situ.theia-land.fr/). A web cataloguing service has also been implemented, making datasets on the Theia/OZCAR portal visible on the eLTER-DIP portal (https://dip.lter-europe.net/#/) of eLTER RI.
The next steps include supporting all observatories in implementing the pivot data model, developing data exchange services (SensorThings) and providing users with the possibility to download data from the Theia/OZCAR portal in harmonised formats. The pivot data model will also be extended to all types of data, as only time series data have been processed so far.

An ANR project “FairTOIS” (Implementing FAIR principles for Theia/OZCAR in situ data information system), funded by the ANR FLASH (National Research Agency) call for tenders was accepted in July 2019. It started in March 2020 for a duration of two and a half years and provides part of the human and financial means necessary to finalise and put into production the Theia/OZCAR IS. The Data Management Plan of the Theia/OZCAR IS which can be consulted here https://cloud.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/index.php/s/rTnXRiLYzNmHWYa

More information on the Theia/OZCAR IS : https://www.theia-land.fr/product/donnees-in-situ/

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