ABSTRACT
342Ecological data are inherently complex, covering a diverse range of context-dependent concepts that create challenges for secondary users both in terms of interpretation and integration. Interpretation is particularly challenging when different collection protocols, measurement standards and classification systems are in use, and in many cases are not described in enough detail to be reproducible. Integration can also be challenging because many data collection activities are small scale and rely on bespoke data management practices. Furthermore, the multitude of different ways that ecological system observations are made leads to difficulties with aligning similar but not synonymous concepts, a challenge further exacerbated by the lack of sufficient context.
The Advanced Ecological Knowledge and Observation System (ÆKOS) utilizes a flexible knowledge representation approach, which allows us to integrate data into a common information model. All ecological data are stored and exposed to users at a site level allowing them to interact directly with the data. This is different from most other repositories that employ a data set storage and metadata search paradigm, whereby the data remain essentially opaque to the user until downloaded.
ÆKOS also places significant emphasis on the provision of detailed contextual information to foster reproducibility. In particular, information about sampling design, data collection, measurement protocols and classification systems employed are all provided to enable researchers to interpret the underlying data and make an informed assessment of the potential utility and appropriateness of the data.
Although only recently developed, the value of the approach ÆKOS uses is being recognized as a leading global platform for supporting excellent science, reproducible reuse and scientific reward. The system is available online at https://www.aekos.org.au.
