IUFRO International Union of Forest Research Organizations Eero Mikkola Results of WP2 – Report Introduction to the work of WP2: Metadata, Keywords and Guidelines NEFIS WP5 Meeting November, 2005 Hamburg, Germany

Introduction to the work of WP2 This work package has addressed the development of two elements: metadata and controlled vocabularies The task of WP2, was to establish a NEFIS metadata standard based on DCs 16 elements and accompanying refinements and develop a controlled vocabulary to facilitate the cataloguing and accessing of NEFIS metadata records and underlying datasets.

Introduction to the work of WP2 IUFRO compiled responses from the 12 partners engaged in the WP2 regarding terminology used and needed and their thoughts on the preferred metadata schema. Instructions for submitting ideas on NEFIS metadata requirements (e.g. desired fields) were sent to WP2 partners.

Introduction to the work of WP An iterative process of information compilation, publication of draft vocabulary and metadata schema, open review through electronic media, and final refinements, has lead to the draft vocabulary and metadata schema It was discovered during the input process that partners had different needs, understandings, and interpretations of metadata.

Introduction to the work of WP2 Recommended additional fields A wide discussion took place regarding the addition of selected elements for the NEFIS metadata schema. In particular, participants expressed an interest in adding a field for quantifying the quality of the information product they would be posting to the NEFIS. Quality Report: The idea of including a field that allows data providers to indicate, and users to assess, the quality of a submitted information product has been carried over from the EFIS project.

Introduction to the work of WP2 Recommended additional fields Nominated Terms: In addition to testing a quality report metadata field it was determined that NEFIS data providers should have an avenue to submit terms not found in the NEFIS controlled vocabulary. A refinement under the element Subject was added to accommodate this possible need.

Introduction to the work of WP2 NEFIS Vocabulary The first step in developing the NEFIS vocabulary was to request input on draft themes from the 13 WP2 participating organizations. After deciding on the initial NEFIS themes, example hierarchical keyword lists were developed for selected themes for which partners would provide data sets The development was based on three existing recognized vocabularies (CABI thesaurus, AgroVoc, NAL).

Introduction to the work of WP2 NEFIS Vocabulary The presented tables provide an overview of approaches and an entry point to solutions. Keyword lists for five themes: Inventory, Silviculture, Forest products and trade flows, Forest maps and geo-referenced data and Field experiments Draft keyword lists for six themes: Health, Vegetation (or forest or land) types (inc. soil types), Non-wood goods and benefits,Operations Fire and Rural development

Introduction to the work of WP2 NEFIS Vocabulary Creating a complete controlled vocabulary (CV) of terms in the forestry domain within the timeframe of this project is not technically or economically feasible. The approach taken in WP2 illustrates the processes that need to be undertaken to construct a forestry CV (Thesaurus?) which is appropriate for NEFIS in the longer term.

Introduction to the work of WP2 NEFIS Metadata Guidelines Describe how to catalogue and describe resources for NEFIS. Describe the essential requirements of each element of the data entry interface and provides the structure into which data from converted catalogues must fit as well as the element specifications. The manual is organized by DC element.

Introduction to the work of WP2 NEFIS Metadata Guidelines Based on DC 16 NEFIS elements which are required to submit metadata into the NEFIS system. Ten mandatory elements: Title, Creator, Subject, Description, Publisher, Date, Type, Format, Language and Rights Optional (desirable) elements: Contributor, Identifier, Source, Relation, Coverage and Audience

Introduction to the work of WP2 NEFIS Metadata Guidelines Each NEFIS element is by its full name and label For each element there are guidelines to assist in creating metadata content, whether it is done from scratch or by converting an existing record in another format. In the NEFIS Metadata Guidelines the elements are listed in the order they were developed, but there are other useful ways to group them.

Introduction to the work of WP2 NEFIS Metadata Guidelines Title* Term Name: title Label: Title Refinements: Alternative Definition: A name given to the resource [by the Creator or Publisher]. Comment: Typically, a Title will be a name by which the resource is formally known. Guidelines for creation of content: If in doubt about what constitutes the title, repeat the Title element and include the variants in second and subsequent Title entries. If the item is in HTML,,,, Examples: title="A pilot's guide to aircraft insurance" title="The sound of music"

Self interest or money! Thank you for your attention! NEFIS WP5 Meeting November, 2005 Hamburg, Germany