K. S. Baikov1, N. K. Kovtonyuk1, N. A. Kolchanov2 & A. M. Fedotov3
1 Central Siberian Botanical Garden SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia; kbaikov@mail.ru
2 Institute of Cytology and Genetics SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
3 Institute of Computational Technologies SB RAS, Novosibirsk, Russia
Hierarchical classifiers and an ontological approach are effective means for the handling of information resources. This approach is used to develop the portal on biodiversity placed on the server of the Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences as a modern expert system. The project goal is the development and optimization of a technology for registering, editing and searching information sources on the Internet as well as the construction of a new portal on biological diversity. A classification is developed as a directed graph of terms and concepts, optimally describing the structure of the themes. Two classifiers are created: the first is based on the methods of investigation and results presentation (for example, morphology, anatomy, plant geography, phytopathology, etc.). The second one includes the hierarchical taxonomy (types, classes, families and important genera). Each Internet resource (web-site, data base, digital library, and so on) is evaluated by experts, who improve the classifiers and links of resources to the classification. The information is tested automatically for duplication. Rich information sources, supported by the well-known scientific and education centres, are given preference. More than 1400 sources are estimated and classified. The best represented terms are “botanical gardens” (513 sites), herbarium collections (122), and botanical journals (91).
Investigations are supported by Siberian Branch of RAS (integrative grant number 145) and RFBR.