Spatial Data Standards (SDS) TDWG Subgroup

This new TDWG subgroup formed based on the shared perception of subgroup members that there is a need for a spatial data component within the overall framework of taxonomic data standards.

This group differs from the current Geography subgroup in that the current Geography subgroup is concerned very specifically with developing special TDWG codes for geographic areas. However, the main concern of the new group is the databasing and exchange and transformation of geographic data for species and specimens using well-established geographic coordinate systems (e.g., latitude/longitude) that exist within the wider geographic standards community.

The subgroup recognized that spatial data standards exist within the geographic community, but there is a need to appraise them for use within taxonomy. A major goal is to examine current best practices for implementation of existing geographic standards and to make recommendations for their use in taxonomic databases through TDWG. This and additional goals are listed below.

Participants:

Reed Beaman, elected as Convenor by voice vote

Richard Crawford

Patricia Koleff

Gerald Guala

Linda Hill

Sabine Roscher

Agenda

Development of web site

Stinger Guala will create a web site for real-time exhange of ideas.

Examine relationships between this and other geographic standards/groups

GML

OpenGIS

OpenGIS/GML gazetteer protocol (to be published shortly)

ADL Gazetteer data standard

Dimensionality - 2D, 3D, 2.5D

Conversions Tools

Discusion of Coordinate systems/projections/datums

and relationship to TDWG Geography subgroup

Custom Symbology

Standard symbolgy for cartographic features realating to taxonomy

Action: Sabine will develop these.

Metadata (catalogue record)

Examine best practices in existing standard and adopt these. Make best practice recommendations. What gaps exist and is there a need for extending these standards for taxonomic data.

FGDC, NBI profile of FGDC, ISO TC211

Precision, and measures of precision and accuracy

Examine access to distributed spatial databases and gazetteers,

Evaluate use of XML for these purposes