The Resource Discovery Initiative for Field Stations: Enhancing Data Management at North American Biological Field Stations

• Published in: Bioscience Vol. 59; no. 6; pp. 482 - 487
• Main Authors: Brunt, James W, Michener, William K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Circulation, AIBS, 1313 Dolley Madison Blvd., Suite 402, McLean, VA 22101. USA University of California Press 01.06.2009; American Institute of Biological Sciences; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Administrator Surveys; Archives & records; Bibliographies; Company systems management; Coordination; Data base management systems; Data management; Data registries; Database Management Systems; Datasets; ecology; Elementary Secondary Education; Environmental associations; Environmental impact; environmental monitoring; Environmental sciences; Field Stations; Geographic information systems; Human ecology; Informatics; Information accessibility; Information Management; Information Science; literature reviews; Long term ecological research; Management Systems; Metadata; Methods; Networks; NGOs; Nongovernmental organizations; Organization of Biological Field Stations; OVERVIEW ARTICLES; Polls & surveys; Quality Assurance; Quality Control; research coordination network; Science and Society; Services; Storage; United States government publications; Word Processing; Workshops; North America; Mexico; research coordination network; Organization of Biological Field Stations; databases; field stations; data management
• ISSN: 0006-3568; 1525-3244
• DOI: 10.1525/bio.2009.59.6.6

Biological field stations in North America have significant potential for addressing the most pressing environmental challenges facing science and society. Many of these field stations are now actively engaged in research networks and developing environmental observatory networks. The Resource Discovery Initiative for Field Stations (RDIFS) represents a research coordination network developed to enhance data management capacity and better position field stations for the critical role they are to play in addressing environmental challenges. The RDIFS developed information resources and training programs to facilitate storage, discovery, and access to data and information that are collectively held at North American biological field stations. In this article, we highlight the capabilities and needs of biological field stations, identify specific data management challenges faced by field stations, describe the products of the RDIFS effort, and provide insight into the future of data management at field stations, especially in relation to participation in environmental observatory networks.