Towards a shared scientific observation model

Abstract

Advances in environmental science increasingly depend on information from multiple disciplines to tackle broader and more complex questions about the natural world. Such advances, however, are hindered by data heterogeneity, which impedes the ability of researchers to discover, interpret, and integrate relevant data that have been collected by others. The SONet Scientific Observations Network is multi-disciplinary, community-driven effort aimed at advancing integration of observational data funded through the NSF Interop Program. A recent SONet workshop discussed use cases related to interoperability challenges in Ecology, Oceanography, Geospatial Sciences and Life Sciences, as well as observation models in various domains. The on going work of SONet and the results of the workshop will be presented.