Experts Meeting on Implementation of a Global Invasive Species Information Network.
Proceedings of a Workshop. Baltimore, Maryland, USA. 6-8 April, 2004.
Page 3
8/30/2004
contributing databases are genus, species,
and publisher (source/ authority)
information. Additionally, family name was
highly recommended, to avoid ambiguity in
cases where multiple species share the
same scientific name. Six general database
types were defined, based on the
information that GISIN data providers might
serve (providers may serve more than one
type):
1.
fact sheet or species profile,
2.
experts/expertise,
3.
observation-based,
4.
specimen-based,
5.
bibliographic, and
6.
projects/research.
Eight possible data fields were suggested
for cross-referencing IAS database
searches: name, life form or higher
taxonomic unit (e.g. tree, mammal, bird
etc.), habitat, pathway, origin, and date for
that location. Highest priorities were
assigned for searches by name and place.
However, it was agreed the GISIN should
not require data providers to follow any one
particular standard, and thereby be as
inclusive as possible.
Capacity Building Working Group--Three
primary issues were identified as the
highest priorities for capacity building
among a list of 17 considered:
1.
Development of a simple interactive IAS
database with common minimum
standard fields, formats, and terms.
2.
Development and marketing of an
information start-up package and model
database for new IAS database
developers.
3.
Development of methods/actions for
addressing what is commonly known as
the digital divide – the gap that exists
between those with and without access
to digital technology.
In addition, in order to encourage
participation, it was suggested that the
GISIN–
Create an IAS database development
manual. (In such a manual, database
developers would likely be encouraged
to store data in small incremental data
fields rather than in one general data
field—a much more complicated
approach).
Distribute value-added products that
support individuals and organizations
addressing IAS issues.
Create tools such as IAS identification
guides and mapping applications.
Identify and/or endorse existing tools,
and support their distribution and access
through the network.
House a virtual library to facilitate access
to IAS literature.
GISIN marketing strategies discussed
included developing and distributing press
releases, surveys, and other promotional
and informational material through listservs
and embassies.
Aquatic Systems Working Group--
Participants in this working group
recognized the value of the existing
experiences and achievements in IAS
database development, such as the Non-
Indigenous Species Database (NISbase) an
Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based
distributed database system with an Internet
portal interface that allows five databases
on aquatic non-indigenous to be searched
simultaneously. The NISbase system has
succeeded by working with each individual
database to make it compatible with the
larger system, and is an example of a
distributed system with data exchange
between datasets that define a species as
invasive and datasets that do not (referring
only to non-native status). The GISIN will
facilitate the further development of
NISbase and other databases, as
practicable and appropriate.
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