The ABDS is the online, interoperable data management system for biodiversity data generated via the activities of CAFF, including its Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme (CBMP). The goal of ABDS is to facilitate access, integration, analysis and display of biodiversity information for scientists,practitioners, managers, policy makers and others working to understand, conserve and manage theArctic's wildlife and ecosystems.
The ABDS ensures that biodiversity data provided to CAFF are organized to guarantee a lasting legacy in a manner that facilitates data discovery; increased understanding; more informed andrapid decision-making; and ongoing research. Each time a new report or product is released by CAFF the datasets involved are archived and made accessible via the ABDS.
!The goal of the ABDS is to increase access to Arctic biodiversity data for the common good of scientists, policy makers and other stakeholders both inside and outside of the Arctic. It is intended to allow for discovery, archiving and access to data at various scales. Such a framework is essential to ensure effective, consistent, and long-term management of the data resulting from CAFF and its partners activities.
The ABDS is built using open source solutions designed to facilitate sharing of information i.e.The ABDS is built using open source solutions designed to facilitate sharing of information i.e.GeoServer; GeoNetwork, an Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT) and PHP maker to facilitate online data updates. Sitting atop a Postgre SQL PostGIS database5 this framework provides anweb interface to search geospatial data across multiple catalogues, combine distributed mapservices, publish geospatial data and schedule metadata harvesting from other catalogues.
Consolidating the vast amount of disaggregated data across all Arctic sub-regions and biomes will improve access to biodiversity status and trends information and promote a deeper understanding of inter-relationships at the local, regional, circumpolar and global scale. It will ensure that biodiversity data generated by CAFF are organised to guarantee a lasting legacy in a manner which facilitates:
- Data discovery and accessibility;
- Increased understanding;
- Informed and more rapid decision making;
- The widest possible exchange of relevant data;
- Ongoing research; and
- The visibility of the work of CAFF and its partners.
Key data management services include supporting network data management; assigning metadata; establishing interoperable links via the ABDS with relevant data portals; hosting relevant datasets that are not accessible elsewhere; rescuing datasets and working to ensure that appropriate standards are applied.