mjy
commented
1 year ago GAs are build completely algorithmically. Our algorithm for combing disparate datasets treats, as new entities, each unique acenstry in the originating data. We do not want to be in the business of curating the Earth's geopolitical areas, we want to be in the business of providing reasonable options that reference accurate spatial representations so that people can assert "My OTU/Specimen is in this spatial area". Once the spatial assertion is in place we can calculate name changes, etc. with GIS, not string matching.
We do not anticipate changing this pattern, there is a small learning curve, but curators have created hundreds of thousands of records in the present system. We do anticipate adding additional level two (county equivalent) areas to increase coverage. We do anticipate syncing with GADM if/when it shows signficant improvement (it is only recently getting new eyes on it).
Feature or enhancement
Can the numerous results for one country be consolidated in the GAL? For example Madagascar has 3 results. It is not clear why there are numerous results for one country or which one is correct or attached to CEs.
@bpescador, @chrisgrinter, @rich-keller
Location
Task - Geographic Area Lookup
Screenshot, napkin sketch of interface, or conceptual description
Your role
No response