Specific requirements for publishing freshwater data (freshwater amendments)

[CecSve]

Feedback for: https://docs.gbif-uat.org/freshwater-data-publishing-guide/en/#table-07

Please be aware that both sex (this version is to be implemented this year and is slightly different from the current version) and lifeStage (in use, needs to be updated and inputs are welcome from the freshwater community for concept additions!) is interpreted by controlled vocabularies in GBIF.

[ManonGros]

Additional feedback: as far as I am aware all the measurement-related data cannot be shared in an event core file but rather in one of the measurementsOrFacts extensions available: https://rs.gbif.org/extension/measurements_or_facts_2024-02-19.xml or https://rs.gbif.org/extension/measurements_or_facts_2024-02-19.xml

[dschigel]

The discussions with the authors and the focus has been put on the terms and their correct use, less so on the cores, stars, extensions and other GBIF-specific data packaging peculiarities, which, as we know, will change. At the same time, not addressing data packing at all will make the guide not useable practically for data publishing (criticism we got for the DNA guide). Perhaps a practical solution is to have a hard (slowly changing or not changing at all) part with terms and advice on their use (agnostic of packaging), and soft part with practical advice on data publishing today (and standing ready to re-write this soft part fast). That last part can be outside the freshwater guide altogether (but linked), as long as basic data publishing guidelines are satisfactory.

[jenlento]

We have updated sex based on the existing controlled vocabulary to include indeterminate, as that will be a useful term for freshwater. Lifestage was edited as per an earlier comment.

As far as where fields such as measurements should go, that is something that we must leave to GBIF to decide. The purpose of Table 7 is to indicate the information that should be provided for freshwater to maximize the utility of the data. The particulars of where those fields should go in GBIF is outside of our expertise and we look to you for guidance on what will work with the GBIF system. Would the measurement extension not be part of the event data? Our understanding is that occurrence dataset is for the biotic part of the observation while the event data provides the supporting information, including methods and environmental measurements. We are not clear on what, if any, changes are necessary to the text.

[jenlento]

Leaving open for feedback

[ManonGros]

Decision: change event to Extended Measurements or Facts extension: https://rs.gbif.org/extension/obis/extended_measurement_or_fact_2023-08-28.xml

[CecSve]

Decision: @CecSve to go through required list and check with EML

[jenlento]

We have updated the text and tables to now recommend fields in existing extensions. In addition, we have reframed section 3.1 and 3.1.1 to no longer talk about a proposed freshwater extension. Instead, this section speaks to the shortcomings of currently existing fields and indicates where we'd like to see new dedicated fields that could address these shortcomings.