Large scale comparisons and databases MarBEF: lessons learned from data integration
Vanden Berghe, E. (2006). Large scale comparisons and databases MarBEF: lessons learned from data integration, in: Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning EU Network of Excellence: General Assembly - Science Meeting Lecce (Italy) 9-11 May 2006: Book of Abstracts. pp. 3
In: (2006). Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning EU Network of Excellence: General Assembly - Science Meeting Lecce (Italy) 9-11 May 2006: Book of Abstracts. University of Lecce: Italy. 22 pp., more
Integration is the key issue in the MarBEF network. One of the important integrating activities is the development of databases, containing data and information on taxonomy and biogeography from a large number of partners. One of the datasets under development focuses on soft-bottom macrobenthos. A total of over 450,000 distribution records, from 42 different sources, were brought together in a single access database. Integrating data from different sources brought to light several issues. Lack of proper data management procedures with several of the partners made integrating those data a labour-intensive exercise. Lack of standards in sampling methodology made strict comparison differences in interpretation of taxonomy, differences in identifications, and numerous spelling variations would, if not corrected for, have lead to a serious overestimation of marine biodiversity.
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