About IDA

The Inventory, Discovery, Access (IDA) work area of the GBIF Informatics work programme encompasses the former Data Access and Database Interoperability (DADI) work area, with a new focus reflecting the distributed architecture proposed for the GBIF network, where an integrated system of metadata catalogues will enable users to discover and access data and services based on standardised interoperability mechanisms.

Central role of metadata

In meeting one of its core informatics challenges – that of designing a scalable, distributed architecture and implementing it according to best practices – GBIF must ensure that it adheres to international standards for data exchange formats and protocols to enable the maximum degree of interoperability across heterogeneous, distributed data holdings and applications. In addition, large distributed networks featuring numerous providers and consumers of data require that the key activities of inventory, discovery and access are well coordinated through provision of registries and metadata catalogues. IDA will drive the design of the GBIF metadata cataloguing system and its linkage to the Global Biodiversity Resources Discovery System (GBRDS), as well as inform developments across informatics through recommendations on appropriate standards.

The GBIF network must also expand to offer many types of web services for delivering data to users, and client applications that can use the data in novel and specialised ways that supplement the mapping/visualisation and ecological niche modelling applications already available.