download as a pdf - Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing ...

Part III. Appendix 1: Metadata and Data DiscoveryAdditionally, the metadata framework must comprise a metadata access and representationmechanism that supports programmatic access to metadata. To support machine-to-machineinteroperability, distributed access to metadata must be as seamless as access to the data itself. Tofacilitate the use of distributed data sources, the metadata framework will provide transparent accessto all the metadata fields, including those required to operate on the data in a semanticallymeaningful way. These include, but are not limited to, the units, a controlled set of geophysicalparameters, horizontal and vertical datums, and others that allow remote applications to make useof the data. The ability to programmatically access metadata may have far-reaching implicationsin the evolution of observing systems such as IOOS. Coupled with a flexible, community-drivenmetadata framework and programmatic access, the metadata can provide the foundation to extendthe capabilities of existing distributed systems in a number of unique and powerful ways.METADATA STANDARDSAs mandated by an executive order, in the United States, each [Federal] agency shall document allnew geospatial data it collects or produces, either directly or indirectly, using the standard underdevelopment by the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC). The FGDC developed the ContentStandard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) that provides a common set of names anddefinitions of compound and data elements used to document digital geospatial data. Also, underthe CSDGM, individual data communities (Biological Data, Shoreline Data, etc.) have createdsupplemental standards for their various disciplines. Initially, IOOS will use the FGDC ContentStandard (FGDC-STD-001-1998), and any of the applicable supplemental profiles (i.e., the BiologicalData Profile, Shoreline Profile), as its standard for metadata. However, a review of the IOOScommunity (initially starting with the expert teams for this implementation plan and expanding todata providers and users) will be done at the earliest possible time in order to address the needs ofthe standard set for IOOS.The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has developed a standard for geospatialmetadata. This standard (ISO 19115) was formally accepted in May of 2003. It is anticipated thatthe next version (Version 3) of the FGDC CSDGM will be a form of the international standard.Acceptance of the new version of the FGDC CSDGM is expected in 2003, and acceptance will mandateFederal Agency implementation. A gradual transition from the FGDC CSDGM version 2 toversion 3 is expected, as well as a delay in conversion of existing metadata to the new standard. Thegreater metadata community (outside IOOS) is developing crosswalks between these metadatastandards. IOOS will remain compliant with the FGDC standard and will make the current standardavailable to participants.117