SEA-SEARCH = European Directory of the Ocean-observing system

Currently, the CDI metadatabase contains more than 311.000 individual data entries from 29 CDI partners from 26 countries across Europe, covering a broad scope and range of data, held by these organisations. In the coming months additional data centres fr om the SeaDataNet network will further populate the CDI and other institutes in their countries will be encouraged to participate.

Common Data Index – CDI

The Common Data Index (CDI) was initiated in the Sea-Search project. As part of SeaDataNet it is being further developed and extended in data coverage to all SeaDataNet data centres. Its primary objective is to give users a highly detailed insight in the availability and geographical spread of marine data across the different data centres and institutes across Europe. The CDI provides an index (metadatabase) to individual data sets. Furthermore it paves the way to direct online data access or direct online requests for data access or file downloads.

Maintenance of CDI and formats

For purposes of standardisation and international exchange the ISO19115 metadata standard has been adopted. The CDI format is defined as a dedicated subset of this standard and ISO compliant. A CDI XML format supports the exchange between CDI-partners and the central CDI manager, and ensures interoperability with other systems and networks. CDI XML entries are generated by participating data centres (i.e. CDI-partners), directly from their databases. CDI-partners can make use of a dedicated Java Tool to generate CDI XML files automatically, following a properties file, which defines the mapping between CDI-format and partner’s database fields and the required local queries. CDI updates are produced and transferred at regular intervals. Full documentation on the CDI format, Java Tool and supporting lists can be found at: http://www.sea-search.net/cdi_documentation

Querying CDI

The CDI metadirectory can be queried and entries can be viewed by users. A versatile user interface, combining alphanumeric search criteria with a dynamic mapping tool, is available for users to specify their query requirements. The resulting entries, matching the query, are presented in a dynamic map and a browse list. This list allows for sorting on a number of key fields. Additional details per entry can be viewed by clicking on a Show button or by clicking on items on the map. The viewer includes a full screen presentation of each CDI entry. The names of the organisations involved are listed with hyperlinks, which provide the full address and profile description of the specific organisation. A special section of the CDI presentation lists details on the access and availability of the data set. This can be a web-link for direct access with or without registration at the partner’s website, or for entering the catalogue / web-shop of the partner for ordering of the data sets. It might also list an e-mail contact in the case of offline access.

Central Organisations database – EDMO

The CDI metadirectory is maintained together with the European Directory of Marine Environmental Data (EDMED), the Cruise Summary Report (CSR) database, the European Directory of the Ocean-observing System (EDIOS) and the European Directory of Marine Environmental Research Projects (EDMERP) metadirectory. Each of these includes relations to organisations. A Central Organisations database has been set-up to streamline and to manage these addresses and organisation profiles efficiently and in a consistent way. This is kept up-to-date by the NODCs of the Sea-Search – SeaDataNet network, using an online Content Management System. This European Directory of Marine Organisations – EDMO already lists more than 1.000 Research Institutes, Data Holding Centres, Monitoring Agencies, Governmental and private organisations, that are in one way or another engaged in oceanographic and marine research activities and/or data & information management or support services.