EDIT WP5 Platform for Cybertaxonomy

This report presents the train of reflection on the execution of an inventory of descriptive knowledge bases and interactive keys as part of the EDIT Activity 5.6 Keys and descriptions. The main steps to get this inventory started and efficient are developed here and a proposition including a collaboration with the Key to Nature is provided.

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This report completes the component C5.081 (Use case model and functional description of CDM descriptive data editor) and provides an illustration of the essential functionalities expected from the future CDM descriptive interface. Functionalities that could be made available and how existing tools can be integrated in order to provide such functionalities, are presented through one of the EDIT exemplar group: the Arecaceae family. As in component C5.081, functionalities are divided into two major categories: edition of descriptive content and analysis/treatment of descriptive data.

This report provides a summary of a study led on taxonomic activities related with descriptive data as part of the EDIT Activity 5.6 Keys and descriptions. The report presents UML use-case model for handling descriptive data and detailed use case scenarios for major functionalities. The use case scenarios show necessary descriptive functionalities for the work of the taxonomist with descriptive data: some of these functionalities are already available in existing descriptive tools, while others will need to be integrated or implemented.

Relying on recent experience acquired through the use of the model for descriptive data in CDM v1, we reviewed the existing Java classes. We propose some improvements to ensure an optimal handling of data, as well as compatibility with existing descriptive standards and tools. This report provides a summary of the comments made on the first version of the CDM descriptive data model and propositions of evolutions for an improved management of descriptive data in the CDM.

To ensure full compatibility of the EDIT Platform with other initiatives, as well as to foment its use as a tool for data integration and access, it was decided to develop a CDM interface for descriptive data. It was decided to use a unique already-existing public standard exchange format for descriptive data: the TDWG-SDD XML schema. This choice was made in accordance with the recent efforts of the developers of several existing tools (DiversityDescriptions [“DeltaAccess”], Xper², Lucid, FRIDA) to allow interoperability with SDD.

Several existing tools allow the management of descriptive data, the construction of printable keys and the identification with free access keys. Their inventory and analysis were performed in a former step. Although none of the existing tools stands out against the others, several of them have an extensive user interface, are already adopted by biologists and were validated by numerous applications and taxonomic keys. These tools have hence proven their interest and their accessibility for taxonomists even if they have little or no previous computer experience. The European project KeytoNature, with which a collaboration is in progress, will also contribute to promote the interest in such systems and to distribute applications for multiple audiences.

To ensure the future compatibility of the platform with other initiatives in the world, it was decided to integrate the existing tools into the cybertaxonomy platform by using a unique already-existing public standard exchange format for descriptive data: the TDWG-SDD XML schema. This choice was made in accordance with the late efforts of several existing tools (DiversityDescriptions, Xper², Lucid, FRIDA) to allow interoperability with SDD.

The EDIT workshop that took place the
7th of February in Amsterdam and that followed a Key to Nature (K2N)
meeting (for more details see the news below entitled "EDIT
workshop report") was an opportunity to bring together
protagonists of EDIT and K2N. K2N is a project which main objective
is to enhance the knowledge of biodiversity at all educational levels
by providing common access to data and interactive educational tools
for the identification of organisms.  A collaboration between
EDIT and K2N has been considered and should first concern the

In order to compare the most objectively as possible some of the taxonomic tools selected in a previous component (C5.47), 2 knowledge bases, one in zoology and one in botany have been translated into 4 taxonomic programs: Delta-Intkey, Linnaeus, Lucid and Xper2. These bases are available here: For the Delta-Intkey felin knowledge base click here. For the Delta-Intkey pinus knowledge base click here. Just click on the .ink file to open the knowledge bases.

The current report summarizes the main facts of the WP5.6 workshop 5.48 from the 7th of February entitled "Workshop report on strategy for descriptive data tools as cross-cutting instrument for revisionary taxonomy".
Please download the report here