Marine Biodiversity Networking Friday: Standardizing Data Interpretation to Improve Data Interoperability with CMECS
On March 14th, 2024, from 1:00 to 2:00 PM UTC+0, we will have a special session with Kate Rose focusing on the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) project. The CMECS provides a common language and data classification framework that enables consistent and comprehensive ecological characterizations across a complete continuum of the aquatic system, from coastal zones to the depths of the oceans. This approach can be universally applied to all types of data and has been used for over a decade by individual projects and programs in the United States to meet a variety of objectives. This standardization leads to greater accuracy in data discovery in databases and repositories, efficiencies in data analysis and synthesis for large datasets and machine-learning applications, and facilitates inter-disciplinary research. Ultimately, the utility of CMECS is the framework’s ability to facilitate a broader understanding of aquatic ecosystems which can inform research and resource management.
As a Marine Life 2030-affilited project, CMECS aims to support the UN Decade for Ocean Science Objective 2: Build capacity and generate comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the ocean including human interactions, and interactions with the atmosphere, cryosphere, and the land sea interface. We are therefore 1. transforming CMECS from its legacy formats into a FAIR digital resource, incorporating recommendations from the Ocean Data 2030 Programme to enable discovery and machine-actionability; 2. developing outreach and implementation guidance products to increase awareness and use; and 3. exploring comparisons and integrations with other projects such as OBIS 2030 and the IUCN Global Ecosystem Typology. These actions will facilitate the integration CMECS-classified data and products with those of other nations and regions in a global common framework.
Speakers
Kate Rose
Senior Research Associate, Northern Gulf Institute at Mississippi State University, Stennis Space Center, USA
Kate Rose is currently coordinating the review and update of the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) which has been endorsed as an Ocean Decade Project attached to the Marine Life 2030 Programme. She has worked on various projects for over 12 years to support habitat assessment and restoration efforts in the Gulf of Mexico, including collaborations with data partners from federal and non-federal agencies and institutions to develop geospatial content, metadata and web-based outreach products, and collecting and analyzing geophysical, bathymetric and LIDAR data, and remotely-sensed imagery to map coastal and marine habitats. Kate completed a B.S. in General Studies and a Masters in Earth and Environmental Studies from the University of New Orleans, where she studied coastal geology and geomorphology and investigated the mechanisms of barrier island evolution in the Gulf of Mexico. Currently, Kate is Senior Research Associate at the Northern Gulf Institute (Mississippi State University) – a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Cooperative Institute at the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI).
Moderator
Deirdre Brannigan
Engagement, Outreach, and Partnership Liaison at ProtectedSeas Navigator, USA
Deirdre supports the ProtectedSeas team by designing pathways for engagement and communications. She liaises with marine scientists, MPA practitioners, national & international policymakers, congressionals, and the conservation community who are interested in understanding ocean conservation regulations and assessing & evaluating protection metrics. Deirdre encourages broad usage of ProtectedSeas Navigator data to streamline and inform marine spatial planning and various other assessments.
We will continue with the Networking Fridays during the next months. More information about future sessions as well as presentations and videos from previous sessions can be found here. Please do not forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Twitter Hashtag: #netfridays. Expect some very exciting mornings, afternoons or evenings, depending on where you are…
If you need any additional information please send an email to Catarina Duarte.
