Speaker
Description
The growing demand for discoverable and accessible research data and metadata, driven by FAIR principles and user requirements for data portals, repositories, and search engines, has led to an increasing popularity of interactive, particularly map-based, data exploration. However, aligning technical realities with custom user visions in the design of sustainable services for interactive map viewers remains challenging.
To overcome these challenges, the O2A Spatial framework has been developed, enabling rapid and low-effort deployment and configuration of classic Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) components such as storage, databases, geo web servers, and catalogues. Additionally, it facilitates the creation and curation of data products compiled from diverse sources, including the PANGAEA repository, the Observations to Analysis and Archives (O2A) pipeline, Sensor Observation Services, and data provided by scientists directly. Hence, simple metadata harmonisation is offered.
Publicly available Standard Operating Procedures and data exchange specifications guide scientists and institutions in providing their data products as standard-compliant OGC web services, further contributing to their FAIR status.
This modular, scalable, and highly automated SDI has been developed and operated at the Alfred Wegener Institute for over a decade, continuously improving and providing map services for GIS clients and portals, including the Marine Data and Earth Data Portals. Long-term maintainability is ensured through the use of common open-source technologies, established geodata standards, containerization, and extensive automation. The modularity of O2A Spatial and SDI components ensures flexibility and future expandability. Embedded within O2A, development and operation are financially and staff-wise secured in the long term.