Collaborative Research: GEO OSE Track 1: Community-driven enhancement of information ecosystems for the discovery and use of paleontological specimen data

通过全球生物多样性信息设施（GBIF）等在线门户网站，可以公开获取超过1000万份化石标本记录。然而，研究人员目前无法实现这些数据的全部潜力，因为由于门户的生物聚焦性质，它们很难找到和使用。该项目旨在：(1)利用古数据工作组（pddg）长达十年的领导地位，将现有的开放科学网络基础设施资源连接到一个网络中，从而更好地整合化石和生物收集的数据；(2)使以馆藏为基础的数字化古生物研究数据的获取民主化；(3)扩展PDWG成功的实践社区模式，进一步建立改进和动员化石收集数据的能力。古生物学处于地球科学和生物科学的交叉点，是一个具有影响力的跨学科研究领域，它有可能为更好地理解当前与快速变化的全球气候条件有关的生物多样性危机做出重大贡献。该项目将通过推动开放数据领域的发展，提高数百万化石标本记录的可发现性和使用程度，支持这些领域的转型和转化研究。它将通过与古生物收藏和研究用户社区合作，与网络基础设施合作伙伴合作，针对与分类学和地层学相关的已知网络基础设施差距，评估现有的技术前景。这些努力最终将导致制定路线图，以建立一个增强的FAIR网络和可通过可信数字存储库访问的研究就绪数据（“旧石器路线图”）。该项目的目标将通过以社区为基础的方法来实现，该方法以人类在开放科学网络基础设施中的作用为中心。不同利益相关者群体的参与——从小型收藏者到早期职业人士——对古路线图项目和发展的所有部分都至关重要。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

Over 10 million fossil specimen records are publicly available via online portals, such as GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility). However, researchers are currently unable to realize the full potential of these data because they are difficult to find and use due to the bio-focused nature of the portals. This project aims to: (1) leverage the Paleo Data Working Group's (PDWG) decade-long leadership to connect existing open science cyberinfrastructure resources in a network that will better integrate data from fossil and biological collections; (2) democratize access to collections-based, digitized paleontological data for research; and (3) expand PDWG's successful community-of-practice model to further build capacity for improving and mobilizing data from fossil collections. Paleontology, situated at the intersection of geo- and bioscience, is an inherently interdisciplinary field with impactful research that has the potential to significantly contribute to better understanding the current biodiversity crisis in relation to rapidly changing global climatic conditions. This project will support transformational and translational research in these fields by driving development in the open data landscape, and improving discoverability and use of millions of fossil specimen records. It will target known cyberinfrastructure gaps related to taxonomy and stratigraphy by engaging with the paleontological collections and research user communities, in collaboration with cyberinfrastructure partners, to evaluate the existing technical landscape. These efforts will ultimately lead to the development of a roadmap for establishing an enhanced network of FAIR and research-ready data accessible via TRUSTed digital repositories (the “Paleo Roadmap”). The project goals will be accomplished through a community-based approach that centers the role of humans in open science cyberinfrastructure. Engagement of a diverse group of stakeholders - ranging from small collections to early career individuals - is central to all parts of the project and development of the Paleo Roadmap.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.