Thinking toward the future of hard coral data findability, interoperability, and reusability

NOAA Science Seminar Series

Title: Thinking toward the future of hard coral data findability, interoperability, and reusability

Presenter(s): Dr. Erica Towle, National Coral Reef Monitoring Program Program Manager, CRCP, Silver Spring, MD

Sponsor: NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program

Seminar Contact: Caroline Donovan, caroline.donovan@noaa.gov

Remote access: Adobe Connect 
1. To join the meeting: http://noaacsc.adobeconnect.com/coralscollab/
2. Click the microphone at the top of the screen to connect audio.

Accessibility: Live closed captioning will be provided.

Abstract: For the first time, a group of experts including coral scientists and data managers from across U.S. federal agencies and regional groups came together to better understand and seek to improve data collection, archiving, and interoperability for hard coral cover. The group made recommendations that seek to reconcile how coral cover is captured as an Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) core variable with how hard coral cover is captured as a Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) Essential Ocean Variable. The group also made several recommendations on data standardization (e.g., Darwin Core Standards) and asserts the need for greater coordination across U.S. federal agencies and regional groups. The ability to more easily facilitate re-use of data collected for disparate projects for a variety of management needs has national and global implications. For example, adopting these recommendations allows for more consistent reporting at broad geographic scales, which could facilitate a more accurate understanding of the status and trends of coral reef ecosystems. Furthermore, the recommendations are key to make data products that inform a multitude of coral-related administration priorities, such as strengthening natural infrastructure and mitigating and combating climate change. To implement these solutions, agencies and their leadership must make data interoperability a priority.

Bio:  Dr. Erica Towle (pronounced “Toll”) (she/her/hers) is a marine biologist who currently serves as the Program Manager for the internationally-recognized National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP). The NCRMP is a long-term, national-scale program to understand the status and trends in U.S. Pacific, Atlantic, Caribbean, and Gulf of Mexico states and territories with coral reefs. Towle is in charge of facilitating and maintaining internal and external collaborations within NOAA, other federal agencies, state/territorial agencies, non-governmental organizations, and academia; providing technical scientific expertise on all coral monitoring program decisions; budget planning and execution of all monitoring missions and program expenditures; maintaining data stewardship, quality assurance and control, reporting, and data archival; and representing the program at national and international meetings and conferences. Prior to leading the program, Towle was an advisor to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. Towle is the recipient of the NOAA Knauss Fellowship, and served as a Fellow in the U.S. Senate’s Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, Subcommittee for Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard. Towle earned her Ph.D. in Marine Biology and Fisheries from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, and her research has been featured in National Geographic and The Miami Herald. 

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(Erica Towle, NOS CRCP, Silver Spring, MD)
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