Methodological principles to create a metadata extension to the Darwin Core standard for agrobiodiversity data

Abstract

This research aims to propose principles to creating a metadata extension to the Darwin Core standard that addresses the agrobiodiversity data, with a thematic scope on ecological interactions. These principles have been compiled from the scientific literature, giving special attention to recommendations of the DCMI Abstract Model, which outlines the principles for creating metadata. The DCMI Abstract Model governs the creation of the Dublin Core metadata standard upon which Darwin Core is based. The requirements of ISO/IEC 11179-4/2004 standard for the definition of metadata were also taken into consideration. The research is in progress, so what is exposed in this article are preliminary results. A prototype of a metadata record for the field of ecological interactions, which is the scope of research within agrobiodiversity, was created to demonstrate the format that metadata will have when the extension is finalized. This research represents an initial effort to propose more effective tools for agrobiodiversity data management, but it is necessary to mature and deepen the discussions around the conceptual aspects of the ecological interactions in agrobiodiversity and the relationship of the new metadata extension with the term set of the Darwin Core, as well a robust methodology to create DwC extensions is still pending of being developed.