Cited by 87Research Data Management PracticesEnvironmental Monitoring and Data ManagementMarine animal studies overview

A standardisation framework for bio‐logging data to advance ecological research and conservation

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Sequeira, Ana M. M., O'Toole, Malcolm, Keates, Theresa R., McDonnell, Laura H., Braun, Camrin D., Hoenner, Xavier, Jaine, Fabrice R. A., Jonsen, Ian D. +34 more·2021·Methods in Ecology and Evolution

Abstract

Bio‐logging data obtained by tagging animals are key to addressing global conservation challenges. However, the many thousands of existing bio‐logging datasets are not easily discoverable, universally comparable, nor readily accessible through existing repositories and across platforms, slowing down ecological research and effective management. A set of universal standards is needed to ensure discoverability, interoperability and effective translation of bio‐logging data into research and management recommendations. We propose a standardisation framework adhering to existing data principles (FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable; and TRUST: Transparency, Responsibility, User focus, Sustainability and Technology) and involving the use of simple templates to create a data flow from manufacturers and researchers to compliant repositories, where automated procedures should be in place to prepare data availability into four standardised levels: (a) decoded raw data, (b) curated data, (c) interpolated data and (d) gridded data. Our framework allows for integration of simple tabular arrays (e.g. csv files) and creation of sharable and interoperable network Common Data Form (netCDF) files containing all the needed information for accuracy‐of‐use, rightful attribution (ensuring data providers keep ownership through the entire process) and data preservation security. We show the standardisation benefits for all stakeholders involved, and illustrate the application of our framework by focusing on marine animals and by providing examples of the workflow across all data levels, including filled templates and code to process data between levels, as well as templates to prepare netCDF files ready for sharing. Adoption of our framework will facilitate collection of Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) in support of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and inter‐governmental assessments (e.g. the World Ocean Assessment), and will provide a starting point for broader efforts to establish interoperable bio‐logging data formats across all fields in animal ecology.

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  • Adoption of FAIR and TRUST principles along with detailed protocol reporting and open workflows is increasingly viewed as the path forward.

    “Adoption of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and TRUST (Transparency, Responsibility, User focus, Sustainability, Technology) principles along with detailed protocol reporting and open workflows is increasingly viewed as the path forward (Oswald et al. 2022; Sequeira et al. 2021).”

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Authors
Sequeira, A. M. M., O'Toole, M., Keates, T. R., McDonnell, L. H., Braun, C. D., Hoenner, X., Jaine, F. R. A., Jonsen, I. D., Newman, P., Pye, J., Bograd, S. J., Hays, G. C., Hazen, E. L., Holland, M., Tsontos, V. M., Blight, C., Cagnacci, F., Davidson, S. C., Dettki, H., Duarte, C. M., Dunn, D. C., Eguíluz, V. M., Fedak, M., Gleiss, A. C., Hammerschlag, N., Hindell, M. A., Holland, K., Janekovic, I., McKinzie, M. K., Muelbert, M. M. C., Pattiaratchi, C., Rutz, C., Sims, D. W., Simmons, S. E., Townsend, B., Whoriskey, F., Woodward, B., Costa, D. P., Heupel, M. R., McMahon, C. R., Harcourt, R., & Weise, M.
Affiliations
  • The University of Western Australia (AU)
  • University of California, Santa Cruz (US)
  • University of Miami (US)
  • University of Washington (US)
  • CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere (AU)
  • Integrated Marine Observing System (AU)
  • Macquarie University (AU)
  • Atlas of Living Australia (AU)
  • Dalhousie University (CA)
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US)
  • Deakin University (AU)
  • Wildlife Computers (United States) (US)
  • Jet Propulsion Laboratory (US)
  • University of St Andrews (GB)
  • Fondazione Edmund Mach (IT)
  • University of Konstanz (DE)
  • Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SE)
  • King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (SA)
  • The University of Queensland (AU)
  • Instituto de Física Interdisciplinar y Sistemas Complejos IFISC (CSIC‐UIB) Palma de Mallorca Spain
  • Murdoch University (AU)
  • University of Tasmania (AU)
  • University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (US)
  • Oceans Graduate School and the UWA Oceans Institute The University of Western Australia Crawley WA Australia
  • Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom (GB)
  • Marine Mammal Commission (US)
  • Department of Biological Sciences Macquarie University Sydney NSW Australia
  • Office of Naval Research (US)
Corresponding author
Sequeira, Ana M. M.
Venue
Methods in Ecology and Evolution
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2021-04-01
Volume
12
Issue
6
Pages
996-1007
ISSN
2041-210X (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3138363439
Cited by
87
References
61
Citations by year
2026: 15 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 16 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 21 · 2021: 11
FWCI
13.57
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Methods in Ecology and Evolution (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Marine Biological Association (acceptedVersion)
  • Epsilon Open Archive (Sveriges lantbruksuniversitet biblioteket (Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences)) (acceptedVersion, other-oa)
  • KOPS (University of Konstanz) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • CINECA IRIS Institutional Research Information System (Fondazione Edmund Mach) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Murdoch University Research Portal (submittedVersion)
  • UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Open Access Server of the Woods Hole Scientific Community (Woods Hole Scientific Community) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • DIGITAL.CSIC (Spanish National Research Council (CSIC)) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • NOAA Institutional Repository (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • MPG.PuRe (Max Planck Society) (submittedVersion)
  • King Abdullah University of Science and Technology Repository (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) (submittedVersion)
  • St Andrews Research Repository (St Andrews Research Repository) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • Pew Charitable Trusts
  • Office of Naval Research Global (N00014‐19‐1‐2573)
  • Australian Research Council (DP210103091)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Information Systems › Research Data Management Practices
  • Physical Sciences › Earth and Planetary Sciences › Geology › Environmental Monitoring and Data Management
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Marine animal studies overview
Keywords
data standardization, FAIR principles, trust principle, data interoperability, data repositories, NetCDF, animal tracking, marine fauna, Essential Ocean Variables, Global Ocean Observing System, data curation, data sharing, conservation

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