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An explaination about ecoMundus
An overview of the ecoMundus initiative, how it works, implementation, benifits of to its users and for partners, and how to participate in the initiative
Background
The impacts of a growing world population on the global environment has increased the need to monitor and track environmental changes. Access to credible data and information is critical. The United Nations Environmental Programme(UNEP) is implementing a collaborative network of global, regional and national environmental organization that can share and exchange their assessments and scientific findings to support a variety of environmental interventions - ecoMundus("the world environment").
What is ecoMundus?
ecoMundus is a distributed network of trusted institutions around the world who operate and maintain environmental databases and information systems. By contributing to ecoMundus, these institutions have agreed to share and exchange the contents of their databases and information systems on the World Wide Web with the general public.
How does ecoMundus work?
ecoMundus is driven by Geonetwork Open source, a powerful, standards
based information management platform developed in partnership with FAO,
WFP, CGIAR and others. It allows free and open access to geospatial and
bibliographic content that resides on the Internet. Geonetwork Open
source allows systems to talk to each other using protocols like OAI-PMH, Z39.50 and web services.
What is ecoMundus' mission?
The purpose of ecoMundus is to create a search tool that integrates quality environmental information and data by establishing partnerships with various institutions and organizations. The result of this will be a reliable point of reference for environmental data and information.Why is it necessary (i.e. the niche)?
Each year sees countless disparate portals, information-rich online databases and websites developed on the internet. Some of these resources are still in active operation while others were established with rich content but are rarely updated. Recognizing that there are initiatives that produce data and information and a culture of publicizing or selling accomplishments using the internet will continue to exist.
Despite the growth of internet based information resources over the past decade, there is no easy way for a user to distinguish reliable and credible sources of knowledge on the internet from the vast collection of available sources.
ecoMundus leverages the advantages of leading institutions to put in place a single discovery mechanism that provides access to and filters, the wider array of emerging and already available scientific and technical data and information so that associated activities can share, contribute to and strengthen a common inventory of information and data resources.
What are the benefits of ecoMundus?
Increased use of available information- one point of access to the world's major repositories of environmental information.
Improved environmental decision making- reduce the time needed to gather information and provide more time to analyze and interpret it.
Improved information quality- UNEP will work with its contributors to assure quality metadata accuracy and to build capacity in the areas of information access, communications standards and protocol.
Reduced duplication of data collection efforts- identify similar data collection activities of other contributors that can lead to improved collaboration.
Identification of data gaps- users will be able to identify topical and geographic deficiencies in existing information programs.
Who are the partners?
ecoMundus is being implemented incrementally. To ensure ecoMundus grows to its fullest potential, its implementation will include partnerships with governments, non-governmental organizations and international, regional and national organizations. Partners will be identified and engaged in the initiative through:
- Partnership workshops at regional and international levels.
- Capacity building and training programmes.
- Research and referrals.
What are my benefits as a partner?
- Improving visibility of its partners.
- Management of a reliable utility for partners and users.
- Facilitating networking and collaboration among primary producers of environmental knowledge at global, regional and national levels.
- Promotion of innovative and interesting environmental applications and products produced by its partners.
- Providing delivery services that "push" specific content to its users through the use of web-services.
How to get involved.
Organizations with environmental data and information are encouraged to contribute to ecoMundus.
Step 3 - Linking to ecoMundus may includes capacity building workshops, virtual technical discussions, technical support and correspondence and other face-to face meetings.
Step 4- Periodic reviews will be carried out to ensure data and information accessed remains consistent in terms of value, quality and benefit.
For further information on ecoMundus, refer to the ecoMundus booklet or write to us.