1. Dimitris Koureas, Vince Smith & Simon Rycroft Natural History Museum London Linking data, services and communities using Virtual Research Environments (VRE) The Scratchpads example Jönköping, Sweden October 27-31, 2014

2. The problem Capturing and integrating biodiversity data

3. Challenge 1: Capturing and mobilising data at all scales The challenges

4. Challenge 2: Linking & aggregating data at different scales National Efforts c.5M (e.g. NHM Data Portal) Communities c.50k (e.g. Scratchpads) Global Efforts c.500M (e.g. GBIF Data Portal) The challenges

5. Challenge 3: Synthesising data, e.g. modelling human pressures on biodiversity 2M records, 19k sites, 34k spp. Management Practices EcosystemsAgro-systems Small aggregated datasets Species richness in different ecosystems Land-use change Pollution Invasive species Infrastructure Models to predict how biodiversity responds to human pressures The challenges

6. Nature 2013, doi:10.1038/493295a BIH 2013 White paper Broad consensus in the Biodiversity Informatics community GBIO report What is the long-term vision? The vision

7. Inaccessible | native format/private silos Disconnected | not aggregated or discoverable Redundant | overlapping efforts no coordination Cluttered | small and dispersed datasets 20% 80% The long tail of Biodiversity data Typically produced by small communities Dark or Grey shaded data

8. Empower long-tail researchers to make use of the available e-infrastructures and services We need to change the modus operandi of doing Science

9. Sit on the top of e-infrastructures Abstract from available services Lower the entry barrier VREs derived from VLEs Positioning of VREs

10. Scratchpads Virtual Research Environments 150,000 taxa 580 Communities 6,400 active users More than 2,500,000 visitors

11. Data Curation and linking Data Curation and linking Data publishing Data publishing Data mobilisation & generation Data mobilisation & generation Data analysis Data analysis Empower users to engage Simplify access to tools & services Incentivise use through data publication

12. A Scratchpad is a gateway to big data contributed data External data & services TCS XML xls csv DwC-A XML xls csv xls csv SDD

13. Taxa (Classifications, taxon profiles, specimens, literature, images, maps, phenotypic, genotypic & morphometric datasets, keys, phylogenies) Conservation ProjectsRegionsSocieties

14. Leverage effort and data impact A highly dynamic but fragmented landscape Specific configurations for particular domains or systems serving very generic functions

15. What we want to do? Develop the highly responsive digital framework required to enable high throughput research and support science of scale towards the long term vision of modelling Life on Earth Inspired by Roadmap publications GBIO & White paper Supported by Maturity of available e-infrastructures Mandated by European & global Societal challenges

16. Horizon 2020 VRE Proposal Topic: EINFRA-9-2015 Virtual Research Environments Estimated Budget: c. € 8 m Consortium: c. 25 partners LinkD Linking data, services and communities for predictive modelling of the biosphere

17. What we want to do? LinkD Science of Scale Life on Earth for

18. How are we going to do it? Build on top of existing e-infrastructures Learn from previous experiences Prioritise operation over demonstration and proof-of-concept Engage with multi-disciplinary research & citizen science communities Develop and execute a comprehensive training programme

19. Proposed project structure

20. Improving uptake of cyberinfrastructures Confidence Commitment Longevity Agility Adaptability User monitoring Marketing Visibility Intuitive interface

21. Thank you @dimitriskoureas d.koureas@nhm.ac.uk