Virtualizing Entomology Collection Student: Di Wang (Alan) Sponsors: John Marris: Curator, Entomology Research Museum Stuart Charters: Department of Applied.
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Virtualizing Entomology Collection
Student:Di Wang (Alan)
Sponsors: John Marris: Curator, Entomology Research Museum
Stuart Charters: Department of Applied Computing
What is entomology is the scientific study of insects. more than two-thirds of known
organisms are insects. many kinds of interactions with humans
and other forms of life on earth. Important for both biodiversity and
biosecurity.
Lincoln Entomology Research Museum (ERM)
Curator: John Marris
Aim:
• Contribute to New Zealand biodiversity study
• provide taxonomic expertise and resources to Researchers
Current Holding:
Around 250,000 SpecimensAround 50 HoloType Specimen
Majority use of data Identify specimen’s species Collection event and locality information Geographic Spread of Species. Description of species and references.
Data stored in spreadsheets or word documentSpecimens stay in draws.
SolutionBuild a system that can manage and provide information about an Entomology Type Collection via a web interface for searching and web services to federate information with other Biodiversity Services
Collection Database
Input
Web Browsing
federate with other site
Approach Investigated existing software
Identified Biota Well used software in entomology Built by researchers Built using 4D Recently Open sourced
High level architecture online database with web service
implementation Use Biota as front end for input Web services to publish externally MySQL as database for W/S. Sync MySQL with 4D database.
4D DB MySQL DB
Dreams do not always come true!
Biota developed by a 4D ver6 old version, 10 years old. Code not match on current 4D v12.
Massive errors on Biota’s source code need to fix
PHP/MySQL integration with 4D Database was done by 3rd party add-ons not very stable.
Alternative Plan Use Biota’s Database structure and its workflow . Build the functions that are most useful and
needed in our web application. federate information with other Biodiversity
Services
MySQL DBWeb App
Pro & Con of alternative Plan
Pro Con
More flexibility Have to rethink whole workflow
Better integration between user interface and database
More work on rebuild UI and logic tier
Less DB management as no 4D DB needed
Save time compare to fix all the issue with biota
Outcomes and future task
Done To Do
Customized database structure adapt for current needs and Biota users
Import/Export to other data formats
New UI and logic tier to manage Input and output records
Allow system to support other collection disciplines, e.g. herbaria.
Integrate with Biota’s data structure
Build in image function for future imaging projects
Complete federation with GBIF
Authentication system
Label print system LU ERM
Benefits with Lincoln Web: Publish information about LUERM Collection Can easily access meta-data about specimen. Related data is linked together Improved data management system for
museum curator Work can be distributed to multiple web
users with web access. Speed up work process Resource could contribute to global research
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