eLTER Data Mobilization: Advancing Access to Ecological Data

eLTER is making significant strides in data mobilization, enhancing access to valuable ecological data across Europe. A key milestone was the recent data call, which attracted 54 applications from 13 countries, reflecting strong community engagement. Participants received tailored guidance and support, ensuring that datasets align with FAIR principles and can be seamlessly integrated into the eLTER Research Infrastructure. 

To further facilitate data sharing, the eLTER Digital Asset Registry (DAR) was launched in early 2025, providing a structured platform for data ingestion and access. User feedback is already shaping its evolution, with new features like quality control tools and federated identity access improving usability.

Following the successful Data mobilization Week in January, a follow-up tailored support for the data providers is planned to take place during Spring 2025, along with piloting data ingestion in the eLTER DAR. These efforts strengthen eLTER’s mission to provide open, high-quality environmental data for research, policy, and innovation.

eLTER Data Call - legacy data mobilization for eLTER Standard Observations

The eLTER data call was launched in November 2024, it was open for a short period of time (16 days), and a lot of applications were received. The call targeted data from 6 different standard observations (SOs) from different spheres, but accepted data from other SOs and legacy data. The eLTER data call was promoted via the eLTER Market Place.

This Data Call is a pilot for the future data submission in the eLTER RI, and all gained experience and received feedback will be used for improving the operations of eLTER and the participating Sites and Platforms. This eLTER Data Call aims to support the eLTER community to mobilize contributor’s data towards the eLTER cyberinfrastructure. 

Participants have the unique opportunity to influence the way workflows will be established towards future data provision. Data contribution on the other hand will help to identify the needs among the eLTER community to provide open and FAIR data. During the project period data contributors will receive extensive support from the central eLTER Virtual Access (VA) Coordination team. 

The services at hand are, e.g., standardized semantics based on expert input through the standard observation protocol leads, data templates for a breadth of data types, inside knowledge of data structuring based on European requirements on open data, etc. (See eLTER Data Call Wiki Page)

Read about the eLTER Cyberinfrastructure (CI) Development Team

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