Data Discovery (LTER)

This document describes best practices for EML metadata implementation by LTER sites, as defined by two working groups comprised of LTER information managers and LNO representatives that convened in 2003 and 2004 (see section V). These recommendations are directed towards achieving the following goals:

a) Identify useful subsets of the EML schema to support specific functionality tiers targeted by the LTER NIS Advisory Committee (NISAC)

b) Maximize interoperability of LTER EML documents to facilitate data synthesis

c) Minimize heterogeneity of LTER EML documents to simplify development and re-use of software tools and style sheets

d) Provide guidance to sites in their initial implementation of EML, and a roadmap for improving their implementation to achieve higher functionality

This document is also intended to augment the EML schema documentation and other resources listed below:

EML Handbook: http://intranet.lternet.edu/modules.php?name=UpDownload&req=getit&lid=696

EML FAQ: http://knb.ecoinformatics.org/software/eml/eml-2.0.1/eml-faq.html

Report from the 2003 EML implementation workshop at SEV: http://intranet.lternet.edu/modules.php?name=UpDownload&req=getit&lid=695

EML 2.0.1 schema and documentation: http://knb.ecoinformatics.org/software/eml/