Abstract

Ecological data are inherently complex, covering a diverse range of context-dependent concepts that create challenges for secondary users both in terms of interpretation and integration. Interpretation is particularly challenging when different collection protocols, measurement standards and classification systems are in use, and in many cases are not described in enough detail to be reproducible. Integration can also be challenging because many data collection activities are small scale and rely on bespoke data management practices. Furthermore, the multitude of different ways that ecological system observations are made leads to difficulties with aligning similar but not synonymous concepts, a challenge further exacerbated by the lack of sufficient context.