Conceptual data modeling of wildlife response indicators to ecosystem change in the Arctic

Open-File Report 2015-1148
Science to Support the USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative
By:  and 

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Abstract

Large research studies are often challenged to effectively expose and document the types of information being collected and the reasons for data collection across what are often a diverse cadre of investigators of differing disciplines. We applied concepts from the field of information or data modeling to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) initiative to prototype an application of information modeling. The USGS CAE initiative is collecting information from marine and terrestrial environments in Alaska to identify and understand the links between rapid physical changes in the Arctic and response of wildlife populations to these ecosystem changes. An associated need is to understand how data collection strategies are informing the overall science initiative and facilitating communication of those strategies to a wide audience. We explored the use of conceptual data modeling to provide a method by which to document, describe, and visually communicate both enterprise and study level data; provide a simple means to analyze commonalities and differences in data acquisition strategies between studies; and provide a tool for discussing those strategies among researchers and managers.

Suggested Citation

Walworth, Dennis, and Pearce, J.M., 2015, Conceptual data modeling of wildlife response indicators to ecosystem change in the Arctic: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015-1148, 28 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151148.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Abstract 
  • Introduction
  • Methodology
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Future Directions
  • Acknowledgments
  • References Cited
  • Appendix A. U.S. Geological Survey Changing Arctic Ecosystems Enterprise Data Dictionary Report
  • Appendix B. U.S. Geological Survey Changing Arctic Ecosystems Conceptual Data Models for Selected Phase 1 Research Projects (2010–14)
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Conceptual data modeling of wildlife response indicators to ecosystem change in the Arctic
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2015-1148
DOI 10.3133/ofr20151148
Year Published 2015
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Alaska Science Center
Description iv, 28 p.
Country United States
State Alaska
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details