Natural Capital Ireland orgainsed and hosted the Data hub for the Data 4 Nature workshop on May 11th, 2021. 100+ attendees who joined in taking a closer look at the state–of–play for nature–related data in Ireland.
As a final output, a report was produced for the Minister for State with Responsibility for Communications Ossian Smyth that provides recommendations for improving the availability, accuracy, usability, accessibility, reproducibility and discoverability of data to support nature research and conservation.
The workshop event considered ways data could be better used to support the natural capital approach and biodiversity monitoring, while asking how we might enhance data infrastructure for environmental research in general, particularly with the Open Data Directive coming into law.
The report has recommendations for improving availability, accuracy, usability, accessibility, reproducibility & discoverability of nature data in Ireland.
Challenges raised include data gaps, incomplete metadata, varying units and timeframes.
5 key recommendations :
·Develop one central dashboard for Irish nature data
·Establish robust data gathering protocols
·Harmonise formats
·Publicise and promote
·Ensure open & equal access for all
Read the final report here.