he 2016 Arctic Observing Summit Conference Statement (www.arcticobservingsummit.org) confirms the need for continued development of a globally connected data and information system of systems. Following on developments during the IPY and further evolved over a series of workshops and publications, the polar data community has been working together towards practical, useful, stable, and interoperable infrastructures to support Arctic research and communities. The Arctic community identified interoperability as a foundational goal and theme. Interoperability can be defined as properties of data and information systems that allow them to connect to, and share with, other information products or systems in the present or future without unintended restrictions. However, interoperability is far more than an exercise in engineering. A truly interoperable, globally connected polar data system is a socio-technical system that crosses many scales and knowledge domains. Although developing an interoperable system is complex and challenging, significant progress is being made. In November of 2016, 60 representatives from 17 countries and more than 15 polar data organizations and initiatives participated in the Polar Connections Interoperability Workshop. Based on a pre-workshop analysis and survey, several themes were used to organize the meeting activities: Data discovery and services. Representing Indigenous Knowledge, Community Based Monitoring, and the social sciences. Virtual Research Environments and Cloud computing. Governance and sustainability. Capacity building (cross-cutting). During the workshop, participants. Recognized that many remaining challenges are social rather than technical, such as supporting human networks, promoting standards, and aligning policy with implementation; Confirmed the need for interoperable, federated data discovery and identified existing systems to address this need; Identified key data services and models in support of priority goals; Enhanced models for engaging Indigenous people(s); Initiated connections to global data and information communities for broader interoperability and engagement, including RDA, ESA, and others. We conclude by summarizing outcomes to date, benefits to researchers and communities and proposing next steps.
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications 2017
During the middle ages, strawberry, Fragaria vesca, is frequent in the settlements from north-western Europe. The species can often be recorded in huge quantities. The issue of its cultivated or wild status has to be discussed. It is impossible to determine whether the species is wild, cultivated or domesticated from simple anatomical observation of its achenes. Several elements could influence the presence and abundance of strawberry: the fruit of the strawberry produces many achenes; these are very resistant to biodegradation and they keep even well in contexts where organic decomposition of organic matter is strong. In medieval and early modern times they are quite common finds in the filling of cesspits and kitchen rubbish pits. The presence from Fragaria vesca in the archaeobotanical assemblages from cesspits can be resulting from collections from the wild, but also specimens cultivated in gardens. Indeed, the species is a characteristic component of forest borders and clearings and collection of the fruits was easy. However, from iconographic and textual sources, we can observe that strawberry was depicted as a garden plant on several religious paintings, due to its strong symbolic meaning as symbol of the pureness of Saint Mary. In addition, from the tenth century to the early modern times, the species is increasingly frequent in archaeobotanical assemblages. Through these several elements, we can imagine that the cultivation of strawberry could have taken place earlier than was previously estimated.
Located in
Library
/
RBINS Staff Publications
