Cataloging and Describing Scientific Data: Simplifying Data Discovery and Use for Researchers and Educators

The THREDDS (Thematic Real-time Environmental Distributed Data Services) project has developed a simple XML schema for cataloging and describing scientific data. In a THREDDS catalog, datasets can have one or more methods by which the dataset can be accessed and collections of datasets can be organized into a hierarchical structure. On top of this simple framework, descriptive information about each dataset or collection of datasets can be added or referenced. The addition of suitable metadata to a dataset can provide applications with the information needed to display and analyze the data more easily. Ancillary metadata can also feed into other types of tools including search and discovery systems, e.g., the National Science Digital Library (NSDL), the Digital Library for Earth Science Education (DLESE), and the Global Change Master Directory (GCMD). This presentation will describe THREDDS catalog documents, how to addadditional information/metadata to a catalog, tools for producing catalogs, tools/services that use THREDDS catalogs including a THREDDS based OpenGIS Web Coverage Server (WCS). The THREDDS WCS implements an open interface which facilitates interoperability with different information communities, especially the GIS community. The THREDDS project has been funded by the NSF through the National Science Digital Library (NSDL) program.