This project will establish and operate a data management system for the Ridge 2000 program. Data and metadata that describe the original observations, measurements, methods of analyses and final products will be harvested and input into a relational database using standards developed by the Federal Geographic Data Committee. Open exchange will be implemented. Community input will be solicited through an advisory group, online evaluation, and focus groups at community workshops. Digital forms will be developed to aid in the collection of basic cruise metadata. Database schema, design tables, and tools for input of data will be developed. Data tables will be populated and quality control provided. For data within other well-defined repositories, the goal is to link to these data centers rather than duplicate data holdings. Data for which no repository currently exists will be compiled and stored within this database.
