The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) is a global repository of marine biodiversity and biogeographic data. OBIS Australia (OBIS-AU), hosted by CSIRO NCMI (National Collections and Marine Infrastructure), is the principal regional data node for this data in the Australian and adjacent seas region within the OBIS network.
To date OBIS-AU has published 36 million Darwin Core occurrence records from 480+ marine biodiversity datasets via an IPT (Integrated Publishing Toolkit). Of these, 21 million are eDNA records with sequences and DNA specific metadata using the GBIF endorsed DNA Derived Data extension.
OBIS-AU has built data transformation and QC tools to publish quality data using rigorous processes. OBIS-AU maintains data lineage by storing creator and metadata provider details in EML (Ecological Metadata Language). OBIS-AU collaborates with ALA (Atlas of Living Australia) and GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) on a regional publishing pathway, avoiding data duplication across data aggregators. OBIS-AU engages in various OBIS working groups to contribute to ongoing OBIS development.
In an Australian context, this effort enhances the quality and reliability of marine species distribution data published to the OBIS platform. OBIS-AU implements FAIR Principles, providing a data publishing platform for providers and facilitating data dissemination to researchers and policymakers.