Metadata repository management using the MediaWiki interoperability framework a case study: The KeyToNature project

In the KeyToNature project a user-centred and collaborative approach for metadata repository management was developed. KeyToNature is an EU project to enhance the knowledge of biodiversity by improving the availability of digital and non-digital media along with digital tools for the identification of living organisms throughout Europe. To improve the ability to search and access information, metadata are provided and integrated into a metadata repository. This paper presents a method utilizing web-based MediaWiki system as part of a low-tech interoperability and repository layer for data providers, end users, developers, and project partners. Because the level of technological expertise of the data providers varies greatly, a solution accessible for non-expert data providers was developed. The main features of this method are the automatic metadata repository management, and an ontological approach with ingestion workflows integrated into MediaWiki collaborative framework. Extensive user testing shows performance advantages of the method and attests usefulness in the application area. This practice-oriented method can be adopted by other projects aiming at collaborative knowledge acquisition and automatic metadata repository management, regardless of domain of discourse.