One important task for a group like GE-BICH is to identify requirements to improve or facilitate the exchange and management of biological and chemical data. One of these requirements is the need for greater standardisation of the terminology used for labelling biological and chemical data types, sampling gears and methods, and analytical methods.

Initiatives such as the Marine Metadata Interoperability (MMI) and the SeaDataNet and MarineXML Vocabulary Content Governance Group (SeaVox) have provided a framework and support from a dedicated community of experts for the development of controlled vocabularies and ontologies for the marine sciences.

In 2009, GE-BICH decided to focus its attention three main areas: sampling gears for chemical, biogeochemical and biological data, vocabularies for life cycles and life stages, and non-taxonomic plankton groups. In the course of 2010, we aim to have these lists submitted for governance by SeaVox.

If you are interested in getting involved in this process please contact the person named in each of the sub-sections. Alternatively contact Gwen Moncoiffé (gmon at bodc.ac.uk).