Portal software is used to create interfaces which can be used to perform queries on the network and retrieve data from different data providers. There are several portals accessing BioCASe data providers around the world, including the GBIF Data Portal. This page lists the ones that are being developed by projects related to BioCASe.
BioCASe Simple User Interface (demonstrator)
As a demonstrator on how to create portals that query BioCASe data providers, a simple portal was developed using Java technology (Java Server Pages with additional Java classes). The demonstrator runs a live query on the connected data providers, collects and displays the result documents.
You can read more and download the demonstrator here or try out the test installation at the BGBM. The GeoCASe project is using the Simple UI as a data portal.
BioCASe 2 User Interface
Within the Syntheys II project, a more sophisticated portal has been developed. It doesn't run a live query, but is based on a cache database that allows faster and more convenient searches. Queries can be extended using several taxonimc thesauri, improving search results. In contrast to the GBIF data portal, the single-record view displays all information published originally by the data provider. Read more or download this portal here.
This portal can be used for free to set up user-specific or thematic networks.
Currently, five slightly differing installations are run by different projects, amongst others
- The EDIT Specimen Explorer for global occurrence data. It is designed to specifically meet taxonomist's requirements,
- The SYNTHESYS European Data Portal for biodiversity data on Europe,
- The GBIF-D Botany Data Portal covers observations and specimens of German Botany,
- The Central African Biodiversity Information Network provides access to data on African biodiversity.
DNA Bank Network
The DNA Bank Network was establisehd in spring 2007 and aims to establish a technically optimized DNA collection service facility for biological research. DNA bank databases of all partners are linked and are accessible via a central web portal, providing DNA samples of complementary collections.