Harmonize existing databases on invasive exotic species
Context and project description
There are several databases regarding aquatic invasive species, whether those dedicated to marine species, freshwater species, plant species or land wildlife species. They are administered by various stakeholders, such as governmental or paragovernemtal organizations and non-profit organizations. They are managed based on the stakeholders’ various mandates, priorities and areas of intervention and research. The electronic format in which the data is stored often differs from one database to another, making their integration rather complex.
With this project, the SLAP partners are seeking to harmonize the contents of these databases to make the data they contain more accessible in order to facilitate dissemination and consultation. Representatives from the departments and organizations involved will first meet to determine the parameters to be documented for each species: scientific name, geographic coordinates, abundance, phenology, preferred habitats, stage of spread, existence or absence of monitoring, etc. Participants must also choose a similar structure for all databases and possibly establish a common platform for redirecting queries to the appropriate bases. Eventually, one of the necessary decisions will be related to the creation of a vast shared database.
Results
The type of information gathered in the existing databases has been harmonized. All of the information about marine species will eventually be available on the website of the St. Lawrence Global Observatory (OGSL). Dissemination of this information will enable more effective responses against aquatic invasive species present in the St. Lawrence.
Participating departments
Government of Canada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Government of Quebec
- Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques
- Ministère de l’Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l’Alimentation