Project: SOFIA Metadata

Web Site: http://sofia.usgs.gov

Location: Total System; Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Dade, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Monroe, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, and St. Lucie Counties

Principle Investigator: Jo Anne Stapleton, jastapleton@usgs.gov 703.648.4592

Project Personnel: None

Other Supporting Organizations: None

Associated Projects: SOFIA database (Roy Sonenshein, sunshine@usgs.gov 305.717.5824); SOFIA web site (Heather Henkel, hhenkel@usgs.gov, 727.803.8747 x3028)

Overview & Status: The metadata part of SOFIA documents projects currently in work and previous projects conducted by USGS. To date most of the projects have been documented with FGDC-compliant metadata with the exception of some projects started in FY 2000. Work has been started on documenting data sets available on the SOFIA Data Exchange pages with FGDC-compliant metadata. Preliminary discussions with other Federal and State of Florida agencies and the Seminole Tribe of Florida have been initiated regarding making their data available through the SOFIA web site.

Needs & Products: The project provides FGDC-compliant metadata to enable users to determine whether data is applicable or usable in their projects. Initial contact have been made with ENP, USACE, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, SFWMD, Broward County DPEP, Miami-Dade County DERM, NOAA, and the Seminole Tribe regarding data access and metadata on the SOFIA site. Results published include presentations at the Second Annual South Florida Ecosystem Symposium in West Palm Beach, July, 1996 and the USGS South Florida Ecosystem Technical Symposium in Ft. Lauderdale, August, 1997, a Poster session on SOFIA at the South Florida Restoration Science Forum in May 1999, a demonstration of the SOFIA website and virtual tour at the USGS Holiday Train Display and Community Day in December, 1999, and a Poster session/demonstration of SOFIA web site at the IALE 2000 Symposium in April 2000.

Application to Everglades Restoration: This project provides scientists and resource managers with access to scientific research data on which to base restoration and management decisions.