The LifeWatch ICT Reference Model

The technical vision for LifeWatch is a network of services providing secure access across multiple organisations to biodiversity related data and to relevant analytical and modelling tools to collaborative groups of researchers. The infrastructure will be implemented using the ideas of "Service Networks", Spatial Data Infrastructures, and Grid Computing. The LifeWatch Reference Model provides the basis for an interoperable ICT infrastructure for European biodiversity research building on standards whenever feasible. Distinguishing features will be support of workflow for scientific in-silico experiments, tracking of provenance, and semantic support for interoperability. The LifeWatch Reference Model builds on principles such as reusability, modularity, portability, interoperability, discoverability, and compliance with standards. It specifies an architectural approach that constitutes a solid conceptual basis for supporting these principles.