SAEON Open Data Platform South African Environmental Observation Network

Overview

The SAEON Open Data Platform (ODP), accessible at catalogue.saeon.ac.za, is a metadata repository and data catalogue managed by the South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON). The ODP facilitates the publication, discovery, dissemination, and preservation of earth observation and environmental data in South Africa. SAEON is a long-term environmental observation and research facility of the National Research Foundation (NRF), mandated by the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) to preserve and provide access to publicly funded earth and environmental observation data.

Background and Development

SAEON has been active in the development of data management systems since 2008, largely funded by the NRF and DSI. This effort culminated in a collection of services, tools, and components collectively referred to as the Open Data Platform. The ODP was formally described as South Africa's primary earth observation data catalogue and has been registered with international data repository registries including re3data.org. The platform promotes open science and satisfies funder requirements for data publication and scientific transparency.

Scope and Collections

The ODP serves as the central catalogue for South African earth and environmental observation data, including data from SAEON's seven research nodes and three large research infrastructures: the Expanded Freshwater and Terrestrial Environmental Observation Network (EFTEON), the Shallow Marine and Coastal Research Infrastructure (SMCRI), and the South African Polar Research Infrastructure (SAPRI). Data covers terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, marine, and polar environments. The platform supports metadata submission from external researchers and data providers working within SAEON's mandate area.

Access and Usage

The SAEON Open Data Platform is freely accessible online. Researchers, government agencies, and the public can search for and discover datasets, access metadata, and in many cases download data directly. Those wishing to submit data to the ODP may do so by filling out a submission form or contacting the Curation team at curation@saeon.nrf.ac.za. The platform operates under the SAEON Data Policy.