BASIN-3D translates queries of BASIN-3D’s data model to queries of individual data sources whose plugins have been registered.
A plugin is a software component that extends functionality. In this case, a plugin will add access to data sources desired for synthesis. A data source is where the data originates.
Several plugins to public data sources are available with BASIN-3D. See :doc:`plugins`.
BASIN-3D allows scientists to make a single query to multiple data sources.
BASIN-3D accesses data sources on-demand. Plugins map the data source query and return (meta)data to BASIN-3D’s data model (see Observations, Monitoring Features, Observed Properties below).
BASIN-3D is designed to support diverse types of data, which we call observations. Examples of observation types include: time series, images, gridded layers, results of lab analyses, qualitative descriptions. BASIN-3D currently supports time series observations.
- Features of Interest
- Observations typically describe an aspect of something. Features of interest include organisms or physical entities.
- Monitoring Features
- Features of interest are often physical entities more commonly referred to as locations or samples. Read more below.
- Observed Properties
- The aspect of something that the observation describes is called the observed property; these are variables.
IMPORTANT: To query many observation types using BASIN-3D, monitoring features and observed properties must be specified.
- Additional Metadata
- Observations have many other metadata, including when it occurs in time. See :class:`basin3d.core.models.Observation` for additional metadata available for observations.
Monitoring features are what an observation is characterizing and can be organized into hierarchies:
- Feature Types
Data often characterizes physical entities. In Earth Science monitoring features can be categories of feature types such as basins, watersheds, and points.
BASIN-3D is currently bundled with feature types for hydrological earth science data (See xxx to get a list of these feature types). However, the design allows for the definition of other domain specific feature types.
- Parent Features
- Monitoring features can be organized into hierarchies to enable queries by parent features:
- Additional Metadata
- Monitoring features have metadata that include their geo-reference. See See :class:`basin3d.core.models.MonitoringFeature` for additional metadata available for monitoring features.
An observed property is the aspect of a monitoring feature characterized by the observation.
Observed properties are commonly called variables. Examples include stream discharge, air temperature, aluminum concentration
BASIN-3D uses a defined list of observed properties and their units to which data source variable names and units are mapped. By default, BASIN-3D uses a list of variables commonly used in hydrological-focused Earth Science.