Abstract
A field spectroscopy metadata standard is defined as those data elements that explicitly document the spectroscopy dataset and field protocols, sampling strategies, instrument properties and environmental and logistical variables. Standards for field spectroscopy metadata affect the quality, completeness, reliability, and usability of datasets created in situ. Currently there is no standardized methodology for documentation of in situ spectroscopy data or metadata. This paper presents results of an international experiment comprising a web-based survey and expert panel evaluation that investigated critical metadata in field spectroscopy. The survey participants were a diverse group of scientists experienced in gathering spectroscopy data across a wide range of disciplines. Overall, respondents were in agreement about a core metadataset for generic campaign metadata, allowing for a prioritization of critical metadata elements to be proposed including those relating to viewing geometry, location, general target and sampling properties, illumination, instrument properties, reference standards, calibration, hyperspectral signal properties, atmospheric conditions, and general project details. Consensus was greatest among individual expert groups in specific application domains. The results allow the identification of a core set of metadata fields that enforce long term data storage and serve as a foundation for a metadata standard. This paper is part one in a series about the core elements of a robust and flexible field spectroscopy metadata standard.
Highlights
The aim of this paper is to define the critical metadata for field spectroscopy campaigns that will support any in situ field spectroscopy metadataset
The Friedman Test measures the difference between the observed rankings per respondent for each metadata category against a baseline of uniform rankings between respondents with α = 0.05 and the results show that for each category the differences between respondents is statistically significant for values p < 0.05
The survey results provides a framework for metadata prioritization that can be applied to any in situ field spectroscopy metadata standard that is practical, flexible enough to suit the purpose for which the data is being collected, and/or has sufficient legacy potential for long-term sharing and interoperability with other datasets
Summary
Field spectroscopy metadata consists of those data elements that explicitly document the spectroscopy dataset and field protocols, sampling strategies, instrument properties and environmental and logistical variables. Spectroscopy metadata is integral to the fitness-for-purpose of the spectral measurements. Standards for field spectroscopy metadata affect the quality, completeness, reliability, and usability of datasets created in situ. Intercomparison and interoperability of field spectral datasets are dependent upon the standards defined by the remote sensing community and implemented by field operators. Any metadata standard for in situ field spectroscopy adopted by national or international bodies must address the unique aspects and impact of field metadata on any datasets derived from it
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