LIASevaluation

4D4Life LIAS Evaluation Process – Information for the Referees#

The Referees may send an email to the LIAS custodian Dagmar Triebel (triebel@bsm.mwn.de) to install the DiversityTaxonNames Client on a local PC and to get a readable only account for LIAS names.

General information

LIAS is a multi-authored information system for the collection and distribution of descriptive and other biodiversity data on lichens and selected groups of non-lichenized ascomycetes that was developed within the last 15 years by cooperation of the Botanische Staatssammlung München (BSM) and the University of Bayreuth (UBT). The services are hosted at the IT Center of the Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns (SNSB IT Center). LIAS is a long-term designed project with the final goal to comprise global data – estimates for the total number of lichen species worldwide range between 13.500 and 20.000. Under LIAS About you will find General objectives, How to participate and Impressum. In addition, each subproject has its own editoral board.

The subprojects

LIAS main – A Global Information System for Lichenized and Non-Lichenized Ascomycetes

This is the first project, initiated already in 1993. It is very ambitious. Since 1995 the contributors (authors) have been invited to establish individual sets of descriptors (characters) selected from a master form with Global descriptors. This form includes more than 700 partly multi-stated characters. By doing so the authors create individual LIAS family-level subprojects (see Data entry forms). 60 active contributors have used this service over the years. LIAS main also offers a separate database for descriptions on genus level with predefinded characters and character states. edited online within a browser

LIAS checklists – A Database with Distribution Data of Lichens and Lichenicolous Fungi

The project started in 2001. The database is generating dynamic checklists of lichens and lichenicolous fungi on country or state level linked with reference information. It is currently under reorganisation.

LIAS light – A Database for Rapid Identification of Lichens

This project was initiated in 2001. It aims at optimizing online identification of lichens from specific regions of the world by using an easily working interactive multi-access key (NaviKey client) which is based on a subset of 70 diagnostically relevant characters from the "LIAS main" set. Up to date the "LIAS light" database has its focus on lichens in Germany, Great Britain, the Sonoran Desert, and Southern Africa and covers more than 6,000 lichen taxa. edited online by browser-independent rich client DiversityNavigator.

There is also an option to work with LIAS light offline, i.e., with the LIAS light working environment installed locally.

LIAS glossary – A Database with Definitions of Descriptive Characters of Ascomycetes

LIAS glossary was set up in 2005 using the Wiki technology and is currently under major reorganisation. The glossary provides definitions for the terms used in descriptions and during identification of lichens and ascomycetes, especially those terms used in the character and character state definitions of LIAS. It covers more than 3000 wiki pages. edited online

LIAS names – A Database with names of Lichens, Lichenicolous Fungi and Non-Lichenized Ascomycetes

The project was initiated in 2003. It is currently restricted to taxon names of lichens, lichenicolous fungi and non-lichenized ascomycetes. The LIAS names web interface allows public access for checking accepted names, conceptual names, and synonyms used by LIAS. A SOAP Web Service is set up and the remote editing of data via a browser independent rich client is realized. The goal of LIASnames is to set up a taxonomic backbone for all LIAS subprojects and associated data projects which is usable in local networks of databanks as well as in linking online databanks and in delivering consistent lists of names and synonyms for German data projects in the context of the German GBIF Node for Mycology. It delivers core data in the context of Species 2000. edited online by browser-independent rich client DiversityTaxonNames

Contents in Numbers

Key technologies

MS SQL Server 2008, .NET Framework 3.5, JSP, XML, PostgreSQL, JAVA, CFM, SOAP- and Rest-Webservices, MediaWiki

Applications used by LIAS subprojects

Funded activities in 2008 and 2009

LIAS as Global Species Database for Lichens

References on LIAS starting from 2000

TDWG SDD Working Group

LIAS as Real World Example for BDI.SDD_1.1

Descriptions of LIAS in two Reference Databases for online Biodiversity Projects

TDWG Biodiversity Informatics Projects - LIAS entry

EDIT Service and Application Tracker - LIAS entry