The FIFE data publication experiment

The First ISLSCP Field Experiment (FIFE) provided an opportunity to test the concept of data publication for long-term access to valuable scientific data. In analogy with the procedures used in research publication, the FIFE Information System and NASA's Pilot Land Data System adapted the functions performed by authors, editors, and publishers to an information management environment. Procedures and standards were developed to organize, quality check, document, and review data and associated supporting information for publication on a series of five CD-ROM volumes. The CD-ROM series has been successfully published and is in widespread use in the scientific community. The preliminary indications are that this publication will pass the '20-year test' recommended by a committee of the National Research Council for preserving global change data. It is concluded that the data publication approach, using near-permanent distributable publication units like CD-ROMs, is an important addition to the tools for ensuring the survival of large scientific datasets over long periods.