Wikidata:WikiProject Natural History Specimen Data Model
| Welcome | Type Specimen Technical Documentation | Specimen Image Technical Documentation | Crosswalks | Modelling Principles |
About |
This WikiProject supports the development, documentation, and improvement of data models for natural history specimens across Wikidata and Structured Data on Commons (SDC). The project aims to create consistent, machine-readable ways to represent specimen records, holotypes, collection events, collectors, taxonomic determinations, and related GLAM-held material.
Scope |
This WikiProject covers:
- Wikidata modelling for natural history specimens (only notable specimens, e.g. holotypes as per current wikidata conventions for uploading natural science material)
- Structured Data on Commons (SDC) for specimen images
- Linking specimens to taxonomic names, identifiers, and literature
- Modelling collecting events (collector, date, locality, method)
- Aligning specimen data with external biodiversity standards (GBIF, Darwin Core, BHL)
- Supporting GLAM and Research institutions contributing Natural Sciences material to Commons and Wikidata
Goals |
- Establish a consistent and documented data model for natural history specimens on Wikidata
- Define recommended property usage for specimen items
- Model holotype and type-status relationships clearly and consistently
- Improve SDC representations for natural science images on Wikimedia Commons
- Provide guidance for partners contributing specimen images and metadata
- Align with biodiversity metadata standards
- Create tools, queries, and examples that support automated and batch contributions
- Identify gaps and inconsistencies in current Wikidata modelling and draft improvements
Draft documentation |
We will be splitting this project into two portions:
- Data Model: Natural History type specimen items - Draft documentation
- Data Model: Natural History specimen images - Draft documentation
- Draft Crosswalk spreadsheet
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1zo6bn9kPXLSZXDdelpmxF5f4geQ1zZAhrTXVgJ_8ZHk/edit?usp=sharing
Participants |
Add your username below if you would like to join or be notified of discussions.
Property Proposals |
- Property proposal: collector SUCCESSFUL ➜ collector (P13914)
- Property proposal: specimen classifier SUCCESSFUL ➜ specimen classifier (P14026)
- Property proposal: collection date SUCCESSFUL ➜ collection date (P14027)
- Property proposal: location collected SUCCESSFUL ➜ location collected (P14117)
Tools & Resources |
- taxonomic type (P427) - type specimen
- nomenclatural type of (P13478) - nomenclatural type of
- inventory number (P217) - inventory number
- collection (P195) - collection
- Wikidata:WikiProject Taxonomy
- Darwin Core standard
- GBIF
- BHL
- Commons:Structured data
- BHL-Wiki working group data model discussion document
Communications |
Discussion and coordination take place on the project talk page.
Please feel free to add questions, propose property usage, or coordinate modelling work.