Benefits of storing data in a recognised data centre
Improves data security
Reduces the risk of data loss
Provides early stage back-up and long-term data archiving
Enhances data quality and access
Facilitates better calibration and validation procedures
Provide easier access to co-sampled data
Ensures data acknowledgment and understanding
Protects intellectual efforts and retains recognition for data providers (see http://www.iode.org/datapublishing)
Provides detailed information on data and methodologies
Trains young scientists on good data collection and management practices
Be involved in an international network
The IMBER IPO has initiated a metadata portal http://gcmd.nasa.gov/portals/imber/ for IMBER-related projects. Through this facility, researchers can obtain and identify information and data from other projects
Access to related data will aid in linking of individual data sets and promoting scientific collaboration