Approaches to Solve Schema Heterogeneity at the European Level

To satisfy increased demands for the use, sharing, and exchange of geographic data in cross-border European applications, methods to support interoperability are required by the community. In this paper we present the requirements that exist in order to have interoperable data across Europe. We investigate what is currently possible in order to achieve interoperability by existing software and tools. We, present approaches that can be used to support automated schema mapping including of investigation of applying ontologies. Our findings are that ontologies enable powerful methods for schema integration. However, it requires that all users that need to integrate data have to agree upon a shared vocabulary, a domain ontology. This involves conceptual modelling and requires special knowledge, which may not be feasible in all application areas. The various approaches presented are exemplified using a running example, which is based on the EU Natura 2000 data.

FRIIS-CHRISTENSEN Anders;  SCHADE Sven;  PEEDELL Stephen; 

2007-07-27

Joint Research Centre

JRC32247