A framework for connecting two interoperability universes: OGC Web Feature Services and Linked Data

Diverse studies have shown that about 80% of all available data are related to a spatial location. Most of these geospatial data are available as structured and semi-structured datasets, and often use distinct data models, are encoded using ad-hoc vocabularies, and sometimes are being published in non-standard formats. Hence, these data are isolated within silos and cannot be shared and integrated across organizations and communities. Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) have emerged and contributed to significantly enhance data discovery and accessibility based on OGC (Open Geospatial Consortium) Web services. However, finding, accessing, and using data disseminated through SDIs are still difficult for non-expert users. Overcoming the current geospatial data challenges involves adopting the best practices to expose, share, and integrate data on the Web, that is, Linked Data. In this article, we have developed a framework for generating, enriching, and exploiting geospatial Linked Data from multiple and heterogeneous geospatial data sources. This proposal allows connecting two interoperability universes (SDIs, more specifically Web Feature Services, WFS, and Semantic Web technologies), which is evaluated through a study case in the (geo)biodiversity domain.