MOBILIZING FAUNAL ISOTOPE DATA WITHIN THE NEOTOMA PALEOECOLOGY DATABASE (Invited Presentation)

The Neotoma Paleoecology Database (neotomadb.org) is an interdisciplinary, open access data repository for the paleoecology community: a database of databases. Primary data types include proxies such as pollen, vertebrate remains, diatoms, ostracods, and packrat middens. The Faunal Isotope Database began development in 2015 and was launched in beta form in 2018. This database allowed for the integration of specimen-specific stable isotope data with existing data types at the site and regional level for the first time. To date, one of the limiting factors in stable isotope studies for our understanding of variability across not only spatial but also long-term temporal scales has been a lack of data exchange and integration. As multiple stable isotope data repository initiatives have arisen in the last few years, Neotoma has the ability link these various open data sources, allowing a cross-comparative, big-data approach. This paper discusses the development, launch, and initial population of the stable isotope repository with published stable isotope data from archaeological sites. It explores data integration along with issues that exist as challenges for the future, including establishing best practices and standardization in recording/reporting, monitoring data quality, linking datasets, and increasing accessibility while protecting sensitive information.