Importing a Dataset from ScienceBase



ScienceBase allows users to upload spatial datasets in a variety of formats.  Please check out their help page for more information about this process.

When importing, Data Basin reads the metadata of the item in ScienceBase.  This metadata cannot be edited in Data Basin.  However, Data Basin periodically looks for new versions of the metadata on ScienceBase, and updates that information into the Data Basin record.  If you want this information to be updated more quickly, simply edit the dataset in Data Basin to pull in the latest metadata.

Data Basin requires these metadata elements to be completed in ScienceBase prior to import:
  • Title
  • Body
  • Thematic Tags

You can use additional fields in ScienceBase to display additional information in Data Basin:
  • Provenance - Annotation field (on “From” tab): used for “Data Provided By” section in Data Basin.
  • Contacts (on “Who” tab): used for “Data Provided By” where contact type is Author, Co-Investigator, Data Owner, Lead Organization, Originator, Principal Investigator when Provenance - Annotation field is empty.
  • Contacts: used for “Contact Organizations” when contact refers to an organization (drop down menu to right of contact type).  Should include an email address.
  • Contacts: used for “Contact Person(s)” when contact refers to a person (drop down menu to right of contact type).
  • Dates (on “When” tab): used for “Content Date”  field on all layers within the dataset.
  • Purpose (on “What” tab): used for “Purpose” field of layer within dataset if there is only one layer present; field is otherwise ignored.

Files for Download:
By default, if the map service was published on ScienceBase from an ArcGIS Service Definition, the Download button in Data Basin allows users to download that file and all files attached to the record in ScienceBase.  If you instead want to connect this button to other files or data sources hosted elsewhere, you can do one of the following:

1) Upload additional files to ScienceBase (on the "Files" tab).  

2) Host data elsewhere and add a Web Link (on the "External Sources" tab) in ScienceBase to point to this location.  

Data Basin will automatically detect if either of the above options are used, and use those file locations instead of the service definition file.



Secure Resources in ScienceBase

Note: this functionality is not yet publicly accessible (in development); we expect it to be available in mid-June 2015.

We understand that it is sometimes necessary to manage secure resources within ScienceBase, and yet make those accessible within Data Basin.  In order to do so, you must do the following:

All items
You and all users needing access to this item in Data Basin MUST sign in using the USGS 3rd party sign in option.  You may be required to sign out and sign back in using this option, and because USGS sessions expire fairly rapidly compared to your Data Basin session, you will likely need to do so on a regular basis.

The item MUST be shared with the Data Basin service account in ScienceBase, with READ access.  While the user's credentials are used for most access operations during import and display within the interactive map page, this gives the Data Basin server the access necessary to periodically check the item in ScienceBase for updates and keep the information in sync.


ArcGIS Map Services (published from ArcGIS Service Definitions)
ArcGIS map services require additional steps because a different credential system is in use on the ScienceBase ArcGIS Servers.

1) Publish an ArcGIS Service Definition to ScienceBase (instructions) but DO NOT make it publicly accessible.  ScienceBase will not automatically create an ArcGIS Map Service in this case.

2) You MUST personally contact ScienceBase staff requesting that your item be published as a secure map service, and you MUST specify that this item is for use in Data Basin.  They will specifically grant access to the Data Basin admin account, which is required for import and use within the interactive map page.  You will need to be notified by ScienceBase staff that your service has been published before you will be able to import this item into Data Basin.

Please note: because this requires manual intervention on the part of ScienceBase staff, please use this option only when required based on the nature of your resource.


Also note: Data Basin does not currently support secure services originating hosted from other locations than ScienceBase.  If you require this functionality, please contact us for more information.


Managing access:
At present, no synchronization of access to items is performed between ScienceBase and Data Basin.  Therefore, it is necessary to share items as follows:

1) Share the ScienceBase item with the appropriate groups and user accounts in ScienceBase FIRST to establish fundamental access to the items.

2)  Share the associated Data Basin item with the appropriate users and groups in Data Basin.  

Granting access in Data Basin alone is insufficient, and will only permit viewing the dataset detail page; all use in the interactive map page will be first require authorization from ScienceBase (and will be blocked if the user does not have access in ScienceBase).