Spatial data infrastructures for coastal environments

Central to this chapter is a review and discussion of the “data portal” as the primary means for search, discovery and download of spatial data. Discussed are some of the most pressing challenges to effective implementation of portals within the broader context of a spatial data infrastructure or SDI. Potential solutions are featured via two major case studies of interest to practitioners in coastal ecosystem assessment and management. While there are numerous projects that can be pointed to as successful case studies to emulate, the projects highlighted, along with related efforts and initiatives, are significant demonstrations of innovation, implementation, and practice, from which lessons can be learned. And finally, as critical as a data portal may be to successful SDI implementation, so too are the partnerships behind the portals, which are discussed at chapter’s end with a consideration of virtual communities as an emerging necessity.