Frequently Asked Questions
What kinds of data can I search for in the SAEON catalogue?
SAEON hosts a wide range of environmental datasets. These include ecological, hydrological, marine, climate, and biodiversity data, as well as geospatial products, time-series observations, imagery, and associated documentation generated through environmental monitoring and research.
How can I filter the data?
Use the search bar at the top of the catalogue to enter keywords. You can further refine your results using the filter panel on the left, where datasets can be filtered by keywords, data type, time period, or geographic extent. The map interface also allows you to draw polygons around areas of interest to locate datasets relevant to a specific region.
Can I search for data by keyword, instrument type, sensor or location?
Yes. You can search using keywords in the search bar and refine the results using the available filters, including parameters such as instrument type, sensor, or geographic location where applicable.
What common formats are the data available in?
Data Type | Common File Formats |
Documents | Plain text (.txt), PDF (.pdf) |
Tabular data | Comma separated values (.csv) |
Geospatial data | Shapefile (.shp, including .shx and .dbf), GeoTIFF (.tiff and .tfw) |
Multidimensional | NetCDF (.nc) |
Time series data | Relational database (SQL), Comma separated values (.csv), Plain text (.txt) |
Images | TIFF (.tiff) |
Audio | Wav (.wav) |
Video | Quicktime (.mov), Mpeg 4 (.mp4) |
What is metadata?
Metadata describes a dataset by capturing information such as its origin, content, structure, format, and quality. Simply put, metadata is data about the data, helping users understand, interpret, and reuse datasets.
How do I cite the data I use?
Navigate to the quotation mark icon at the top of the dataset page and select “Cite this record.” A pop-up window will appear with several citation styles and languages. You can select the format most appropriate for your reference list.
If the link to download data does not work, what do I do?
Please contact the SAEON data curation team at curation@saeon.nrf.ac.za for assistance.
What do I do if I come across embargoed or restricted data that I want to download/use?
Please contact the person listed as the Contact Person for the dataset to request access. If their contact details are not available, you can reach out to the SAEON curation team for assistance.
Where else can I find environmental data if it is not available in the SAEON catalogue?
If you cannot find the data you are looking for in the SAEON catalogue, you can explore alternative platforms such as the SAEON Observations Database, the DFFE Marine Information Management System (MIMS), and the Southern African Data Centre for Oceanography (SADCO). Please note that you will need to create a user account before downloading data from SADCO.
Can I submit data to SAEON for publication? What domain/types of data?
Yes. SAEON accepts data submissions related to environmental sciences, including spatial, ecological, hydrological, marine, and climate datasets. For large projects or datasets expected to produce significant volumes of data, a Data Management Plan (DMP) may be required. Please contact the SAEON curation team if this applies to your project. For more information, please refer to the SAEON Data Policy.
Does SAEON issue DOIs?
Yes. SAEON issues Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) to ensure datasets can be properly cited and tracked.
What is the turnaround time from when I submit my data, to when I get a DOI?
The curation team aims to process submissions as efficiently as possible. However, please allow approximately two weeks, depending on the size and complexity of the dataset.
Advancing environmental data science through innovative infrastructure, tools, and collaborative research support.
