Research on the service system of geospatial metadata in water resources

Metadata is getting more important with the recent developments of the applications of spatial data. It has become the key issue for the water resources industry to make the management and application of metadata better and more effective. We divide the logical structure of the application system of metadata into three layers: concept, organization, and application. For the logical layers of metadata, we set up the standards, build databases, and develop the application services. To build a systematic application service model for metadata, we use the standards, databases, XML, and Web Service to manage, transmit, express, and distribute metadata in the water resources industry. With the Standard for Water Resources Geospatial Metadata, we summarize the past and current applications of metadata, study the specific methodologies, and develop a more efficient and systematic way to apply and manage metadata.