Generating information from large volumes of data: Development of a sturgeon information management system (SIMS)

The U.S. Geological Survey is engaged in a multidisciplinary study to investigate pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) behavior and movement in the Lower Missouri River.  This research generates volumes of data on sturgeon sampling, morphology and meristics, surgical implantations, reproductive assessments, telemetry search effort, telemetry locations, surveys of habitat use, and environmental variables.  As a result, the Sturgeon Information Management System (SIMS) was developed as a central platform for the organization and exploration of the rich and diverse data stream collected by multiple partners and disciplines.  The purpose of SIMS is to compile raw data into meaningful information to support near real-time interactive science.  The SIMS platform provides the ability to rapidly create data linkages and queries to quickly provide highly customized reports.  Reports can detail a wide variety of information, from project level statistics to complete histories of individual fish.  SIMS enables researchers to interactively chart the movements of one or more pallid sturgeon.  Rapid querying, charting, and mapping of data by SIMS is key to visualizing sturgeon movement and habitat use through time.  SIMS provides a platform to efficiently explore relationships among the volumes of data available and can aid in the development of approaches to analyze complex datasets.