Integration of GWD database with Plant-Hub components: Scientific opportunities and technical challenges

A central goal of the strategic project “GWD – Global woody demography” is the creation of an open access database of demographic rates of tree species derived from forest inventory data collected across the globe. The database will close the gap of population-level information of plant diversity in the “iDiv Plant-Hub”. The iDiv Plant-Hub embraces initiatives to consolidate information on global vascular plant taxonomy (Leipzig Reference List), functional traits (TRY database), plant community composition (vegetation plot database sPlot), global environmental data (Data Cube), and a network of plant community models (SimNet). The workshop will bring together representatives of iDiv Plant-Hub components and plant demographers. Our primary goals are (1) to exchange information about existing global database projects and their future plans, (2) to ensure an efficient integration of the GWD database with other Plant-Hub components, and (3) to brainstorm future cross-database questions and analyses.