Sharing Knowledge and Data About Groundwater in EU: The EIGR Metadata Inventory of the KINDRA Project

Groundwater knowledge and research in the European Union is often scattered and non-standardised, because of different subjects involved and different approaches from member states. The Horizon 2020 project KINDRA has conducted an EU-wide assessment of existing groundwater-related practical and scientific knowledge based on a new Hydrogeological Research Classification System, identifying more than 280 keywords related to three main categories (namely operational actions, research topics and societal challenges) to be intersected in a 3D-diagram. The classification is supported by a Web service, the European Inventory of Groundwater Research, which acts not only as a knowledge repository but also as a tool to help identify relevant research topics, existing research trends and critical research challenges. The metadata included in the inventory at the end of the project are about 2300, and the analysis of the results is considered useful for producing synergies, implementing policies and optimising water management in Europe. Using the three-axes classification, occurrence and relationship of different topics in groundwater research have been highlighted. The EIGR inventory is a powerful and useful took for sharing information and data about groundwater issues following the FAIR principle, in agreement with an ethical approach.