Figure 2.

Graphic displaying the flow of NEON data from the point of collection to the point of publication. Data are either entered into data entry applications by NEON field technicians or uploaded directly by contracting laboratories, such as the facilities in which taxonomic identification and pathogen testing occur. When these data are returned to NEON Headquarters, they are interpreted by the parser. The parser performs automated quality control checks for data validation, such as ensuring that a sample returned with pathogen testing data already has a matching sample with the identification data in the database. Each NEON protocol has its own set of machine-readable instructions for data validations. NEON scientists are notified when data are rejected, allowing review of the issue. After passing through the parser, data enter the processed data repository from where they are published to the portal and freely accessible to end users.