Multifunctional Data in a Multifunctional Landscape - A Concept Paper for Cross-Community Research Data Management for Near-Surface Geophysical Data

Near-surface geophysical data play a crucial role in multiple scientific domains, including precision agriculture, archaeological prospecting, and Earth System Sciences. Although the methodology and sensor technology used is often similar or even the same, data processing methodologies, (meta)data handling and long-term archiving practices remain highly fragmented. This limits cross-domain research data interoperability, comparability, accessibility, and reusability. To address these challenges, this approach seeks to integrate efforts across three key NFDI consortia: FAIRagro, NFDI4Objects, and NFDI4Earth. The primary objective of this initiative is to develop a harmonized framework for geophysical data workflows, ensuring FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles are consistently applied across disciplines. By leveraging expertise from agricultural research (FAIRagro), archaeology and cultural heritage protection (NFDI4Objects) and environmental and Earth System Sciences (NFDI4Earth), this initiative will help to establish workflows for standardized data formats and metadata schemas, and best practices for geophysical data handling. Additionally, it will foster interoperability between existing research infrastructures and promote sustainable data management. Hence, this approach aligns with the overarching goals of the NFDI by enhancing data accessibility and reusability, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting data-driven research.