"Why we need a centralized repository for isotopic data" is a multi-authored paper that has resulted from the interdisciplinary collaboration of researchers using stable isotope data in biology, geology, ecology, archaeology, paleontology, and other areas. Published in PNAS, the paper argues that there is now a need for a globally support, open access linked database for stable isotope data akin to GenBank (the global repository for DNA data). This paper resulted from a workshop held at La Sevilleta Field Station at the Unviersity of New Mexico last spring and represents the beginning of efforts to start up "IsoBank". You can read more about the discussion surrounding IsoBank and the Neotoma stable isotope database here.
