A Framework for FAIR and CLEAR Ecological Data and Knowledge: Semantic Units for Synthesis and Causal Modelling
Ecological research increasingly relies on integrating heterogeneous datasets and knowledge to explain and predict complex phenomena. Yet, differences in data types, terminology, and documentation often hinder interoperability, reuse, and causal understanding. We present the Semantic Units Framework, a novel, domain-agnostic semantic modelling approach applied here to ecological data and knowledge in compliance with the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and CLEAR (Cognitively interoperable, semantically Linked, contextually Explorable, easily Accessible, human-Readable and -interpretable) Principles. The framework models data and knowledge as modular, logic-aware semantic units: single propositions (statement units) or coherent groups of propositions (compound units). Statement units can model measurements, observations, or universal relationships, including causal ones, and link to methods and evidence. Compound units group related statement units into reusable, semantically coherent knowledge objects. Implemented using RDF, OWL, and knowledge graphs, semantic units can be serialized as FAIR Digital Objects with persistent identifiers, provenance, and semantic interoperability. We show how universal statement units build ecological causal networks, which can be composed into causal maps and perspective-specific subnetworks. These support causal reasoning, confounder detection (back-door), effect identification with unobserved confounders (front-door), application of do-calculus, and alignment with Bayesian networks, structural equation models, and structural causal models. By linking fine-grained empirical data to high-level causal reasoning, the Semantic Units Framework provides a foundation for ecological knowledge synthesis, evidence annotation, cross-domain integration, reproducible workflows, and AI-ready ecological research.