Animal Traceability Ontology (ATO) for Botswana

This paper presents the development of an ontology-driven framework for animal traceability, focusing on enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of traceability systems in Botswana. The study outlines a systematic approach to ontology development, which includes key phases such as knowledge acquisition, conceptualization, and implementation. Knowledge was acquired through interviews, questionnaires, and literature review, targeting key stakeholders involved in animal traceability. The conceptualization phase involved organizing this knowledge into structured models, including taxonomies, concept dictionaries, and relational tables, to define entities, relationships, and constraints relevant to the traceability domain. The ontology integrates various components, such as identification, tracking, and traceability, to ensure comprehensive coverage of the domain. By facilitating interoperability, knowledge extraction, and data sharing across different platforms, the ontology enhances the reusability and standardization of traceability data. The results demonstrate the ontology's capability to accurately represent real-world practices and support regulatory compliance, ultimately contributing to more effective monitoring and management of animal health and movement. This research provides a foundational framework that can be adapted and applied to similar contexts, offering valuable insights into the design and implementation of ontology-driven traceability systems in other regions and sectors.本论文阐述了面向动物溯源的本体（Ontology）驱动框架的研发过程，重点聚焦于提升博茨瓦纳境内溯源系统的运行效率与准确性。本研究提出了一套系统化的本体研发路径，涵盖知识获取、概念化与落地实施等核心阶段。研究通过访谈、问卷调研与文献综述的方式开展知识获取工作，受访对象为动物溯源领域的关键利益相关方。概念化阶段负责将上述知识整理为结构化模型，包括分类体系、概念词典与关系表，用以明确定义溯源领域内的实体、关系与约束条件。该本体整合了标识、追踪与溯源等多个核心模块，以确保对该领域的全面覆盖。通过促进不同平台间的互操作性、知识抽取与数据共享，该本体可提升溯源数据的可复用性与标准化水平。研究结果表明，该本体能够精准还原现实业务场景，并支撑合规性要求，最终助力实现动物健康与流通的高效监测与管理。本研究构建了一套基础性框架，可针对不同应用场景进行适配与推广，为其他地区与行业的本体驱动溯源系统的设计与落地提供了极具价值的参考思路。