The European Commission & GEOSS: Articulating EU marine observation and infrastructure and Global Earth Observations

Marine Research Infrastructure Expert Group Meeting

Brussels, 4 March 2011

Alan Edwards Earth Observation Sector, Environment Directorate DG R&I

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Contents

• GEO* and GEOSS** Overview• EU funded projects in support of GEOSS• GEO Work Plan Tasks• GEO Communities of Practice

* GEO: Group on Earth Observations** GEOSS: Global Earth Observation System of Systems

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The Earth is a complex system of systems…

…requiring data from many observation systems

General Need for GEOSS

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GEO is an intergovernmental organization with 85 member countries, the European Commission and 61 participating organizations.

GEO

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• 10-Year Implementation Plan (Endorsed by 2005 GEO Ministerial)

• EO Ministerial Summit (~ every 2 years)

• GEO Plenary (annually) (co-chaired by RSA, EC, USA and

PRC)• Executive Committee (13 Members)• Secretariat (~ 20 staff in Geneva)• Committees and Working Groups

GEO Governance Structure

GEO Secretariat is located at WMO Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland

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GEOSS: Its Vision and Purpose(from the GEOSS Strategic Targets)

• The vision for GEOSS is to realize a future wherein decisions and actions for the benefit of humankind are informed by coordinated, comprehensive and sustained Earth observations and information.

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GEOSS: Its Vision and Purpose(from the GEOSS Strategic Targets)

• The purpose of GEOSS is to achieve (these) observations of the Earth system, in order to improve monitoring of the state of the Earth, increase understanding of Earth processes, and enhance prediction of the behaviour of the Earth system. GEOSS will meet the need for timely, quality long-term global information as a basis for sound decision making, and will enhance delivery of benefits to society

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(Selected) GEO Strategic Goals• Sustain the operation of comprehensive and

coordinated space-based, airborne and in situ Earth observation networks that meet user requirements in support of informed decision making;

• Sustain operations of the shared architectural GEOSS components and related information infrastructure;

• Address the need for timely, global and open data sharing across borders and disciplines, to maximize the value and benefit of Earth observation investments.

• Implement interoperability amongst observational, modelling, data assimilation and prediction systems;

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GEOSS Infrastructure

Represents a COLOSSAL

investment by GEO Members &

PO in EO systems. (Many 10’s of billions.)

Delivers major societal benefits to USERS, e.g.:

scientists,policy makers, the commercial

sector & citizens

Enables GEOSS resources to be

readily discovered and accessed

Provides improved interoperability

Delivers trusted data & information

Is "Open”, in accordance with Data

Sharing Principles

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The Tower of Babel There is a need to freely & openly share Earth observation data inter-operably

GEOSS Architecture • GEOSS Architecture will Provide Systems

Interoperability and Easier and More Open Data Access

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• There will be full and open exchange of data, metadata and products shared within GEOSS, recognizing relevant international instruments and national policies and legislation.

• All shared data, metadata and products will be made available with minimum time delay and at minimum cost.

• All shared data, metadata and products being free of charge or no more than cost of reproduction will be encouraged for research and education.

GEO Data Sharing Principles

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GEONETCast: Cost-effective and User Friendly

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• Provide easy access to as much data and as many people as possible

• Disseminate space-based, air-borne and in situ data, metadata and products to diverse users

WMO

Contributors

EUMETSAT

CMA OthersGlobal Coverage

GEONETCast: Global Coverage and Data from and for Diverse Societal Benefit Area

NOAA

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DisastersReducing loss of life and

property from natural and human induced

disasters. EnergyImproving management of

energy resources.

WeatherImproving weather information,

forecasting and warning.

ClimateUnderstanding, predicting, mitigating and adapting to

climate variability and change.

WaterImproving water resource

management through better

understanding of the water cycle.

EcosystemsImproving the management and protection of terrestrial,

coastal and marine ecosystems.

AgricultureSupporting sustainable

agriculture and combating desertification.

BiodiversityUnderstanding, monitoring and conserving biodiversity.

HealthUnderstanding environmental

factors affecting human health and well being.

GEOSS will address & serve 9 Societal Benefit Areas

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Status of EU “direct”(*) research actions

in support of GEOSS Implementation* What is presented here represents a subset of the EU

contribution to GEO / GEOSS. (E.g., there is no ref. to GMES, INFSO, Infrastructure projects, etc., etc.)

The projects shown are funded within the framework of the “Earth and ocean observation systems and monitoring methods for the environment and sustainable development” of the Environment Theme of the current EU Research Framework Programme.

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TRANSVERSE GEOSS (GEOSS Building Blocks)

EU “EO” Research Projects

ARCHITECTURE EuroGEOSS (08)GEOVIQUA (10)FP7 Call 2011

ARCHITECTURE EuroGEOSS (08)GEOVIQUA (10)FP7 Call 2011

DATA MANAGEMENT

FP7 Call 2011

DATA MANAGEMENT

FP7 Call 2011

CAPACITY BUILDING YEOS (2006)

DevCocast (2007)AEGOS (2007)

EnviroGRIDS (2008)SEOCA (2009)

GEONETCAB (2009)BalkanGEONet (10)

OBSERVE (10)Call 2011

CAPACITY BUILDING YEOS (2006)

DevCocast (2007)AEGOS (2007)

EnviroGRIDS (2008)SEOCA (2009)

GEONETCAB (2009)BalkanGEONet (10)

OBSERVE (10)Call 2011

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

EGIDA (10)GfG2 (10)

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

EGIDA (10)GfG2 (10)

USER ENGAGEMENTGeoBene (06)EUGENE (09)

USER ENGAGEMENTGeoBene (06)EUGENE (09)

(GEOLOGY)AEGOS (07)(GEOLOGY)AEGOS (07)

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9 GEOSS Societal Benefit Areas

Disaster

Health Energy

Climate

Water Weather

Ecosystem

Agriculture

Biodiversity

EO2HEAVEN (09)EO-MINERS (09)Impact Min (09)GMOS (10)

EnerGEO(08)

COCOS(07)EuroSITES(07)ACOBAR (07)EUGENE (09)ERACLIM (10)

Call 2011

CEOP-AEGIS(07)HYPOX(08)

EUGENE (09)

e-SOTER (07)EnviroGRIDS(08)HYPOX(08)EO-MINERS (09)Impact Min (09)

EBONE (07)EUGENE (09)

Call 2011

EU “EO” Research Projects

Call 2011

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2009-2011 GEO WORK PLANThe 2009-2011 Work Plan provides the agreed framework for implementing the GEOSS10-Year Implementation Plan (2005-2015).

As GEOSS takes shape over the next several years, connections will be realized between diverse observing, processing, data-assimilation, modelling, and information-dissemination systems. This will make it possible to obtain a dramatically increased range of data sets, products and services on the key aspects of the Earth system.

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09-11 GEO WORK PLAN: Marine Tasks*EC-09-01: Ecosystem Observation and Monitoring Network

a) Ecosystem Classification and Mappingb) Ecosystem Functions and Servicesc) Regional Networks for EcosystemsBI-07-01: Developing a Global Biodiversity Observation

Networka) Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON)b) Invasive Species Monitoring Systemc) Capturing Historical and New Biodiversity DataCL-06-01: A Climate Record for Assessing Variability and

ChangeCL-09-02: Accelerating the Implementation of the Global

Climate Observing SystemCL-09-03: Global Carbon Observation and Analysis SystemAG-06-02: Data Utilization in Fisheries and Aquaculture

*The tasks listed represent a subset of those relevant to marine research activities.

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09-11 GEO WORK PLAN: Marine Tasks*AR-09-02: Interoperable Systems for GEOSS

a) Virtual Constellations (Ocean Surface Topography; Ocean Colour Radiometry; Ocean Surface Vector Winds)

c) Sensor Web Enablement for In-Situ Observing Network Facilitation

AR-09-03: Advocating for Sustained Observing Systemsc) Global Ocean Observation Systeme) Global Geodetic Observing System (GGOS)

CB-09-03: Building Institutional Capacity to Use Earth Obs.

d) Building Capacity for Operational Oceanography

DI-09-01: Systematic Monitoring for Geohazards Risk Assessment

b) Seismographic Networks Improvement and Coordination

*The tasks listed represent a subset of those relevant to marine research activities.

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GEO Communities of Practice (CoPs)

CoPs play a critical role in implementing GEO’s mission, connecting GEO to the broader scientific and user communities, and leveraging the synergies and potential that exist when groups and individuals collaborate toward a common goal.

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What is a GEO Community of Practice?

• A GEO Community of Practice is a self-organized group of people who commit to working together as part of GEO to foster application of Earth observations for societal benefit in their shared field of interest and expertise.

• GEO CoPs form when a critical mass of interest and commitment coalesces. GEO’s User Interface Committee formally recognizes and supports GEO’s CoPs.

• Work of GEO CoPs is funded by voluntary contributions from host organizations and by the in-kind contributions of their members.

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Existing GEO Community of Practices • Biodiversity

• Carbon• Coastal Zone• Energy• Forests• Geohazards• Global Agricultural Monitoring• Health and Environment• Integrated Global Water Cycle Observations

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Emerging GEO Community of Practices • Atmospheric Chemistry

• Cryosphere

• International Phenology Network

• Ocean Observations

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Ocean Observations GEO CoP I. Purpose (draft: still under discussion)

The OCEANOBS CoP will bring leaders from different observing system organisations together as a forum for improved coordination across observing systems.

The forum will be a CoP under GEO and will be a means for introducing GEOSS principles & goals into the oceans realm and for supporting the introduction of ocean requirements, obs & practices into GEOSS.

The CoP shall also address cross cutting issues impacting observing systems and their users, to define common monitoring strategies, scientific objectives and implementation strategies.

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Ocean Observations GEO CoP II. Objectives (draft: still under discussion)

1. Facilitate the enhanced international coordination of ocean observatories and observing programs and partnerships in regard to common monitoring goals and strategies, working through existing bodies and mechanisms wherever possible.

2. Support the implementation of GEOSS principles to improve and enable continuity of observing systems and open exchange of data and information.

3. Stimulate capacity building in ocean observations.

4. Give advice to the GEO on issues relating to observing the world oceans.

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Thanks for your Thanks for your attentionattention

For more information visit:www.earthobservations.org