Global Earth Observation System of Systems

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The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) is being built by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) on the basis of a 10-Year Implementation Plan running from 2005 to 2015.[1] GEOSS seeks to connect the producers of environmental data and decision-support tools with the end users of these products, with the aim of enhancing the relevance of Earth observations to global issues. The end result is to be a global public infrastructure that generates comprehensive, near-real-time environmental data, information and analyses for a wide range of users.

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[edit] Earth observation systems

Earth observation systems consist of instruments and models designed to measure, monitor and predict the physical, chemical and biological aspects of the Earth system. Buoys floating in the oceans monitor temperature and salinity; meteorological stations and balloons record air quality and rainwater trends; sonar and radar systems estimate fish and bird populations; seismic and Global Positioning System (GPS) stations record movements in the Earth’s crust and interior; some 60-plus high-tech environmental satellites scan the planet from space; powerful computerized models generate simulations and forecasts; and early warning systems issue alerts to vulnerable populations.

These various systems have typically operated in isolation from one another. In recent years, however, sophisticated new technologies for gathering vast quantities of near-real-time and high-resolution Earth observation data have become operational. At the same time, improved forecasting models and decision-support tools are increasingly allowing decision makers and other users of Earth observations to fully exploit this widening stream of information.

With investments in Earth observations now reaching a critical mass, it has become possible to link diverse observing systems together to paint a full picture of the Earth’s condition. Because the costs and logistics of expanding Earth observations are daunting for any single nation, linking systems together through international cooperation also offers cost savings.

[edit] Implementing GEOSS

As a networked system, GEOSS is owned by all of the GEO Members and Participating Organizations. Partners maintain full control of the components and activities that they contribute to the system of systems. [2] Implementation is being pursued through a Work Plan consisting of over 70 tasks. Each task supports one of the nine societal-benefit or four transverse areas and is carried out by interested Members and Participating Organizations. Governments and organizations have also advanced GEOSS by contributing a variety of “Early Achievements”; these “First 100 Steps to GEOSS” were presented to the 2007 Cape Town Ministerial Summit.

Interlinking observation systems requires common standards for architecture and data sharing. The architecture of an Earth observation system refers to the way in which its components are designed so that they function as a whole. Each GEOSS component must be included in the GEOSS registry and configured so that it can communicate with the other participating systems. In addition, each contributor to GEOSS must subscribe to the GEO data-sharing principles, which aim to ensure the full and open exchange of data, metadata and products. These issues are fundamental to the successful operation of GEOSS. [3] [4] [5] [6]

GEOSS will disseminate information and analyses directly to users. GEO is developing the GEOPortal as a single Internet gateway to the data produced by GEOSS. The purpose of GEOPortal is to make it easier to integrate diverse data sets, identify relevant data and portals of contributing systems, and access models and other decision-support tools. For users without good access to high-speed internet, GEO has established GEONETCast, a system of four communications satellites that transmit data to low-cost receiving stations maintained by the users. [7]

[edit] User groups

The growing demand for Earth observation data and information is the driving force behind GEOSS. The GEOSS Implementation Plan identifies nine distinct groups of users and uses, which it calls “Societal Benefit Areas”. The nine areas are disasters, health, energy, climate, water, weather, ecosystems, agriculture and biodiversity. Current and potential users include decision makers in the public and private sectors, resource managers, planners, emergency responders and scientists. [8] [9] [10] [11]

[edit] GEO Members (73)

[edit] GEO Participating Organizations (52)

AARSE: African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment
ADIE: Association for the Development of Environmental Information
APN: Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research
Cathalac: Water Center for the Humid Tropics of Latin America and the Caribbean
CEOS: Committee on Earth Observation Satellites
CGMS: Coordination Group for Meteorological Satellites
CMO: Caribbean Meteorological Organization
COSPAR: Committee on Space Research
DIVERSITAS
ECMWF: European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts
EEA: European Environmental Agency
EIS-AFRICA: Environmental Information Systems - AFRICA
ESA: European Space Agency
ESEAS: European Sea Level Service
EUMETNET: Network of European Meteorological Services/Composite Observing System
EUMETSAT: European Organization for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites
EuroGeoSurveys: The Association of the Geological Surveys of the European Union
FAO: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FDSN: Federation of Digital Broad-Band Seismograph Networks
GBIF: Global Biodiversity Information Facility
GCOS: Global Climate Observing System
GSDI: Global Spatial Data Infrastructure
GOOS: Global Ocean Observing System
GTOS: Global Terrestrial Observing System
IAG: International Association of Geodesy
ICSU: International Council for Science
IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IGBP: International Geosphere-Biosphere Program
IGFA: International Group of Funding Agencies for Global Change Research
IGOS-P: Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership
IHO: International Hydrographic Organization
IISL: International Institute for Space Law
INCOSE: International Council on Systems Engineering
IO3C: International Ozone Commission
IOC: Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
ISCGM: International Steering Committee for Global Mapping
ISDR: International Strategy for Disaster Reduction
ISPRS: International Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing
OGC: Open Geospatial Consortium
POGO: Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean
SICA/CCAD: Central American Commission for the Environment and Development
SOPAC: South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission
UNCBD: United Nations Convention on Biodiversity
UNEP: United Nations Environment Programme
UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
UNFCCC: United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
UNITAR: United Nations Institute for Training and Research
UNOOSA: United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs
UNU-EHS: United Nations University, Institute for Environment and Human Security
WCRP: World Climate Research Programme
WFPHA: World Federation of Public Health Associations
WMO: World Meteorological Organization

[edit] External links

Group on Earth Observations (http://www.earthobservations.org)
List of web sites of GEO Participating Organizations
(http://www.earthobservations.org/ag_partorg.shtml)
Canadian Group on Earth Observations (http://www.cgeo-gcot.gc.ca/)
German GEO (http//:www.d-geo.de/index_en.htm)
European Commission – (http://ec.europa.eu/research/environment/geo/article_2446_en.htm)
Europe GMES (http://www.gmes.info/)
The Netherlands and GEO (http://geo.aardobservatie.nl/)
US GEO (http://usgeo.gov/)
US NOAA (http://www.noaa.gov/eos.html)
US EPA (http://www.epa.gov/geoss/)


[edit] References

  1. ^ US Environmental Protection Agency [1]
  2. ^ European Commission[2]
  3. ^ Directions Magazine [3]
  4. ^ Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers [4]
  5. ^ GEOSS Registries [5]
  6. ^ Reuters [6]
  7. ^ Associated Press [7]
  8. ^ Global Biodiversity Information Facility [8]
  9. ^ GEO Energy Community of Practice [9]
  10. ^ Reuters [10]
  11. ^ The Christian Science Monitor [11]