Introduction
The
success of any research or monitoring programme rests on the
data products and services produced, and GOOS has recognized
this from the earliest planning stages.
The GOOS programme, however, offers new challenges to
traditional data collection and management practices, since
much of the data from the GOOS programme is delivered in
real-time or near-real time, and because GOOS is composed of
many on-going monitoring programmes having a variety of data
management systems. This
has led to a significant shift from the traditional design of
data management strategies, practices, and policies.
The
GOOS Data and Information Management Plan and Strategy is in
the final stages of preparation. For general
information, the introduction from the 3rd revision draft is
presented below:
"The
GOOS Data and Information Management System (DIMS) will be a
highly distributed system based on contributions by
operational agencies, data centres, and research organizations
in the oceanographic and meteorological communities. The
various programmes under development have different data and
information management strategies encompassing physical,
chemical, and biological observations observed in situ and
from satellites. The needs for additional measurements and
supporting data and information management systems are being
identified by science and data management panels as GOOS is
further developed. These requirements can not be foreseen in
detail at the present time although the general
characteristics of the systems can be described.
Initial
implementation of GOOS data and information management will be
accomplished in an iterative fashion by connecting existing
ocean observation programmes. This initial implementation is
called the Initial Operational System (IOS).
Because
of the diversity of the existing systems and the lack of
specific detail in regard to future requirements a centralized
data management system with strict control of formats, QA/QC
procedures, accuracy and precision standards, and data
products "certification" is not feasible for GOOS in
the near future. Thus the GOOS DIMP has been designed to
outline a set of guiding principles on data management
practices for the programmes contributing to GOOS, as does the
management plan structure used by the World Weather Watch and
GCOS.
In
addition to actually managing and moving the data and
information, there are two other important functions that must
be included in the design of the GOOS DIMS. There is a need to
connect these programmes and the participating data and
science centres under a unified and centralized information
services system, where information about the programmes and
observations may be obtained from a single source and where
access to the data holdings or holder is provided. The second
requirement is for carefully designed automated or at least
semi automated tracking of the data and information so that it
can be demonstrated that the system is working and if not
where the problems lie. This plan contains strategies to
address these needs.
The
plan is intended to be used by the science panels and data
managers from centres that will be providing services on
behalf of GOOS as a guide in planning the development and
implementation of the D&IM systems for the various
applications. It contains guidance and examples of successful
systems that now exist, details on the existing systems that
are now handling data, and contact information for the
existing centres to discuss joint ventures. The plan will be
read and used by persons in organizations not familiar with
international data management and needs to be relatively
complete in coverage.
It
is proposed here that implementation of the GOOS DIMS begin by
rationalizing and modifying the operation of the Initial
Observing System (IOS), where necessary, to conform to the
guidance and strategies of this plan. Then as GOOS is further
developed, mostly through the vehicle of pilot projects, the
data management requirements can be developed in parallel with
the new observation networks and with full understanding of
the specific details of the requirements."
Present
Structure
The data
and information management system for GOOS is still being
developed. At present, there are a number of
organisations and GOOS groups that have available data
products and services to which we provide links when
available. The Global Observing System Information
Center (see below) provides access to historical and
operational data sets. The GOOS Project Office, in
collaboration with IODE,
is working to develop a searchable, on-line directory of the
monitoring programmes and stations that contribute to
GOOS.
GOSIC
The
Global Observing System Information Center (GOSIC)
provides information on the observing requirements, the
operational data systems, and the access procedures for
finding and obtaining data and products of the G3OS. The G3OS
consists of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS),
the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS),
and the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS).
GOSIC is supported by the US National Aeronautics and Space
Administration and the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
Search GOSIC
holdings through NASA's Global Change Master Directory (GCMD)
System:
GOOS
Data Products and Services Links
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