Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #7:A Spatial Data Infrastructure for Polar Science: A Framework for Organization and Outreach  (Polar Science SDI)

Outline
The aim of our project is to contribute to the development of an infrastructure that will enable the open, free, and unrestricted access to data and information generated through the IPY programme. We will pursue this aim through two initiatives. The primary initiative proposed is the development of an interconnected Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) containing data for each of the polar regions. This SDI will enable researchers to access, combine, and manipulate data sets in new ways, leading to advanced understanding of complex phenomena. The second, related initiative is to promote education and outreach by making the findings from IPY accessible to a wide range of participants via an online Atlas about the polar regions (The Atlas). Our project will span the two-year observation period of IPY (1 March 2007 – 1 March 2009). The members of the Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre (GCRC) recognize the importance of a data management plan for ensuring that the knowledge and observations realized from IPY become a legacy for future generations. We have significant experience in data management planning through international collaboration to establish a SDI for the Antarctic region (including the Southern Ocean to the Antarctic convergence). The Antarctic SDI, formally supported by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), will use an interoperable network linking existing databases. The SDI will provide data management support, Internet-based data discovery services, and spatial data viewing services. In recent years, we have established working relationships with international organizations that have agreed to provide data, and have researched and addressed issues related to data sharing, such as interoperability. We will work closely on SDI development with the Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management (JCADM) and the SCAR Expert Group on Geographic Information. To ensure that the SDI components for the two Polar Regions are compatible, we will collaborate and coordinate efforts with other geoscientific information management initiatives, including the developing Electronic Geophysical Year (eGY) initiative and the Circumarctic Environmental Observatories Network/ARCUS (Arctic Research Consortium of the United States). An on-line atlas developed on a SDI can provide a valuable mechanism that allows experts and non-experts alike to access information. We are currently developing such an atlas for the Antarctic region through an initiative funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada. This atlas is being developed through international partnerships and is entitled the Cybercartographic Atlas of Antarctica (CAA)(http://www.carleton.ca/gcrc/caap). This work would be extended to include both polar regions.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
An integrated SDI will enable researchers to ask and answer questions related to the first four themes identified by IPY. Effective data management will provide researchers with timely access to data and advanced tools for searching, merging, analyzing, and visualizing. The SDI will also ensure a data legacy by directing metadata, reporting, and archiving practices. The Atlas provides an approach for education and outreach. It builds on an existing infrastructure of human networks and tools. The Atlas will raise public awareness of the importance of the polar regions and will attract the next generation of polar researchers

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Confirmed Partners Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management (JCADM) SCAR Expert Group on Geographic Information Group of Experts World Data Centre for Glaciology (United States) Circumarctic Environmental Observatories Network (United States) Potential Partners: eGY Initiative (International) British Antarctic Survey (United Kingdom)

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Data infrastructure development requires the acquisition of various technologies (i.e. servers) and the establishment of suitable human resources. New resources will be added to existing infrastructure of software, hardware and expertise.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes, the proposed SDI will ensure the availability of data for future generations through strict control of metadata, reporting, and archiving practices. The Atlas will provide ongoing, standards-based access to data and information held within the SDI.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project has been endorsed in principle by the Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management and the SCAR Expert Group on Geographic Information. This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Database Management

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
yes

In addition to continuing the CAA project, the initiative will be integrated with other international programs including the work of the JCADM, SCAR EGGI, and proposed IPY projects such as the Arctic Spatial Data Infrastructure and the International Polar Year (IPY) Data and Information Service (DIS) for Distributed Data Management.

How will the project be organised and managed?
A management committee will interact with international partners, members of the science community, representatives from the general public and other stakeholders. Project goals, objectives and deliverables will be established in consultation with the international community. Working groups will be formed to address issues identified through management committee activities and execute established workplans. Working group topics may include: ensuring data quality, effective archiving, and enabling access to distributed data resources. Recommendations and activities of the working groups would be published on an internet-based portal integrated with the overall IPY management structure.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We are developing an on-line Cybercartographic Atlas of Antarctica that will provide experts and non-experts access to information on a variety of topics. As part of this proposal, we will continue to expand the Atlas after its public release in 2006 to highlight major scientific findings of IPY for both polar regions.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management is central to this proposal. Activities related to data management include developing policies, data formats and standards, and data directories. Building on existing partnerships and projects will ensure early availability of project data.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding for this proposal is under development. Sources to funding to be investigated include: Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Other government agencies Private sector contributions

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr  D. R. Fraser Taylor
Geomatics and Cartographic Research Centre
Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario
K1S 5B6
Canada

Tel: 613-520-2600 ext. 8232
Mobile: no
Fax: 613-520-2395
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation