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GOSIC Review
Yves M. Tourre
The GOSIC Review Team, met at the College of Marine Studies, University of Delaware, Lewes, 23-24 April, 2001.
The members of the review team were:
- Howard Diamond, NOAA/NESDIS, Representing AOPC/GCOS
- David McGuirk, Representing WMO/GCOS
- Rick Leemans, RIVM, Representing GTOS
- Dick Olson, ORNL, representing GTOS
- Yves Tourre (Chair), LDEO of Columbia University, Representing OOPC/GOOS
- Matthew Howard, Texas A&M University, representing COOP/GOOS
Other participants were:
- Ferris Webster, U. of Delaware, GOSIC staff
- Doug White, U. of Delaware, GOSIC staff
- Ron Wilson, U. of Delaware, GOSIC staff
- Gerard Servin, FAO, Observer
Day One, April 22nd
The terms of reference for the team were discussed first. Then the GOSIC staff presented the objectives and strategies of GOSIC. Ferris Webster talked about the GOSIC history, including the Joint Data and Information Management Panel (JDIMP) and the proposal which had been submitted to the Climate Change Data and Detection Program Element (Climate and Global Change Program/NOAA). Ron Wilson presented the GOSIC data management strategy. It was noted that no formal guidance had been given to GOSIC since 1997. The different items were discussed appropriately until the review team had its first executive session in the afternoon. During that session initial recommendations were discussed while additional questions to GOSIC staff were prepared.
Day Two,(April 23rd)
The review team met with GOSIC staff again. The second executive session of the review team took place after the morning coffee break. The final recommendations with priorities were put together for submission to the 3 GSCs. The review adjourned at 12 :30pm.
On behalf of the review team, I would like to thank Ferris Webster and his colleagues and staff for the excellent facilities and accommodations they all provided during the meeting. Evaluation and recommendations follow.
General Statement
- Considering its mission, GOSIC is a ‘unique central entry and integrating point' for the 3 Observing Systems : GOOS, GCOS, and GTOS. As such GOSIC, still in its growing phase, must continue its functions.
- The resources made available to GOSIC should better match the proposed task.
- Each system should appoint a data coordinator. The 3 data coordinators could then serve as points of contact for GOSIC.
- Scientific panels from the 3 G’s must provide points of contact (which might be different from their data coordinators) for GOSIC to assess the relevance of 3 G’s data sets.
- Insure that the relevant 3 G’s data sets are also highlighted as such in the Global Change Master Directory (GCMD).
Specific Recommendations to the 3-G’s Steering Committees and GOSIC
To: Prof. Paul J. MASON (Chair, GCOS/SC, pjmason@meto.gov.uk), Dr. Worth Nowlin ( Chair, GOOS/SC wnowlin@tamu.edu), Dr. Jim Gosz (Chair, GTOS /SC, jgosz@sevilleta.unm.edu)
The 17 recommendations, ranked by priorities, address 3 different sectors, namely:
- Direction and Communication with the 3-G’s observing systems (DC)
- Improving and implementing the GOSIC Website to facilitate communication with users (GW)
- Outreach and Visibility (OV)
High Priority
- (DC) Needs and desires for more oversight, such as quarterly review of the GOSIC website.
- (DC) Contact data-persons from the scientific panels of the 3-G’s observing systems for approval of data sets
- (GW) Easy access to data :
- Shortcuts to access data.
- Standardized data for diagrams
- (GW) Design a simple, efficient and user-friendly web site with an on-line guided tour
- (GW) Ensure that data sets are registered as relevant (partly under the responsibility of the data-coordinators of the 3-G’s observing systems). Flag data sets when relevant in other directories, such as GCMD.
- (OV) Special efforts in public relations and outreach, and ensure the proper high-level linkages between the three observing systems web sites.
Medium Priority
- (DC) Identify and establish liaison with data centers :
- Data coordinators from the 3 G’s observing systems
- (GW) Data Centers web pages linked to GOSIC web page
- (GW) Data flow monitoring explained through a summary page (actual information could be generated elsewhere) :
- Lists of best practices for data-flow management
- Incite the different monitoring programs and services to provide such information
- (GW) Provide an integrated overview of the 3 G’s observing systems
- (GW) Obtain detailed statistics about web site visitors and users :
- Define performance measures of GOSIC (task of a review group).
- How many data sets should be included? How does this grow? Where do the hits come from (national/international domains)?
- (OV) Identify a long-term home for GOSIC and start to prepare for the transition.
- (OV) Identify a long-term home for GOSIC and start to prepare for the transition.
- (OV) Promote the proper connections and partnerships of the 3 G’s observing systems (shared data, list of variables, etc.) :
- List and description of acronyms
- Glossary of variables and terms used in the 3 G’s observing systems
- (OV) Seek international funding sources (e.g. IGFA), especially during the operational phase.
Low Priority
- (OV) Maps and pictures of sample products and instruments, such as :
- Users oriented specific products showing or not climate changes?
- Some of the underlying data from the observing networks displayed on maps.
- Pictures of some observing instruments and equipment
- (GW) Consider other languages than English for such an international site
- (GW) Consider other languages than English for such an international site
- (GW) Improve the accessibility for all users (including handicapped people)
- (OV) Define the user community:
- Try to serve not only scientists but integrating researchers, assessors, policy developers and others
Finally and as stated above, it is agreed that GOSIC should continue its development for another 3 years. At that time when the GOSIC operational state is reached, its activities should be transferred progressively to an operational Agency.
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