Improving Earth Observation Methodology (EGIDA)

Overview

To understand EGIDA, a brief background on GEOSS is necessary. GEOSS is a 10-year program to build a worldwide observation system of interlinked Earth observation systems—a system of systems. When completed, GEOSS is expected to contribute enormous amounts of observational data in nine “societal benefit areas” including disasters, health, energy, climate, water, weather, ecosystems, agriculture and biodiversity. GEOSS should provide a much clearer picture of the Earth’s systems and how they are changing.

The efforts to build GEOSS are being coordinated by GEO, the Group on Earth Observations, which is a partnership of governments and international organizations that provides a framework for developing GEOSS.

To function efficiently, GEOSS must have a standardized methodology for all users, and that is what is being developed by the EGIDA project. EGIDA should improve the creation and management of science and technology infrastructures–everything from sensors to environmental modeling programs—to insure GEOSS is supported by the best science.

Some of the new methodology is being transferred to research organizations in the Balkan and Mediterranean regions to determine if it can successfully link those organizations to GEOSS.

IIASA Research

IIASA researchers are working to identify the most relevant science and technology communities that are lacking significant links to GEO or GEOSS. The researchers are also proposing a GEOSS data citation standard which is consistent with the emerging international consensus on data citation rules.

Last edited: 21 June 2012