FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 1 World Data Centers Presented by Christopher G. Fox Acting Director, World Data Center for Marine Geology and Geophysics, Boulder, CO

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 2 World Data Centers… …were created nearly 50 years ago, after the IGY, to manage geophysical and solar data on a global scale …operate under the guidance of an ICSU (International Council for Science) panel …are supported by host nations …archive and disseminate data and information

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 3 WDC principles “Full and Open Access” “WDCs will provide data to scientists in any country free of charge or at a cost not to exceed the cost of copying and sending the requested data.” “WDCs operate … for the benefit of the international scientific community and provide a mechanism for international exchange of data in all disciplines related to the Earth, its environment, and the Sun.”

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 4 WDC Guiding Principles Open to all scientists Non-discriminatory access to data Data exchanged free or for the cost of copying and dissemination Host institutions support long-term operations –In USA - Coordinated by NAS; host institutions are NOAA, NASA, USGS, US Navy, DOE, Columbia University, University of Colorado; Similar in China and Russia. –In Europe and Japan, institutions desiring to join the WDC system apply to ICSU through the national representatives

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 5 The Centers Originally were focused on physical sciences: –Solar-terrestrial, geomagnetism, oceanography, meteorology, glaciology Centers today are more broadly environmental: –Soils –Climate & paleoclimate –Biodiversity & ecology –Human interactions in the environment –Land processes 51 centers in 12 countries

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 6

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 7 Benefits of WDC System Current: –Scientist-to-scientist interaction (instead of country-to-country) Facilitates data exchanges which might not normally occur –International coordination and cooperation in the compilation of databases –Long-term preservation and curation of data sets Future: –Consistent level of capability using modern data management techniques –Adherence to National and International standards –International (digital) network of data centers

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 8 WDC Panel, March 2007 Jean-Bernard Minster, Scripps Institution of Oceanography - Chair Hartmut Grassl, Max Planck Institute for Meteorology – Vice Chair David Clark, NOAA/NGDC –Secretary Michael Chinnery, Treasurer Takashi Watanabe, Ibaraki University – Japan Representative Gennady Sobolev, Russian Academy of Sciences – Russia Representative SUN Honglie, Chinese Academy of Sciences – China Representative Ferris Webster, University of Delaware – US Representative

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 9 Today’s challenges for WDCs Meet new scientific & societal needs –The WDCs can focus on long-term data on environmental processes and their interaction with human systems –However, some types of data needed for this are not yet covered by this or any other network Build the capacity to manage and archive scientific data throughout the world –Nearly all centers are in developed countries –In the Northern Hemisphere

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 10 Strategies to meet the challenges Extend the network –New centers, partner sites Modernize –Exploit new technology Ensure data stewardship –Long-term archiving, data rescue Improve communication and collaboration –Liaisons with key international science programs

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 11 Extend the network WDCs can serve as a bridge –Once bridged between East & West –Today, the challenge is to bridge between North & South –Most data are collected by scientists in developed countries Add new centers or partners in emerging countries –Mirror sites in Russia, England, South Africa, France, China, India –Partners sites (mirror sites that have added local content) have been established in Kenya, Argentina –(Mirror sites are technical; partner sites involve local scientists)

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 12 WDC World-wide Connectivity Space Environment Paleoclimatology WDC Home Pages Space Environment WDC Home Pages Space Environment Paleoclimatology Space Environment Paleoclimatology WDC Home Pages = “Mirror” and Partner Sites established by WDCs Paleoclimatology Space Environment April 2007

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 13 Modernize the System Technology enables WDCs to work better –There remains a technological gap between many of the WDCs –Some WDCs need hardware, software, training Data directory and catalogue –Help users find data Interoperability –Exploit new technology for storage, communication, data entry, display –Adopt and implement common standards Formal periodic review process (US, China, Japan, Russia, Europe) should be sustained.

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 14 Ensure data stewardship Manage data from new observing programs –Develop strategies to manage data from new observing systems Assure long-term archiving –Assure preservation of data for the next generations of scientists –A test: can data be used effectively 20 years later? –Maintain complete and accurate metadata Establish a process to prioritize data rescue –“At risk” data collections (old paper records, private collections, old digital tapes, etc…)

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 15 Communication & collaboration Establish liaisons with major international scientific programs –GEO/GEOSS, IGBP, WCRP, IPY, eGY Visiting scientist programs Strengthen sense of community among the centers –There are major differences in the capability among centers in different parts of the world –Improve communication between centers –Not all regions can use the Internet effectively

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 16 ICSU Priority Assessment Area for Scientific Data and Information Establish a Strategic Data and Information Committee –Develop a long term integrated framework for data and information –Establish a Scientific Data and Information Forum (SciDIF) Recommendations for the World Data Centers –Implementation of new data management technologies –Adaptation to new scientific data collection methods –Relevance to existing ICSU programs –Relevance to new programs including GEO/GEOSS, IPY and eGY

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 17 Strategic Committee on Information and Data (SCID) Taking the report of the CSPR Assessment Panel on Scientific Data and Information as its starting point, and in the light of developments subsequent to that report: –Guide and oversee the reform of the World Data Centre (WDC) system and Federation of Astronomical and Geophysical data analysis Services (FAGS); –Liaise with CODATA in the development of its strategic plan; –Advise CSPR on any other actions that might be appropriate for ICSU to consider in order to facilitate a coordinated global approach to scientific data and information, including the potential need for a Scientific Data and Information Forum (SciDIF).

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 18 A look to the future Emerging environment for international collaboration and data exchange through GEO/GEOSS. GEO/GEOSS enhances the motivations originally set forth by the IGY in 1957 Offers a unique opportunity in coming years

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 19 WDC Directors Conference Bremen, Germany, May Attendance by WDC Directors, and many others (ICSU, GEO, CODATA, National Data Center Directors, etc.) Agenda updated and refined by WDC Panel meeting, included splinter group sessions on: –Data quality and accessibility (open access) –Networking (infrastructures) –WDCs and GEOSS –Support of IPY Closer coordination with FAGS and CODATA; Seek participation of southern hemisphere collaborators

FAGS Meeting, April 2, 2007 J.B. Minster 20 Questions?