ALBERT

Description: The past few decades have seen a marked acceleration in the amount of marine observation data derived using both in situ and remote sensing measurements. For example, high-frequency monitoring of key physical-chemical parameters has become an essential tool for assessing natural and human-induced changes in coastal waters as well as their consequences on society. The number and variety of data acquisition techniques require efficient methods of improving data availability. The challenge is to make ocean data available via interoperable portals, which facilitate data sharing according to Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) principles for producers and users. Ocean DAta Information and Services (ODATIS) aims to become a unique gateway to all French marine data, regardless of the discipline (e.g., physics, chemistry, biogeochemistry, biology, sedimentology). ODATIS is the ocean cluster of the Data Terra research infrastructure for Earth data, which relies on a network of data and service centers (DSC) supported by the major French oceanic research organizations (CNRS, CNES, Ifremer, IRD, SHOM; Marine Universities). ODATIS, through its components, is involved in European and international initiatives such as Copernicus, SeaDataCloud, and EMODnet. The first challenge of ODATIS is to catalog all open ocean and coastal data and facilitate data collection and access (discovery, visualization, extraction) through its web portal. A specific task is to develop tools for handling large amounts of data and generate products for policymakers, practitioners, and academics. This study presents the strategy used by ODATIS to implement the FAIR and CoreTrustSeal requirements in each of its DSCs and promote adherence within the scientific community (the main data producer) regarding the upload and/or use of data and suggestion of new products. A second challenge is to cover the end-user needs ranging from proximity to the producer to cross-analysis of data from all Earth compartments. This involves defining and organizing a classification of DSCs in the network, which will be developed within the framework of the French Data Terra research infrastructure, the only framework capable of providing the necessary IT and human resources.

Description: Report harmonization in data and data processing to facilitate the interoperability of the systems AtlantOS WP7 is dedicated to improve harmonization of data management procedures, and thereby improve the quality, interoperability and discoverability of data resources in AtlantOS. To improve harmonization, AtlantOS WP7 works on multiple levels; a) WP7 has identified selected areas, where significant improvements of interoperability can be obtained. This has resulted in the formulation of a common agreement stating a set of specific minimum standards, which shall ensure cross platform coherence. This includes minimum standards for use of identifiers for platforms and institutions, metadata including vocabularies, quality control and dissemination means. Furthermore, guidelines regarding DOI assignment, catalogue techniques and vocabulary use in AtlantOS have been formulated. b) AtlantOS has formulated and installed a Data Management Plan (DMP) setting the framework for handling and dissemination of AtlantOS data. This was the first step towards improved harmonization and includes an overview of the Data Landscape, prioritization of Essential Variables for AtlantOS, regulations regarding open access to data and recommendations on use of standards. c) AtlantOS WP7 is initiating investigations of the use of GEOSS services, both for technical broker solutions to improve harmonization as well as for dissemination of AtlantOS data resources in an interdisciplinary global context. d) AtlantOS is also working on improving the transcontinental data sharing. A workshop is planned for in 2017 specifically targeting improvement of transcontinental sharing of data from the Atlantic Ocean. We here present the preliminary incentives for improving the transatlantic collaboration.

Description: The H2020 AtlantOS project aims to optimize and enhance the Integrated Atlantic Ocean Observing System. One goal is to ensure that data from different and diverse in-situ observing Networks are readily accessible and useable to a wider community, including the international ocean science community and other stakeholders in this field. To achieve that, the strategy is to move towards an integrated data system within AtlantOS that harmonizes work flows, data processing and distribution across in-situ observing network systems, and integrates in-situ observations into existing European and international data infrastructures, termed Integrators (e.g. Copernicus INS TAC, SeaDataNet NODCs, EMODnet, EurOBIS, GEOSS). This handbook aims to help the Networks to implement recommendations agreed upon within AtlantOS WP7 to achieve a better integration of their data, and to provide best practices guidelines for both Networks and Integrators for enhanced services to users. First it presents the roadmap for the AtlantOS integrated system and its actors, both Networks and Integrators. Then the elements of (1) standardization across the Networks relying on existing European and international standards and protocols, and of (2) of the data exchange backbone of the AtlantOS system, are described with the guidelines on how to set them up. Finally this handbook describes ways to facilitate data discovery at the Network level and enhancements at the Integrator level for better fit-for-purpose services to users

Description: Version No.:1.2. -Implementation of AtlantOS Catalogue and GEOSS requirements

Description: Version No.: 1 Date: 30. Sep 2015

Description: Well-founded data management systems are of vital importance for ocean observing systems as they ensure that essential data are not only collected but also retained and made accessible for analysis and application by current and future users. Effective data management requires collaboration across activities including observations, metadata and data assembly, quality assurance and control (QA\QC), and data publication that enables local and interoperable discovery and access and secures archiving that guarantees long-term preservation. To achieve this, data should be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). Here, we outline how these principles apply to ocean data and illustrate them with a few examples. In recent decades, ocean data managers, in close collaboration with international organizations, have played an active role in the improvement of environmental data standardization, accessibility, and interoperability through different projects, enhancing access to observation data at all stages of the data life cycle and fostering the development of integrated services targeted to research, regulatory, and operational users. As ocean observing systems evolve and an increasing number of autonomous platforms and sensors are deployed, the volume and variety of data increase dramatically. For instance, there are more than 70 data catalogs that contain metadata records for the polar oceans, a situation that makes comprehensive data discovery beyond the capacity of most researchers. To better serve research, operational, and commercial users, more efficient turnaround of quality data in known formats and made available through Web services is necessary. In particular, automation of data workflows will be critical to reduce friction throughout the data value chain. Adhering to the FAIR principles with free, timely, and unrestricted access to ocean observation data is beneficial for the originators, has obvious benefits for users, and is an essential foundation for the development of new services made possible with big data technologies.

Description: The oceans play a key role in global issues such as climate change, food security, and human health. Given their vast dimensions and internal complexity, efficient monitoring and predicting of the planet’s ocean must be a collaborative effort of both regional and global scale. A first and foremost requirement for such collaborative ocean observing is the need to follow well-defined and reproducible methods across activities: from strategies for structuring observing systems, sensor deployment and usage, and the generation of data and information products, to ethical and governance aspects when executing ocean observing. To meet the urgent, planet-wide challenges we face, methods across all aspects of ocean observing should be broadly adopted by the ocean community and, where appropriate, should evolve into “Ocean Best Practices.” While many groups have created best practices, they are scattered across the Web or buried in local repositories and many have yet to be digitized. To reduce this fragmentation, we introduce a new open access, permanent, digital repository of best practices documentation (oceanbestpractices.org) that is part of the Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS). The new OBPS provides an opportunity space for the centralized and coordinated improvement of ocean observing methods. The OBPS repository employs user-friendly software to significantly improve discovery and access to methods. The software includes advanced semantic technologies for search capabilities to enhance repository operations. In addition to the repository, the OBPS also includes a peer reviewed journal research topic, a forum for community discussion and a training activity for use of best practices. Together, these components serve to realize a core objective of the OBPS, which is to enable the ocean community to create superior methods for every activity in ocean observing from research to operations to applications that are agreed upon and broadly adopted across communities. Using selected ocean observing examples, we show how the OBPS supports this objective. This paper lays out a future vision of ocean best practices and how OBPS will contribute to improving ocean observing in the decade to come.

Description: The oceans play a key role in global issues such as climate change, food security, and human health. Given their vast dimensions and internal complexity, efficient monitoring and predicting of the planet’s ocean must be a collaborative effort of both regional and global scale. A first and foremost requirement for such collaborative ocean observing is the need to follow well-defined and reproducible methods across activities: from strategies for structuring observing systems, sensor deployment and usage, and the generation of data and information products, to ethical and governance aspects when executing ocean observing. To meet the urgent, planet-wide challenges we face, methods across all aspects of ocean observing should be broadly adopted by the ocean community and, where appropriate, should evolve into “Ocean Best Practices.” While many groups have created best practices, they are scattered across the Web or buried in local repositories and many have yet to be digitized. To reduce this fragmentation, we introduce a new open access, permanent, digital repository of best practices documentation (〈ext-link ext-link-type="uri" xlink:href="http://oceanbestpractices.org" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"〉oceanbestpractices.org〈/ext-link〉) that is part of the Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS). The new OBPS provides an opportunity space for the centralized and coordinated improvement of ocean observing methods. The OBPS repository employs user-friendly software to significantly improve discovery and access to methods. The software includes advanced semantic technologies for search capabilities to enhance repository operations. In addition to the repository, the OBPS also includes a peer reviewed journal research topic, a forum for community discussion and a training activity for use of best practices. Together, these components serve to realize a core objective of the OBPS, which is to enable the ocean community to create superior methods for every activity in ocean observing from research to operations to applications that are agreed upon and broadly adopted across communities. Using selected ocean observing examples, we show how the OBPS supports this objective. This paper lays out a future vision of ocean best practices and how OBPS will contribute to improving ocean observing in the decade to come.