European CZM and the GSDI Initiative
547
data, which can also be extended to cover all other products and data related to
hydrography and navigation.
Thus, international standards for marine geo-spatial data are progressing.
Anderson and Evangelatos contend that “the hydrographic electronic chart
infrastructure is the basis of the marine geo-spatial data infrastructure” and that
“..international standards for marine geo-spatial data are progressing ... not yet mature,
but far enough advanced to provide a clear direction for the development of the Global
Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure”. The question is, does the global CZM and marine
research community agree with this summing up of the situation? If not, then they
should make their thoughts known to the organisers of the forthcoming GSDI Forum
meeting in North Carolina, perhaps by contacting the EUROGI President.
The CZM/Marine research community will probably have far less trouble
concurring with the concluding statement in marine section of the GSDI forum report,
namely:
“The requirement now is for an international program to conduct comprehensive
mapping of proritized ocean and biomass resources, to create databases that can be
made available internationally and to create the infrastructure to support a
conservation and management regime”.
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN SHARING GLOBAL MARINE GI.
The Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) core project within the
International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) of the International Council of
Scientific Unions (ICSU) is but one example of a truly global research initiative which
has much to contribute to the GSDI debate. This project has already faced the
problems of acquiring, using and disseminating large volumes of multidisciplinary GI
from across the globe. LOICZ began in 1993 and will run for 10 years. More than
400 scientists were involved in developing the Science Plan and more than 2000
scientists in over 130 countries are now involved in the project. The experiences of the
participants in specific LOICZ research projects will be invaluable in regard to the
GSDI discussions now underway. (Details of LOICZ can be found at URL
http://www.nioz.l/loicz/).
EARTHMAP
One of the global earth observation programmes presented at the GSDI Forum meeting
was Earthmap, a public-private consortium which proposes to advance the use of
geospatial data and tools for decision makers. Earthmap is being promoted by the
Global Environment and Technology Foundation in the USA, where further details can
be found at URL http://www.gnet.org/earthmap. Earthmap is ultimately about better
decision making for “sustainable development” which, on a global basis, requires the
best use of huge amounts of multidisciplinary GI. The consortium felt that the time is
right to exploit the rapid advances in satellite imagery and in computer and
547
data, which can also be extended to cover all other products and data related to
hydrography and navigation.
Thus, international standards for marine geo-spatial data are progressing.
Anderson and Evangelatos contend that “the hydrographic electronic chart
infrastructure is the basis of the marine geo-spatial data infrastructure” and that
“..international standards for marine geo-spatial data are progressing ... not yet mature,
but far enough advanced to provide a clear direction for the development of the Global
Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure”. The question is, does the global CZM and marine
research community agree with this summing up of the situation? If not, then they
should make their thoughts known to the organisers of the forthcoming GSDI Forum
meeting in North Carolina, perhaps by contacting the EUROGI President.
The CZM/Marine research community will probably have far less trouble
concurring with the concluding statement in marine section of the GSDI forum report,
namely:
“The requirement now is for an international program to conduct comprehensive
mapping of proritized ocean and biomass resources, to create databases that can be
made available internationally and to create the infrastructure to support a
conservation and management regime”.
PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE IN SHARING GLOBAL MARINE GI.
The Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) core project within the
International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (IGBP) of the International Council of
Scientific Unions (ICSU) is but one example of a truly global research initiative which
has much to contribute to the GSDI debate. This project has already faced the
problems of acquiring, using and disseminating large volumes of multidisciplinary GI
from across the globe. LOICZ began in 1993 and will run for 10 years. More than
400 scientists were involved in developing the Science Plan and more than 2000
scientists in over 130 countries are now involved in the project. The experiences of the
participants in specific LOICZ research projects will be invaluable in regard to the
GSDI discussions now underway. (Details of LOICZ can be found at URL
http://www.nioz.l/loicz/).
EARTHMAP
One of the global earth observation programmes presented at the GSDI Forum meeting
was Earthmap, a public-private consortium which proposes to advance the use of
geospatial data and tools for decision makers. Earthmap is being promoted by the
Global Environment and Technology Foundation in the USA, where further details can
be found at URL http://www.gnet.org/earthmap. Earthmap is ultimately about better
decision making for “sustainable development” which, on a global basis, requires the
best use of huge amounts of multidisciplinary GI. The consortium felt that the time is
right to exploit the rapid advances in satellite imagery and in computer and