Global Earth Observing Systems of Systems (GEOSS)

GEOSS will achieve comprehensive, coordinated and sustained observations of the Earth system, in order to improve monitoring of the state of the Earth, increase understanding of Earth processes, and enhance prediction of the behavior of the Earth system. Information about GEOSS. 

OGC is involved in GEOSS in several ways:

• OGC is a Participating Organization in GEO
• OGC leads the Architecture Implementation Pilot (GEO Task AR-07-02)
• OGC is a member of GIGAS Consortium
• OGC is an lead in organization in a series of GEOSS Workshops
• OGC is a co-lead of the GEO Standards and Interoperability Forum (SIF)

The Group on Earth Observations (GEO)

The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is a voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations. It provides a framework within which these partners can develop new projects and coordinate their strategies and investments.

GEO is composed of national governments and the European Commission as GEO Members and intergovernmental, international, and regional organizations with a mandate in Earth observation or related issues as Participating Organizations.

In January 2005, the OGC resolved to participate in GEO. In February 2005, OGC was identified as a Participating Organization in GEO.

GEOSS Architecture Implementation Pilot

The AIP is leading the incorporation of contributed components consistent with the GEOSS Architecture using a GEOSS Web Portal and a GEOSS Clearinghouse search facility to access services through GEOSS Interoperability Arrangements in support of the GEOSS Societal Benefit Areas.  AIP is a Task in the GEO Work Plan (GEO Task AR-07-02) 

OGC leads the AIP using the OGC Interoperability Program policy and procedures. A main resource for the AI Pilot on OGC Network

GIGAS Project

The GEOSS INSPIRE and GMES an Action in Support (GIGAS) promotes the coherent and interoperable development of the GMES, INSPIRE and GEOSS initiatives through their concerted adoption of standards, protocols, and open architectures.

GIGAS  is a European Commission FP7 project. OGC is a member of the GEOSS project with lead responsibilities for leading the GIGAS efforts regarding GEOSS and OGC.

GEOSS Workshops 

The User and the GEOSS Architecture workshop series is a dialogue for users looking at GEOSS and its benefits to their application area. Participants will be encouraged to ask questions to further their understanding of the information system and the GEOSS approach. Recommendations of the workshop will be made available to the GEO committees. Information about the IEEE/ISPRS/OGC GEOSS workshop series

OGC will lead a User and the GEOSS Architecture Workshop in conjunction with the OGC TC meeting December 2008 in Valencia Spain. The theme of the workshop will be "GEOSS Architecture"

GEO Standards and Interoperability Forum (SIF)

The GEO Architecture and Data Committee (ADC) established a Standards and Interoperability Forum (SIF) to facilitate the interchange of information and the development of recommendations for standards and interoperability in GEOSS. The SIF will also oversee the Standards and Interoperability Registry. The purpose of the SIF is to provide advice, expertise and impartial guidance on issues relating to standards and interoperability for GEOSS. The goal of the SIF is to enable ever greater degrees of interoperability among GEOSS components through facilitation, technical analysis, advocacy and education. The SIF is composed of experts nominated by GEO Members and Participating Organizations, and will also draw on subject matter experts globally to support its objectives and goals.

IEEE and OGC are co-leads of the GEO SIF.

GEO = Group on Earth Observations

GEOSS = Global Earth Observing System of Systems