Glenn Johnstone welcomed participants and proceeded to given
an introduction to AGDI (the Antarctic Geographic Data
Integration project).
Glenn presented the proposed data model for AGDI fundamental
datasets to meet and this provided discussion for the rest of the
meeting. The discussion is summarised as follows:
Researchers work on two different levels, either at the micro
level (very large scale, where very precise data are required) or
at a macro level (more continental or small scale, where data are
less precise and sparse).
Those working at the micro level would generally prefer to
have access to the "raw" data in order to run their own models
and are not so interested in having it "standardised". If it has
errors then it has errors. Those working on the macro level would
generally prefer to have the data already standardised and
integrated.
Access to fundamental datasets is very important –
probably the most important issue – as most
researchers are not able to access data or do not know exactly
who has what.
Bathymetric data seems to have the most patchy continental
coverage and is the dataset requiring the most amount of work.
Finding out from SCAR member country organisations responsible
for bathymetric data what datasets they currently hold is a high
priority
The coastline project at USGS is vastly under-resourced and
will take a long time to get going. Given that Australia has the
majority of the Antarctic coastline and AAD has the expertise and
capability to create small scale digital datasets it was
suggested that AAD would be a good place to house the coastline
theme of AGDI. Drew Clarke said that he would talk with Tony
Press about this.
It was proposed that one way to get hold of the bathymetric
data was hold an international workshop and pay for the
participants – provided that they brought their datasets
with them (similar to the BEDMAP experience).
The concept of "Data Libraries" was discussed as a means by
which researchers could go to the one site and find out all of
the datasets (raw / original data) for a particular theme. The
general consensus was that this data libraries concept is what is
required for those working at the micro level.
Those researchers working on a macro level and for those
people who are interested in digital geographic data of
Antarctica for general use, a standardised, integrated, raster
product of all 6 themes is to be created at a 1:5 Million scale
with a nominal resolution of 5 kilometres.
Another reason for creating an integrated product at 1:5
Million using a 5 km grid is that it would be very difficult and
time consuming to standardise and integrate large scale data
which is also geographically disparate.
Based on these factors AGDI needs to refocus on two
priorities
The creation of bathymetric and coastline data libraries
containing all and best available data from any organisation /
institution.
The creation of a 1:5 Million scale product containing all 6
fundamental datasets that have been standardised and integrated
(based on a 5 km grid).
Meeting closed at 12:30pm
ACTIONS
DUE DATE
GJ to check with AGSO on their
holdings of bathymetric data
End May 99
GJ to write a new specification for
the 1:5M generalise, integrated geographic data
July 99
GJ to approach existing data
providers (BEDMAP, ADD, CGA, RAMP) for the 1:5M product to
provide their data for the surface elevation, features, names and
ice bed elevation themes.
Dec 99
GJ to liaise with SCAR WG-GGI member
organisations and other institutions to find out what datasets
(particularly for bathymetry and coastline data) they have
XXVI SCAR (July 2000)
GJ to investigate the possibility of
holding an international workshop for bathymetric data
Dec 99
GJ to create data libraries for
bathymetric and coastline data and make available on the
WWW.
XXVI SCAR (July 2000)
DC to approach Tony Press regarding
AAD taking on the coastline project for SCAR WG-GGI
