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Goals |
Work packages |
Motivation
The earth as environment for humans is continously changing especially since the start of the industrialisation. One aspect of environmental change is the possible change of the climate system. To secure the sustainability for future generations, we have to learn more about the earth system and its many subsystems (such as oceans, atmosphere, cryosphere, biosphere) as well as about the dynamics of each of the earth system components including its chemical composition. This is the main goal of the earth system research.
Distributed data archives
Therefore, the response of the earth system to environmental changes is investigated by using complex models for simulations and also collecting data on observations to analyse and evaluate specific earth related processes. Only when closely combining both fields for research efforts we can obtain a better understanding of the earth system. Then, we can develop a trustworthy forecast of the complete earth system to be used to estimate and prevent dangers through risk management scenarios. The quality of the forecast is especially affected by how well the natural variability of the earth atmosphere is understood including its components such as the biosphere and the oceans.Impacts of land use chances, industrial evolution and urbanization on the earth system can only be estimated. Both, data from model simulations as well as from observations usually contain high volume data being commonly stored in archives at institutes for geosciences and govermental departments. Since some time, increased efforts have been undertaken within the earth system reasearch community to bring more transparency and uniformity to those data collections to provide users easier access. The C3Grid project will significantly contribute to that goal.
Comparison of model and observation data
When verifying and evaluting model data we need to filter out stable dynamical phenomena. For that reason, we need modelling results to contain sound scientific statements that we can obtain by comparing model results to observations and to results of other model simulations using established workflow architecture to easen the analytical process. When correlating data that are distributed at different regional locations we expect to learn more about important earth system related signals to include in the future developement of models and to improve forecasts..
Efficient data processing
The C3Grid project intends to incorporate this workflow architecture to support earth system scientists in their research. Therefore, we will be implementing a grid infrastructure providing the option of data processing and inter-institutional exchange of data. Based on existing grid technologies a new generation of this collaborative grid system will be created consisting of a meta-directory system to describe data from interim workflow processes, access on large data volume at governmental storage systems, tools to access different integrated analysis methods, a replica management and scheduling mechanisms to avoid unnecessary data transfer.