CEOS Ocean Variable Enabling Research & Applications for GEO (COVERAGE): A Platform to Simplify and Expand the Accessibility and Usage of Inter-agency Satellite and in-situ Oceanographic Data

Abstract:

There is a broad need, by a growing number of user communities, for utilization of increasingly available satellite-derived environmental data in support of research and numerous oceanographic applications. However, the potential of such Earth Observations for ocean science and applications for societal benefit has yet to be realized. This is largely due to issues encountered by less expert users, who are currently underserved, and which relate to complexities of data access, product selection, and working with large volume datasets. The CEOS Ocean Variables Enabling Research and Applications for GEO (COVERAGE) initiative aims to address this critical gap. It seeks to provide improved access to multi-agency, multidisciplinary remote sensing data for the oceans that are also better integrated with in-situ and biological observations.

COVERAGE is an international initiative and 3 year pilot project within the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS) involving inter-agency participation. It aligns with programmatic objectives of CEOS and the mission of GEO-MBON (Group for Earth Observations - Marine Biodiversity Observation Network), which are to advance and exploit synergies among marine observational programs. It focuses on implementing technologies, including cloud-based solutions, to provide an advanced yet accessible data rich, web-based platform for integrated ocean data delivery and access: multi-parameter observations, easily discoverable and usable, organized thematically, available in near real-time, collocated to a common grid and complemented by a set of value-added data services. COVERAGE development is organized around priority application use cases identified by agency partners. Here we provide an overview of the initiative and the status of the current Phase B technical implementation work (prototype system). Emphasis is also placed on describing the associated biological thematic demonstration application that focuses on the dynamics of high seas pelagic fish assemblages in relation to the environment. International collaborative aspects of the project are also discussed with the intent of soliciting community feedback.