geo task us-09-01a - earth observations · geo task us-09-01a highest ranked ... - report outline...

GEO Task US-09-01a: Earth Observations Priorities Common to

Many Societal Benefit Areas

Task Activities

US-09-01a Task Lead: Lawrence Friedl, USA-NASA

User Interface Committee Member

January 2011

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Group on Earth ObservationsTask US-09-01a

GEO Task US-09-01a

Objective:Establish and conduct a process for identifying critical Earth observation priorities common to many GEO societal benefit areas, involving scientific and technical experts, taking account of socio-economic factors, and building on the results of existing systems’ requirements development processes.

GEO Societal Benefit Areas:Agriculture Disasters HealthBiodiversity Ecosystems WaterClimate Energy Weather

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GEO Task US-09-01a

Main Topics for UIC Discussion

A.Task Review- Updates- Issue: Biodiversity

B.Follow-on Activities- Gap Analysis- Parameter Characteristics

C.ISRSE-34 Events- Workshop- ISRSE Exhibit Booth

GEO Task US-09-01aHighest Ranked Observations (#1-20) and Associated SBAs

All of the 20 Highest-ranked observations are common to 4 or more SBAs

All of 30 Highest-ranked obs. are common to 3 or more SBAs

3 Highest-Ranked: Precipitation, Soil Moisture, Surface Air Temperature

* Biodiversity SBA Team did not produce a set of Earth observations priorities.

Note: Some observations may be relevant to an SBA even though not included in the SBA’s set of priorities.

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Biodiversity SBA – Status Biodiversity community had a meeting in early March and discussed biodiversity priority observations. Results of meeting TBD.

In discussion with Michele Walters (GEO BON Exec. Officer) about a Biodiversity SBA report

- Need to follow the 9-step process for consistency- Report outline and observation list to combination into Cross-SBA

Timeline TBD

When/if they produce a report, this will require a revision to Final Cross-SBA report

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GEO Task US-09-01a






Follow-on Activities

1. Gap AnalysisGap analysis of observationpriorities relative to current andplanned availability.

2. Parameter Characteristics – Precipitation Assess specific parameter characteristics for precipitation. Examine precipitation needs across a breadth of SBAs, applications, and users to identify loci of common parameter needs.

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US-09-01a Gap AnalysisReport Recommendation: Conduct an assessment of the current andplanned availability of the priority Earth observations.

Assess Current and Planned Availability of Observat ions- Up to 15 years for planned missions- Approx. top 30-35 observations from report- Initial Focus on Satellite observations

Use CEOS Mission, Instruments, and Measurements” databaseas primary source

Parameters to CaptureSatellite name, instrument, and primary agencyType of satellite (GEO or LEO) and geographic coverageMeasurement type (e.g., precipitation rate) and unitsTemporal and spatial resolutionSatellite launch date and planned end of life date

Identify any temporal or geographic measurement gap s

Gap Analysis: Process

1. Use the entries in the CEOS Measurements, Instruments, and Missions (MIM) database (http://database.eohandbook.com/) as a basis for determining available satellite measurements.

2. For each listed instrument/satellite in CEOS database, conduct internet searches to locate specific measurement information and datasets, and record measurement information (when available):– Satellite name, instrument, and primary agency

– Type of satellite (GEO or LEO) and geographic coverage

– Measurement type (e.g., precipitation rate) and units

– Temporal and spatial resolution

– Satellite launch date and planned end of life date

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Gap Analysis: Results to Date

• Analysts have gathered information on measurements for 5 of the top 10 highest-ranked parameters (precipitation, soil moisture, surface air temperature, vegetation cover, NDVI)

• Example – excerpt of results for precipitation :

Current Planned

Currently there are: 40 measurements from 14 instruments on 26 satellitesfor precipitation

In planning stages, there are17 instrumentsfor precipitation

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Gap analysis of observation priorities relative to current and future availability.

Current & Future States of Critical

Earth Observation Priorities

Results of Gap Analysis can be shown

in such a diagram.

Gap Analysis : End Results

Gap Analysis : End Results

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• Results may also be summarized as follows:

Instrument SatellitePrimary

Agency

Equitorial

Overpass

Time (LST)

Geographic

Coverage

(of Measurement)

Satellite

Launch Date

Planned

Satellite End

of Life Date

Type of

MeasurementUnits

Temporal

Resolution

Spatial

Resolution

AMSR-E Aqua NASA 13:30 70°N - 70°S 5/4/2002 9/1/2011

L2B Global

Swath Rain

Rate/Type GSFC

Profiling

Algorithm

mm/hr 1 day 5.4 km

AMSR-E Aqua NASA 13:30 70°N - 70°S 5/4/2002 9/1/2011

Monthly L3 5x5

deg Rainfall

Accumulations

mm 1 month 5° x 5°

AMSU-B NOAA-15 NOAA 7:30

Global, N. America,

CONUS, Eurasia, W.

Atlantic, E. Atlantic,

C. Pacific, E. Pacific

5/13/1998 12/1/2010 rain rate mm/hr 12 hr 16 km

AMSU-B NOAA-15 NOAA 7:30 CONUS 5/13/1998 12/1/2010 hourly rainfall mm 12 hr 16 km

AMSU-B NOAA-16 NOAA 13:30

Global, N. America,

CONUS, Eurasia, W.

Atlantic, E. Atlantic,

C. Pacific, E. Pacific

9/21/2000 12/1/2012 rain rate mm/hr 12 hr 16 km

AMSU-B NOAA-16 NOAA 13:30 CONUS 9/21/2000 12/1/2012 hourly rainfall mm 12 hr 16 km

Excerpt of Current Polar-Orbiting Satellites Measuring Precipitation

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Gap Analysis: Findings to Date

• Ease of public access to on-line measurement datasets varies by sponsoring agency

• Existence of multi-observation blended products is a complicating factor (not listed in CEOS database)

• In some cases, there is limited information on specific measurements for planned satellite missions– Limits the ability to assess transition from current to planned

satellite products

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US-09-01a Parameter CharacteristicsReport Recommendation: Gather information and engage users on specific characteristics of the priority Earth observations, especially Precipitation.

Users and ApplicationsExamine users and applications across SBAs as systematic way to capture breadth of needs (e.g., famine early warning, agriculture production, hydropower, flood prediction, landslides, tropical cyclones, numerical weather prediction systems, groundwater recharge)

Parameter CharacteristicsAssess the needed parameters in the breadth of applications and users to identify common loci of common parameter needs- e.g., some may need weekly averages at 1km resolution, some mayneed 1º x 1º every hour

This activity is currently being done for precipitation , could be repeated for other observations, such as soil moisture or land cover.

Parameter CharacteristicsProcess

Activity in Process:1.Assemble a preliminary list of users, purposes, and

required characteristics of precipitation info from:- Documents cited in individual SBA reports (over 50 documents

already analyzed) to capture details- Documents provided by other precipitation working groups

(Step 1 is ~70% complete)

Next Steps:2.Gather feedback via presentations/discussions with 12-15

relevant organizations (including GEO CoPs)3.Compile final results.

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Parameter Characteristics Representative User Types

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ResearchersTechnology DevelopersClimate ResearchersAtmospheric Scientists

Media ProfessionalsJournalistsBroadcast Meteorologists

Policy MakersAdvisory OrganizationsElected OfficialsPolicy Analysts

Financial Sector ManagersPlanners and investorsRisk Assessors

Resource Managers/PlannersAgriculture Planners/ManagersCoastal ManagersEmergency/ Disaster Response ManagersForest ManagersMineral Resource PlannerWater Resource Managers

ForecastersHydrologistsMeteorologists

RegulatorsPermitting AgenciesEnergy Commissions

Private Citizens & Civic LeadersTouristsSchool Principals

Developers OperatorsAviation Industry/ PilotsHealth Care ProvidersElectric Grid OperatorsUtility Companies

EngineersCivil EngineersChemical Engineers

SourcePDF

Page #

Horizontal

Resolution

Temporal

ResolutionLocation Accuracy Uses

GCOS

2006a15

Routinely-

producedGlobal Validated

"weather and climate forecasts… agricultural

planning, forestry and water management"

Lauritson

20029

1km

(Optimal)

50km

(Threshold)

5 min

(Optimal)

4 hour

(Threshold)

Global Flash flood monitoring and response

Ceccato

et al 20051-3

Areas with

risk or

potential

risk of

malaria

Predicting outbreaks of malaria in areas where

rainfall or other weather parameters have

changed

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Parameter Characteristics: Excerpt of User Needs Analysis

Parameter Characteristics

Findings to Date – Part A

• Certain user types are well-represented in literature:– Climate researchers

– Emergency/disaster response managers

– Resource managers (water, forests)

– Forecasters (weather, hydrologists)

• These tend to be users of primary precipitation data.

• There is especially strong user interest in forecasts.

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Parameter Characteristics

Findings to Date – Part B

• Certain user types are under-represented in literature:– Financial Sector Managers (e.g., Risk Assessors)

– Policy Makers (e.g., Advisory Organizations, Elected Officials, and Policy Analysts)

– Regulators (e.g., Permitting Agencies, Energy Commissions)

– Engineers (e.g., Civil Engineers, Chemical Engineers)

– Various others: Coastal Managers, Aviation Industry/Pilots Electric Grid Operators, Utility Companies, Journalists,

– Private Citizens & Civic Leaders

• These tend to be users of secondary precipitation products.

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Next Steps

• Complete the Gap Analysis (satellite measurement availability) for top 30-35 highest-ranked observations– Several high-priority indirect/modeled observations (e.g.,

urbanization, stream/river flow, cultivation, deforestation, soil composition) are not categories in the CEOS database and will beexcluded or treated separately

• Use initial results from the Parameter Characteristics to reach out to GEO COPs and other user organizations to identify additional information on specific user needs for precipitation

Estimated date of completion for Activities: Fall 2011

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Uses of Gap Analysis and Precipitation Characteristics Results

• GEO Members can:– Use results to support planning for future satellite missions– Identify key opportunities to serve their users’ needs

• GEO Committees and Tasks can:– Examine access to high priority observations through GEOSS– Identify key gaps in current and planned availability of priority

observations

• COPs can:– Inform members about available satellite measurement for high

priority observations

• Users can: – Advocate to fill gaps and weaknesses of high priority observations– Recognize users with similar needs and collaborate

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GEO Task US-09-01a





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Workshop

Comments from workshopComments from workshop

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Group on Earth ObservationsUIC Exhibit – ISRSE-34

UIC Exhibit Booth:

Center Section

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UIC Exhibit BoothEarth Observations: Panels 4-6One hand-out is the US0901a Summary of Results(Note: There are 30 copies of the Full Report if someone shows interest in the Full Report. Otherwise, point them to the US0901a website listed in the Summary hand-out)

Panels 5 & 6 are interactive. We have a hand-out with instructions. Also, there are color stickers (panel 5) & and a card (panel 6).

For Panel 5, people can “vote” for five observations. The panel has a large table of SBAs (along top) and Observations (along left side). Each person will get five colored stickers to affix to the panel. They can put their stickers in boxes corresponding to an observation and a SBA associated with their priority. We’ll tally the results at the end.

Voting multiple times over multiple days is not permitted.

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UIC Exhibit BoothEarth Observations: Panels 4-6One hand-out is the US0901a Summary of Results(Note: There are 30 copies of the Full Report if someone shows interest in the Full Report. Otherwise, point them to the US0901a website listed in the Summary hand-out)

Panels 5 & 6 are interactive. We have a hand-out with instructions. Also, there are color stickers (panel 5) & and a card (panel 6).

For Panel 6, people can identify an important observation that doesn’t appear on Panel 5. It’s their chance to tell us of an additional observation. There will be cards for people to fill-out and then affix to Panel 6. The cards ask them to identify:

- Observation- Name, Organization, Email- How observation is used & why it’s important

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UIC Exhibit: Note Cards for Input on Earth Obs. (Pa nel 6)Side A Side B

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UIC Exhibit: Note Cards for Input on Earth Obs. (Pa nel 6)Side A Side B


Your Observation Priorities?

The GEO User Interface Committee asks you for your Earth observation priorities.

Visit the GEO UIC Booth at ISRSE to vote for your observation priorities.

Final Cross-SBA Report and Individual SBA Reports are available at the US-09-01a Task Website:

http://sbageotask.larc.nasa.gov/| 30