Groups indicated that the Workgroup question really had two fundamental parts...   1-A) How would Arctic science benefit from an improved GIS? 1-B) What are the most significant Arctic research questions and programs that could be addressed with improved GIS capability?

1-B was intended to identify the core research "business" that can be supported with GIS:  

OVERARCHIENG JUSTIFICATION OF IMPROVED GIS CAPABILITIES FOR ARCTIC RESEARCH ARE THERE ANY ASPECTS OF ARCTIC RESEARCH THAT WOULD NOT BE IMPROVED BY ENHANCED GIS? ONE COULD ARGUE THAT ANY INFORMATION THAT IS SPATIAL, TIED TO LOCATION, IS SUITABLE AND FURTHER THAT ALL OR NEARLY ALL SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH IS INHERENTLY GEOGRAPHIC

BIG-PICTURE SCIENCE ISSUES: Natural environmental variability Human impacts on the environment E.g. pollution and contaminants The impact of global warming on the environment The arctic as sensitive indicator of environmental change Internal feedbacks that exacerbate global change The impact of environmental change on resources and society e.g. Coastal erosion, changes in permafrost, etc.

CONTRIBUTIONS WITHIN DISCIPLINES: Such disciplinary themes as: the biosphere terrestrial environments hydrosphere cryosphere atmosphere the oceans social sciences

E.g. circumarctic vegetation mapping program, International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean, permafrost and others. Adding value to existing research approaches logistical support for field data collection infrastructure for data compilation “vertical integration” of datasets minimize redundant efforts expanded tools for data analysis effective communication for outreach, education and policy making Realizing entirely new avenues for research analysis of huge, empirically based datasets that would be difficult if not impossible to assemble or interpret without GIS

CONTRIBUTIONS AMONG DISCIPLINES Facilitate interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary collaboration “lateral integration” of datasets Data-model comparisons Stimulate new avenues of research as well as making existing avenues more effective

Lots of good input regarding Question 1-A………..

Improved Coordination and Communications Minimize duplication More effective logistics and coordination Notification of research (local communities and among scientific community) Relate regional to pan-Arctic issues

Improved Coordination and Communications Who is doing what, where, why, how etc. Use resources to improve coordination Establish more productive link between data producers and users Integrate new data sets Better data acquisition

Improved Coordination and Communications Better presentation of issues to decision makers and the public Dissemination and sharing of research findings and data More efficient access to data More efficient access to information about data

Improved Coordination and Communications Incorporation of traditional environmental knowledge (TEK) Education and research Draw in more researchers Promote better integration across disciplines Promote more effective linkages between social and physical sciences

Improved Coordination and Communications More review and feedback equals better data Identify and fill data gaps Easier sharing of information Serendipity - new insights based on data exploration and correlation in forms not previously available

Improved Coordination and Communications Place-based exploration and interaction Some problems are not restricted to the Arctic, and require communication and coordination with the rest of the world

Basic Infrastructure Requirements   Data Integration of data sets Common data delivery system Base set of data layers Physical setting - interoperability among the full range of topics to support systems modeling, etc.

Basic Infrastructure Requirements   Data (cont.) Improved detail and quality of data Quality of data and analysis critical for maintaining confidence in the infrastructure Historical data - lots of information around but little documentation, organization or accessibility.

Basic Infrastructure Requirements   Data (cont.) Data security and privacy. There is a need to restrict access to some types of data Different scales of data needed Difficult to get people to record metadata

Basic Infrastructure Requirements   Organization Data clearinghouse. Infrastructure to support scientists, local communities, and education Distributed vs centralized functions. Centralized function good for metadata, but distributed situation preferred for data stewardship

Basic Infrastructure Requirements   Organization Sociology of the stakeholder community - how can this community behave in a coordinated manner? Political and legal issues and realities have to be acknowledged Arctic policy development influences research topics and research findings inform policy

Basic Infrastructure Requirements   Human Resources Need a tiered system of technical abilities and support People need to understand and have access to the information and tools at levels that are appropriate to their real need

Basic Infrastructure Requirements   Services Data and services must be useable and accessible Transparent data transfer Cost of entry into the technology has been a barrier to many researchers

Special Data Modeling and Systems Modeling Requirements   Data 3D and 4D Vertical integration of data sets Integrated physical setting model Temporal dimension, and incorporation of real-time and near real-time information

Special Data Modeling and Systems Modeling Requirements   Systems Modeling Lots of good systems models around, some implemented with GIS and others standalone or beyond capability of most current GIS systems Analysis of cumulative impacts

Special Data Modeling and Systems Modeling Requirements   Systems Modeling Risk analysis Assessment of the impacts of man on environment, and reciprocal impacts on man Need integrated modeling that can assess interactions among physical, biological and man-made systems

Funding / Motivations for Cooperation / Requirements   Don't spend $ on GIS at the expense of research funding Carrot and the stick (need to have both to "encourage" coordination)

Funding agencies need to be specific about requirements, and diligent in their followup and enforcement Data quality control must be part of requirements