Data & Information Systems

• Information Systems
• Measurements of 3-D Ecosystem Structures
  • introduction
  • previous and planned measurements
  • instrument acronyms

Information Systems  [2007 Science Plan p. 68]

With its focus on observations, NASA Earth science research depends on advanced data systems to acquire measurements, produce data products, provide active archives, and distribute data to research investigators. The Earth Science Data and Information Project provides scientific users, as well as a large and diverse general user community, with access to NASA's Earth science data, primarily through the EOS Data and Information System (EOSDIS). EOSDIS was developed as an end-to-end system, including command and control of satellites, management of data from satellites and field measurement programs, active archive, distribution, and information management. EOSDIS has been operating since 1999, and has evolved to incorporate emerging technology and changing research needs. Currently, NASA Earth observing satellites provide about 500 Gbytes/day (500 x109 bytes/day) of instrument data from space, producing approximately 3 Tbytes/day (3 x1012 bytes/ day) of data products. Each year, NASA's space assets contribute about 1.2 Pbytes (1.2 x1015 bytes) of data to Earth science research. This enormous data stream is the primary resource for Earth science research with NASA and fuels a broad range of research, application, management, and decision activities worldwide. NASA manages these data with its user communities' advice, deleting or moving to lower levels of service products no longer considered useful or where more accurate observations become available.

Currently managing more than 2,800 data sets and distributing data to more than 185,000 users, EOSDIS continues to serve as the primary active archive and distribution system infrastructure for Earth observations obtained by NASA. Eight Distributed Active Archive Centers (DAACs), representing core Earth science disciplines, process, archive, and distribute NASA Earth observation data. Many science data products are produced on Science Investigator-led Processing Systems under the direct control of instrument teams while a few use the science data processing systems within the DAACs. In either case, the algorithms and quality assurance are provided by instrument teams. NASA's strategy is to continue to evolve and streamline this core infrastructure, while adding competed and peer-reviewed innovative elements needed to fully develop and access Earth science data records needed to answer the science questions.

For information on how to find NASA Earth System Science data, please visit http://nasadaacs.eos.nasa.gov/search.html.

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Measurements of 3-D Ecosystem Structures

Introduction

This table is a compilation of previous and planned measurements of ecosystem three-dimensional structure that may be relevant for preparatory studies in support of NASA's new Decadal Survey missions (especially DESDynI and ICE-Sat-II). The emphasis for this compilation was on identifying sites with near-coincident, lidar, radar or InSAR, and related field observations. Investigators interested in responding to the recent Terrestrial Ecology (TE) call for proposals in ROSES-2008 should be aware of these sites and data acquisitions. Scientists involved in the acquisition and preparation of these data sets have been contacted and have indicated an interest in sharing them, but are not prepared to provide user support or address questions from the public. Proposers to the TE call interested in their utilization will need to individually explore the availability of these data for use in proposed efforts. Questions may be directed to Dr. Diane E. Wickland at NASA Headquarters (202-358-0245 or diane.e.wickland@nasa.gov).

Web links are provided within the table describing the sites, as well as the platforms and sensors that have acquired remote sensing data over the sites. A “y” in any column indicates that data were acquired over that site along with the year if known. In the ALOS/PALSAR column InSAR indicates that PALSAR data were acquired in an interferometric mode. (tba) indicates that data acquisition with that sensor is scheduled and the acquisition year planned. (tbd) indicates that data may be acquired in 2009, but plans have not been finalized.

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Previous and Planned Measurements

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Instrument Acronyms

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NASA Official: Jim Collatz 
Curator: Carla Evans