The Full Picture

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for most of the topics of the environment theme

supported through the Framework Programme of

Community Research (FP). This point, implicitly in the

previous FPs, was outlined in the 6th FP (FP6), and now

appears explicitly in the recently-launched 7th FP (FP7),

which covers the year 2007-2013. A specific section on

Earth Observation was introduced under the environ-

ment theme of the FP7 program. Moreover, the FP7

decision makes an explicit reference to the GEOSS initia-

tive with the aim to support the development of Earth

and ocean observation systems and monitoring methods

for the environment and sustainable development.

Many projects supported under the FP6 Environment

theme already contribute to GEOSS. This is the case, for

instance, with the Tropical Eastern North Atlantic Time-

Series Observatory (TENATSO) project, which studies the

dynamics of the North Atlantic Ocean. Also, the

order to deliver a reliable, fully operational and user-driven service

portfolio by 2012.

The priority areas selected for such operational services are emer-

gency response, land, marine and atmosphere. The target date for

demonstrating the early phases of such operational services is the

end of 2008, but significant progress has already been made toward

achieving this goal.

GMES Emergency Response Core Service

– The objective of the

Emergency Response Core Service is to reinforce the capacity to

respond to emergency situations associated with meteorologically-

driven hazards (e.g. storms, fire, floods), geophysical hazards (e.g.

earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides), and deliber-

ate and accidental man-made disasters and humanitarian disasters.

The highest priority of the service is to improve an immediate

response to disastrous events through the robust rapid mapping capac-

ity. The service will evolve to cover crisis prevention and early warning

systems as well as post crisis reconstruction, situation assessments and

monitoring of post crisis development – this is particularly relevant

to the scope of the service outside the EU. The ongoing documenta-

tion of the risk vulnerabilities and development of harmonized risk

level nomenclature is another benefit of the service evolution process.

GMES Land Monitoring Core Service

– The GMES Land Monitoring

Core Service aims to provide timely, continuous and independent

observations about the use of soil and other land resources and changes

in the land environment for responsible and farsighted policy-making.

The Land Monitoring Core Service is targeting a wide spectrum

of terrestrial parameters (land use, soil degradation, crop patterns,

yield forecasts, impact of agriculture on environment, forest cover

and biodiversity, quality of water bodies etc.). Once operational, it

will address many of the GEOSS societal benefit areas such as water,

ecosystems, and agriculture.

GMES Marine Core Service

– The Marine Core Service aims to

produce regular and systematic reference information on the sea state

and dynamics of the global ocean and regional European seas. This

service is expected to include real-time and archived observational

data to provide information about relevant variables needed to

describe sea state and the primary ecosystem. Additionally it will

include assimilation and modelling capacity based on a global and

several regional models.

Once operational, the Marine Core Service will address most of

the GEOSS societal benefit areas and in particular disasters, energy,

climate, water, weather and ecosystems.

GMES Atmosphere Core Service

– The Atmosphere Core Service

will deliver standard European and global information products and

information services about the atmosphere in order to support

European policies and provide information on global issues linked

to the processes in the atmosphere and their effects. The Atmosphere

Core Service will in particular deal with aspects related to air quality

and climate change monitoring. Once operational, it will address

most of the GEOSS societal benefit areas and in particular health,

climate and weather.

Research programmes

In parallel with the GMES core services, major research projects in

the fields of environment and various applications of information

and communication technologies to support sustainable develop-

ment are funded by the EU and conducted by European consortia.

Environment and climate change

– The nature of environmental

research is such that Earth observation data and activities are needed

The FP7 actions are directed towards:

Integrating European research activities within GEOSS

Projects will facilitate the integration of European Earth

observation environmental research relevant to GEOSS

through collaboration with similar existing initiatives in

other continents/countries to the GEOSS.

Crosscutting research activities relevant to GEOSS

Projects will develop crosscutting research activities

relevant to the societal benefit areas of GEOSS in the

environment domain.

Enabling emerging Earth observation systems

Projects will support the development of European

Earth observation systems and related activities in

areas of environmental research needed for GEOSS

where observing/monitoring systems are lacking or

need to be significantly completed.

Developing capacity building activities in the domain of

Earth observation

The projects will provide support to international

research initiatives to contribute to observing systems

and safeguard/protect observation data in countries

where capacities in the domain of Earth observation

need to be developed.

Following the first actions started in 2007, a significant

effort will be made in 2008 to contribute to:

• Development of the necessary architecture and data

management approach to bridge activities under the

Infrastructure for Spatial Information in Europe

(INSPIRE) directive and tasks overseen by the GEOSS

Architecture and Data Committee

• Monitoring and assessment of the impact of energy

exploitation on the environment

• Monitoring and observation of oxygen depletion in all

the components of the Earth system

• Building observation capacities in the new countries of

the EU and third countries.

Beyond 2008 key activities could be launched to:

• Structure Earth observation capabilities in Europe

• Contribute to Earth observation and monitoring required

for meteorological hazards

• Support Earth observation activities for the European

Technology Platform on Mineral Resources

• Investigate environment and health issues.

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