Abstract ID: 477

Dynamic Virtual Observatories

Large-scale information synthesis and visualization are becoming a critical need in many scientific disciplines where researchers from multiple domains attempt to understand complex systems. For example, synthesis of remote sensing information, local sensor readings, and multi-component systems model will be required to understand the impacts of climate change and/or changes in land use patterns on flooding hazards and water quality and to use this understanding to support research, education, and decision making related to both emergency planning and long-term policy development. The Digital Synthesis Framework (DSF), being developed as part of the National Center for Supercomputing Applications’ Technology Research Education and Commercialization Center (TRECC) project, provides a coherent framework for dynamically publishing visual analysis environments based on underlying observational and modeled information. The initial target of the TRECC effort will be the creation of digital geospatial observatories (e.g. digital watersheds) that allow exploration of data from sensor networks and environmental system models. The concept of a synthesis framework involves core capabilities for integrating data from multiple sources, enabling on-demand execution of scientific workflows, and the association of data outputs with multiple visualization and analysis widgets in a dynamically generated web application. As a concrete example, we present one of the TRECC pilot projects that has developed a dynamically generated hypoxia forecast web application for Corpus Christi Bay, Texas that incorporates a model predicting hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions in Corpus Christi Bay, Texas and information from sensors deployed in and around the bay. We will also provide a brief overview of the system’s architecture and current capabilities and discuss ways it can be used to support research, education, and outreach.

Session:  Biodiversity - Data/metadata integration and information dissemination: PPBio challenges and solutions.

Presentation Type:  Oral