USGS

Future Science Direction: Environmental Information Science Plan

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1180—ONLINE ONLY

By A.F. Frondorf, D.R. Boldt, D.R. Hutchinson, W.G. Miller, D.R. Posson, and S.A. Sipkin

January 2005

The PDF for the report is 150 kb


Contents

Introduction

Scientific Challenges and Research Questions

Environmental Information Science: Major Scientific Challenges

Challenge #1: Acquisition and Extraction of Information from Environmental Systems and Processes

Challenge #2: Synthesis, Analysis, Interpretation, and Modeling of Information on Environmental Systems and Processes

Challenge #3: Communication and Representation of Information on Environmental Systems and Processes

Defining the Unique Role and Potential Contribution of the USGS in Environmental Information Science

Example 1: Modeling the Spread of Invasive Species

Example 2: Sediment Transport Modeling in the Coastal Ocean

Responsiveness to NRC Report on Grand Challenges in Environmental Sciences

Past and Current USGS Activities in Environmental Information Science

Example 3: New Methods for Analyzing Seismograms

Building an Environmental Information Science Workforce

Scientific Information Infrastructure Requirements

Opportunities for Collaboration

Example 4: Mapping the Sea Floor

Example 5: Understanding Earthquake Fault Zone Structure

Implementing a USGS Environmental Information Science Research Plan

Summary

References

Appendix I: Framework for a Long-Term Environmental Information Science Research Agenda

Appendix II: Examples of Scientific Questions

Environmental Information Science Future Science Direction Writing Team


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