CoGIS - A knowledge geoportal for a knowledge society

“SAEON’s currency is long-term environmental data.” - Johan Pauw, MD of SAEON

Background and history

CoGIS (Collaborative Geographical Information Service) is based on the CSIR's Collaborative Spatial Analysis and Modelling Platform (CoSAMP), and was specifically customised for SAEON’s data management function between 2006 and early 2008.

CoSAMP is a platform for the linking, enhancement and management of spatial analysis and modelling capabilities - internally within the CSIR as well as within the wider South African geospatial information community. CoGIS focuses more directly on the discovery, integration and provision of data (mostly spatial data, but not limited to it) sourced from a variety of providers connected via a web-based network, and the associated meta-data.

One of the main benefits of CoGIS is its ability to search stakeholder systems, integrate the data and produce a single integrated entity to the end-user. CoGIS functions as a meta-data clearinghouse, supporting several meta-data standards. As such it offers the following main functions to the user community:

• The ability to ‘harvest’ and aggregate meta-data records from all stakeholders and partner organisations in a multi-standard meta-data repository, with automated processes to maintain synchronisation with sources;
• The ability to search for meta-data records in a number of ways, ranging from very general phrase-based searches to tailor-made, very specific searches, and to package the search definition for future use or embedment in other sites and applications. This allows targeted searches, for example, to be directed to the CoGIS portal from corporate, node, or project websites; and
• The ability to navigate to or download data referenced by the meta-data records.

In addition, system and community administrators can configure search facilities, controlled vocabularies, and content for a community to use.

Due to its ability to archive, search and discover spatial and other information and tools in a secure environment which enables collaborative research, CoGIS will enable SAEON to share and integrate spatial information sourced from a variety of providers connected via a web-based network. Researchers at the SAEON nodes (long-term observation platforms) will be able to input new data, access and integrate existing data, analyse and add value to the data, and share knowledge as part of the SAEON mandate.

Where does CoGIS fit into the SAEON structure?

South Africa’s Department of Science and Technology has formulated a national strategy known as the Global Change Grand Challenge to coordinate and lead research aimed at gaining a greater understanding of climate change. SAEON is one of the main role-players in this strategy.

SAEON is a comprehensive in situ environmental observation network that delivers long-term reliable data for scientific research, and informs decision-making. One of its key functions is to develop infrastructure for environmental science research and education at its observation platforms, or nodes. This infrastructure includes interoperable geo-spatial data systems which place data in the public domain, promoting open access to quality data.

SAEON’s core business areas are based upon three pillars - observation (science), information (management) and education (outreach).

Four SAEON Nodes have been established at distributed locations for geographical spread, as well as in different host organisations for organisational spread. Two more nodes are in the pipeline. The nodes are field centres coordinating and facilitating observation and information systems. Once established, they become centres of gravity attracting world-wide research interest.

In addition to its nodes, SAEON coordinates and sponsors domain-specific data centres such as the Southern African Data Centre for Oceanography (SADCO), and the African Ocean Biodiversity Information System (AfrOBIS).

For online data connectivity, SAEON is involved in the development of an information management system with spatial analytical capability. Users will be able to obtain and integrate data from a variety of data providers via the SAEON Data Portal.

Current status and future prospects

SAEON began the implementation of the COGIS portal in May this year, and has embarked on a training programme for its node data managers. The CSIR will commence implementation in August 2009.

Future prospects include the possibility of a National Knowledge Management Infrastructure, supported by the proposed CoGIS extension projects. SAEON will play a facilitating role by assisting partner organisations with extension and refinement of their platforms to align these with CoGIS.

Key CoGIS stakeholders

Potential CoGIS stakeholders will be all organisations in South Africa and beyond involved in long-term monitoring, or who has long-term environmental monitoring data to share. These include the World Data Centre for Biodiversity and Human Health, the South African Risk and Vulnerability Atlas, and the South African Earth Observation Strategy (SAEOS).

For more technical information on CoGIS, read The CoGIS Portal by Systems Engineer Wim Hugo.