SCAR XXXI WP27: Report on the SCAR Standing Committee on Antarctic Geographic Information (SCAGI) Popular

SCAR XXXI WP27: Report on the SCAR Standing Committee on Antarctic Geographic Information (SCAGI)

Title: SCAR Standing Committee on Antarctic Geographic Information (SCAGI)

Authors: H. Brolsma, A. Fox, R. Cervellati

Relevant URLs or references to other reports: (obsolete link), pdf WP10 (SCADM report) (280 KB)

Introduction/ Background:  All work in Antarctica relies on a consistent geographic framework, and the main function of the Standing Committee on Antarctic Geographic Information (SCAGI) is to manage and improve the geographic framework not only for Antarctic scientific research but also for other activities including operations, environmental management and tourism. SCAGI continues to deliver a range of Geographic Information products through its various projects. These products include the SCAR Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica, the SCAR Antarctic Digital Database, the SCAR King George Island GIS Database, the SCAR Map Catalogue and SCAR Feature Catalogue. SCAGI integrates topographic and names information received from national Antarctic programs into the SCAR ADD and SCAR Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica. SCAR / SCAGI in keeping with Article III.1.c of the Treaty that Scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available promotes an open standards approach to support free and unrestricted data access and develops the respective specifications.

Important Issues or Factors:  Too much work being done by too few SCAGI members – this is not sustainable.

Both the SCAR CGA and SCAR ADD need editing and metadata added for them to comply with the SCAR Data and Information Management System (DIMS)

SCAR Composite Gazetteer Antarctica:

1. Needs radical improvement before it can be used at large scales in software such as Google Earth. Requires input from all countries.
2. Suggestions and requests for improvement are either ignored, agreed to but not followed up on or there is an unwillingness to change anything.

SCAR Antarctic Digital Database:

1. SCAR ADD needs metadata to be added to it. This is not an onerous task.
2. Little geographical information is being received to keep it up to date and relevant. Requires input from all countries.

SCAR DIMS:

In enquiries to SCAGI members it appears little data is being shared or metadata being written so that data can be discovered.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:  Delegates need to make themselves familiar with the work that SCAGI does and encourage their national representatives to become involved with and contribute data to SCAGI products.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:  The SCAR Executive requested that SCAR products be promoted so that there would be a wider use and awareness of them within the SCAR community. If the actions suggested in SCAR DIMS were taken up by SCAGI members then users could have confidence in the SCAR CGA and SCAR ADD.

Partners: SCADM, SCAR member countries

Budget Implications:  For the SCAR CGA and SCAR ADD to be improved, it requires that, either SCAGI members take on the necessary work or the work is outsourced. Continuation of $4k a year allocation.