SGER: Development of Community Networking and Outreach for GeoSystems

University Of Oklahoma Norman Campus, Norman OK

Investigators

Abstract

GeoSystems is a developing community-based initiative that focuses on the importance of the deep-time perspective for understanding the complexities of Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and surficial lithosphere using climate as the focus. The GeoSystems initiative holds the potential to catalyze rapid and innovative progress in research and education on Earth's climate and related systems, but will require concerted effort in (1) networking with other initiatives in Geoinformatics (e.g. CHRONOS), to forge alliances on topics of mutual relevance and begin to formulate tools appropriate for mining and linking large databases, (2) building the community of GeoSystems researchers and stimulating collaboration within that community, and (3) initiating outreach efforts aimed at education in GeoSystems and the role of Geoinformatics in this effort. To begin to realize these objectives, funds are requested for workshops and meetings, and information dissemination via development of the GeoSystems website and related materials (newsletters, brochures, etc.). Intellectual Merit--Ultimately, these efforts will augment our understanding of Earth's climate and related systems, expanding our grasp of climate-system behavior, thresholds, feedbacks, nonlinearity, and positively impacting climate modeling and prediction. Broader Impact-Planned outreach and education efforts will capitalize on the remarkable Earth-system couplings and biotic impacts preserved in Earth history, which capture the imaginations of all-- the university professor to the grade-schooler-- and thus provide ideal fodder for science education at all levels.