Improving access to environmental data using context information

Abstract

A very large number of data sources on environment, energy, and natural resources are available worldwide. Unfortunately, users usually face several problems when they want to search and use environmental information. In this paper, we analyze these problems. We describe a conceptual analysis of the four major tasks in the production of environmental data, from the technology point of view, and describe the organization of the data that results from these tasks. We then discuss the notion of metainformation and outline an architecture for environmental data systems that formally models metadata and addresses some of the major problems faced by users.