METAFOR
Encyclopedia
The Common Metadata for Climate Modelling Digital Repositories, or METAFOR project, is creating a Common Information Model
(CIM) for climate data and the models that produce it.
The CIM aims to describe climate data and the models that produce it in a standard way, and to address the fragmentation and gaps in availability of metadata (data describing data) as well as duplication of information collection and problems of identifying, accessing or using climate data that are currently found in existing repositories. A further aim of the METAFOR project is to ensure the wide adoption of the CIM.
METAFOR is optimizing the way climate data infrastructures are used to store knowledge, thereby adding value to primary research data and information, and providing an essential asset for the numerous stakeholders actively engaged in climate change issues (policy, research, impacts, mitigation, private sector).
METAFOR has created tools for practical use of the CIM, e.g., the CMIP5
questionnaire for input and creation of CIM documents. External groups, e.g., the Earth Systems Grid
, are also writing tools for CIM content.
to produce the metadata for the 5th Coupled model intercomparison project
, an international experiment involving multiple general circulation models that will serve as a basis for the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report
.
The CMIP5 questionnaire is an ambitious metadata collection tool and will help scientists to provide the most comprehensive metadata of any climate model inter-comparison project. It aims to collect enough detail to allow users to easily:
The questionnaire also allows users to enter descriptions of components which are not already specified by the questionnaire controlled vocabulary. It produces XML output complies with the Metafor Common Information Model (CIM), allowing tools and services developed using the CIM to be applied to the questionnaire outputs.
Common Information Model (computing)
The Common Information Model is an open standard that defines how managed elements in an IT environment are represented as a common set of objects and relationships between them...
(CIM) for climate data and the models that produce it.
The CIM aims to describe climate data and the models that produce it in a standard way, and to address the fragmentation and gaps in availability of metadata (data describing data) as well as duplication of information collection and problems of identifying, accessing or using climate data that are currently found in existing repositories. A further aim of the METAFOR project is to ensure the wide adoption of the CIM.
METAFOR is optimizing the way climate data infrastructures are used to store knowledge, thereby adding value to primary research data and information, and providing an essential asset for the numerous stakeholders actively engaged in climate change issues (policy, research, impacts, mitigation, private sector).
METAFOR has created tools for practical use of the CIM, e.g., the CMIP5
Coupled model intercomparison project
In climatology, the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project is the analog of AMIP for global coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation models. CMIP began in 1995 under the auspices of the Working Group on Coupled Modeling , which is in turn under auspices of CLIVAR and the Joint Scientific...
questionnaire for input and creation of CIM documents. External groups, e.g., the Earth Systems Grid
Earth System Grid
The Earth System Grid is a data distribution portal whose development is funded mainly by the United States Department of Energy. It is the portal through which the Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is distributing data for the IPCC...
, are also writing tools for CIM content.
METAFOR and the CMIP5 metadata questionnaire
METAFOR was tasked by the World Climate Research ProgrammeWorld Climate Research Programme
The World Climate Research Programme was established in 1980, under the joint sponsorship of International Council for Science and the World Meteorological Organization, and has also been sponsored by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO since 1993. It is a component of the...
to produce the metadata for the 5th Coupled model intercomparison project
Coupled model intercomparison project
In climatology, the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project is the analog of AMIP for global coupled ocean-atmosphere general circulation models. CMIP began in 1995 under the auspices of the Working Group on Coupled Modeling , which is in turn under auspices of CLIVAR and the Joint Scientific...
, an international experiment involving multiple general circulation models that will serve as a basis for the IPCC Fifth Assessment Report
IPCC Fifth Assessment Report
The Fifth Assessment Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , will be the fifth in a series of such reports...
.
The CMIP5 questionnaire is an ambitious metadata collection tool and will help scientists to provide the most comprehensive metadata of any climate model inter-comparison project. It aims to collect enough detail to allow users to easily:
- browse the archive & find desired datasets
- easily differentiate between the “genealogy” (related models & experiments) of datasets
The questionnaire also allows users to enter descriptions of components which are not already specified by the questionnaire controlled vocabulary. It produces XML output complies with the Metafor Common Information Model (CIM), allowing tools and services developed using the CIM to be applied to the questionnaire outputs.
External links
- METAFOR home page
- CMIP5 questionnaire page
- Metafor: Managing Metadata For Climate Models, Zero-In Third Issue eMagazine
- Formal announcement of the CMIP5 questionnaire release
- Earth System Grid portalEarth System GridThe Earth System Grid is a data distribution portal whose development is funded mainly by the United States Department of Energy. It is the portal through which the Program for Climate Model Diagnosis and Intercomparison at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory is distributing data for the IPCC...