The Global Earth Observation System of Systems or GEOSS links together existing and planned observing systems around the world and supports the development of new systems where gaps currently exist. It is based in Geneva under Director General Barbara Ryan. ITC has been involved through the GEONETCAST, as well as the GEONETCAP projects. The department of Natural Resources at the Faculty ITC of the University of Twente is involved in the Global Agricultural Geo-monitoring or GEOGLAM initiative through Kees de Bie, as well as the GEOSS for biodiversity or GEOBON through Professor Andrew Skidmore.
Professor Skidmore is Task Leader for Working Group 3: Terrestrial Ecosystem Change (WG3). He attended the NASA sponsored meeting of the GEOBON consortium from 3-6 December 2012 in Monterey, California. WG 3 had a positive and lively discussion focusing on products to be delivered by 2015 in its core area of Terrestrial Ecosystems Change. A presentation to the plenary highlighted the achievements of the WG 3 and these achievements were further developed and morphed into the following themes and deliverables:
- Chapter 3 of the GEOBON Handbook.
Theme Lead Wageningen University (Rob Jongman). - Building the network of field sites.
Theme Lead Centre for Ecosystem and Hydrology (Terry Parr). - Ecosystem elements and essential biodiversity variables.
Theme lead University of Twente, Faculty ITC (Andrew Skidmore). - Global ecosystem mapping and stratification.
Theme Lead USGS (Roger Sayre). - Ecosystem restoration and degradation.
Theme Lead Aberystwyth University (Richard Lucas). - Links to other GEO groups.
Theme Lead CSIRO (Craig James). - Capacity building.
Theme Lead Humboldt Institute (Nancy Aguirre).