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Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) UPDATE
Jan. 15, 2007

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Data Management and Communications (DMAC): What is it?

DMAC is the subsystem of the Integrated Ocean Observing System that is responsible for data integration, coordination and delivery to users at regional and national levels. An overview of DMAC and current planning and implementation efforts for GLOS is now available at www.glos.us/pdf/FINALglos_dmac.pdf. GLOS regional DMAC efforts are focused on the system design requirements for incorporating the following information resources, among others:

  • a comprehensive binational (U.S. and Canada) monitoring inventory;
  • NOAA's CoastWatch Great Lakes products;
  • framework geospatial datasets and detailed geospatial mapping of coastal, open lake and riverine conditions collected under the International Joint Commission's Lake Ontario - St. Lawrence River Study;
  • water level and meteorological observations produced by the NOAA CO-OPS program;
  • air emissions datasets from the eight Great Lakes states and the province of Ontario; and,
  • integration of the Great Lakes Information Network (GLIN) as a clearinghouse node in the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI).
Additional geospatial data resources are being factored into the design of the regional DMAC architecture, including open lake observations made from moorings and remotely sensed observations operated and maintained by universities across the region. The Service Oriented Architecture deployed by the GLOS-DMAC is being implemented in stages as datasets become readily available from collaborating organizations.


GLOS Education / Outreach planning

The GLOS Regional Association has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network (GLSGN) to implement an education and outreach campaign to promote the objectives of GLOS across the region. This broad public awareness campaign involves an oversight committee with representation from the seven programs in the GLSGN. The Committee meets via monthly conference calls, which commenced in September 2006. Activities will include:

  • further assessments of user needs, gaps and deficiencies in existing services;
  • design and promotion of a GLOS awareness campaign;
  • development of promotional materials (e.g., fact sheets, news releases, newsletters);
  • convening of workshops to highlight new modeling and remote sensing initiatives; and
  • outreach at regional events, including the annual conference of the International Association for Great Lakes Research (IAGLR). GLOS will be well-represented at IAGLR with a full session of invited papers on "Observing Systems," a special science/policy forum on "The Role of Monitoring and Observing Networks in Supporting Regional Decisionmaking," and in numerous education/outreach sessions and posters.


Upcoming Events
Great Lakes Day in Washington, March 7, 2007, Washington, D.C.
This annual event features presentations and dialogue on Great Lakes priorities by regional leaders and members of Congress. Co-sponsored by the Great Lakes Commission and the Northeast-Midwest Institute. The Great Lakes Commission will be coordinating office visits along with the Great Lakes Congressional Task Force, Great Lakes State Offices in Washington, Northeast-Midwest Institute and the Healing Our Waters Coalition. This coordination and other preparatory sessions will take place on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 6.

14th Annual International Conference on the St. Lawrence River Ecosystem, May 15-17, 2007, NAV Canada Training Institute & Conference Centre, Cornwall, Ontario Canada
The conference will highlight the importance of tributaries and wetlands including their influences on water quality and critical roles as unique habitats. Hosted by the St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences, the University of Ottawa and the Ontario Clean Water Agency/Ontario Research Water Works Research Consortium.

50th Annual IAGLR Conference on Great Lakes Research, May 28-June 1, 2007, Penn State University, University Park, Pa.
The conference will recognize the history of research on the Great Lakes and our present state of knowledge, as well as take a look into the future of how the organization can address the complex limnological and management issues that lay ahead. A GLOS session is planned.

>> More GLOS-related events: www.glos.us/about/events.php
>> More IOOS-related events: www.ocean.us/event

This Update is prepared by the GLOS secretariat as a service to the GLOS Board of Directors, Regional Interest Group and all other interested parties. Refer to www.glos.us for more information on GLOS activities and milestones.