(la) Data Requirements 
Chairman: Scott Madry 
Rutgers University, USA 
The discussion session on Global data requirements was held from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM on May 
31, 1995. The discussion was led and reported by the Chair, Dr. Scott Madry of Rutgers University, 
USA. About 20 persons participated in the discussion. 
The topic was data requirements for global datasets. These datasets are important for a variety uses, 
including global and regional change research, planning of global human activities such as large-scale 
land use planning and international development, as well as environmental teaching, public and policy 
education, and training. In 1988 the Earth Systems Science Committee of NASA summarized 
physical quantities which should be observed and measured over long duration for global change 
research. There have been no additional reports (to our knowledge) discussing requirements for 
global datasets. The discussion session began with a discussion of what we were to consider, 
including: what kinds of global data should be prepared? What spatial and temporal specifications are 
needed? What should be done to improve the state of global data acquisition and availability? 
The first issue discussed was "Who are the users of these data?" Several general categories were 
included, such as: global change and other scientists and researchers, applications users such as 
international organizations and development agencies (UN FAO, AID, etc.), governmental agencies 
and policy makers, educators and teachers, and commercial interests. There needs to be an increase in 
the number of kinds of data users, such as commercial users and secondary educators, that are 
considered as users of these data. 
Each of these have different priorities and requirements, and the group felt that it was not possible to 
outline specific data or sensor needs (spatial and spectral resolution, etc.) required for improved 
global data in the brief amount of time available. We chose instead to consider different aspects of 
global data requirements and related issues. 
One interesting suggestion and further discussion revolved around the need to better justify the 
development of such data (and the sensors and systems required to acquire, analyze, and distribute 
them). This was discussed in terms of an analog to the "Human Genome" project. This project has 
been very successful in getting large funding for an important basic science project which also has 
very real practical benefits to humanity. An analog "Global Biome" project, with practical justification 
is needed that will provide sufficient funding for long-term data acquisition and dissemination of 
global-scale data. Of course EOS and related activities are a major first step in this direction, but with 
the current funding situation, we need to do a better job of justifying the practical, beneficial aspects 
of these data. Commercial applications are also an important area that is not sufficiently considered by 
the scientific community. 
Linkages were also an important area discussed. There needs to be improved linkages between what 
are traditionally separate communities. We need better linkages and interaction between the climate 
and ecology communities, for example. More trans-disciplinary research, going beyond traditional 
disciplines is required. Both to address the complexity of the issues addressed at a global scale, but 
also to provide for broadened research perspectives. This linkage theme went well beyond the 
scientific community. We felt that there is an important need for improved linkages between all levels 
of government, science, and industry in terms of defining appropriate global data requirements and 
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