Microsoft eScience Project
Computer sciences have an opportunity to play an integral role in the transformation
of a new hydrology for the 21st Century. Computer science applications and
advances are needed along every step of the sensor-, data-, and modeling-intensive
hydrological synthesis processes. Advances are needed to transition hydrology
from a field that employs software and hardware (which are typically designed
for other purposes and are fragmented between data providers, curators, integrators
and end-users) to a field where various participants can: assimilate complex,
multi-scale datasets collected from a deluge of networked microsensors to
global satellite platforms; employ computationally intensive modeling and
knowledge discovery tools that permit hypothesis testing; combine different
model and analytical tools, across heterogeneous computational platforms to
tackle large-scale computational problems; perform workflow tracking, data
management, and data archiving; perform visualizations; and effectively collaborate
and disseminate ideas, results, and resources internationally. The tools and
resources must allow (and even encourage) global interaction between water
researchers and professionals, social scientists, policy makers and end-users
throughout the world in an efficient and distributed fashion.
Recognizing the importance of partnerships between computer science leaders and physical science to stimulate the developments within computing science that will in turn enable the advancements needed for 21st Century water resources management, Microsoft has chosen the Berkeley Water Center to host a eScience Project focused on Water Cyberinfrastructure. Through close interaction between computer scientists and water specialists at the BWC, we are developing new tools and approaches to benefit the entire water science, as well as the general e-Science community.
In an effort to develop optimal approaches for tackling different types of water problems, the Berkeley Water Center -Microsoft team will develop two different water portals. The first portal will focus on integrating data associated with the global Fluxnet synthesis effort and the Ameriflux suite of environmental observatories to improve the understanding of continental-scale carbon fluxes and carbon-climate interactions. The second portal will focus on improving the understanding and management of California water. More information about these projects can be found through the links provided below.