On October 1st we participated the session “Data Spaces: the EC Solution for Environmental, Biodiversity, and Climate Challenges. Different Approaches to Multisource Data, Semantics, FAIRness, and Sovereignty,” at the Open-Earth Monitor Global Workshop 2024.
The session, led by Joan Maso and Ivette Serral (CREAF), provided a valuable platform for discussing key issues critical to the success of the Green Deal Data Space (GDDS) and its integration with related projects. It began with lightning talks that covered a range of important topics, including:
- Metadata
- Metadata is tailored specifically for satellite data but it lacks coverage for terrestrial products.
- There are several challenges in aligning diverse standards such as ISO 19115, STAC, and GeoDCAT.
- Data Access
- Data access gaps have been identified in legacy OGC Web Services.
- Emphasized the need for modern APIs, including OGC API – Coverage, OGC Environmental Data Retrieval API, and openEO.
- Concepts and Vocabularies
- Concepts and vocabularies have been highlighted as crucial for interoperability.
- Underlying conceptual models were recognized for their role in enabling harmonization.
- Rich vocabularies, such as those for Observable Properties via I-ADOPT, were noted for enhancing semantic depth.
- Analysis and Processing
- The potential of ML/AI was described as groundbreaking, though the reliability of outputs remains uncertain.
- A need for support in estimating resource consumption was identified.
Kathi Schleidt, the technical coordinator of Fairicube, actively contributed to the panel discussions and expressed her appreciation for the initiative. She noted, “Ivette Serral prompted an important reflection on data security, reminding us that while FAIR data is findable and accessible, it is not necessarily open. This underscores the additional work required to balance openness with data sovereignty and security. Overall, the workshop was an exceptionally productive experience, enriched by the engaging discussions and valuable insights shared.”
Many thanks to the organizers for facilitating such a meaningful event!