UIC User Taxonomy - KFonaine

From Earth Science Information Partners (ESIP)

UIC Draft User Types

Below are the categories drafted by the UIC User Type group. So far the Carbon CoP and the Weather CoP have been able to characterize their users using this taxonomy; the AQ CoP is in the process of using this.

User Family (EO Skill/Capacity Level)

  1. Academic/Research
  2. Application/Practitioner/Advisor
  3. Senior Decisionmaker/Politician
  4. General Public

User Class (Data sophistication level)

1. Raw data 2. Elementary value addition 3. Product 4. DSS

User Order (Spatial resolution level)

1. High 2. Medium 3. Coarse 4. Point/in situ

User Group (Urgency level)

1. Real time 2. Near real time 3. Delayed 4. none

User Series (Temporal level)

1. Frequently 2. Regularly 3. Occasionally 4. Once off

Example from the Carbon CoP:

Research scientists involved in data collection themselves Data in = raw data from other sources for comparison Data out = raw observations Taxonomy: Family: 1, Class: 1, Order: 1, Group: 3, Series: 2

In situ data processors (i.e. ERSL,ORNL, WMO) Data in = raw observations Data out = cross checked,calibrated, and integrated data sets Taxonomy: Family 1, Class: 1-3, Order: 1, Group: 2-3, Series: 1

Remote sensing data processors (i.e.JAXA, NASA, ESA) Data in = satellite retrievals Data out = 2D/3D concentration & surface property maps Taxonomy: Family:1, Class: 1, Order: 1, Group: 1, Series: 1

Research scientists doing dataanalysis/inversion modelling Data in: data sets from data centres and remote sensors Data out: Estimates of surface sources and sinks of CO2 Taxonomy: Family: 1, Class: 3, Order: 1, Group: 3, Series: 2

Research scientists doing process modelling (i.e. ocean, terrestrial ecosystems) Data in: Data from data centres, includes CO2, surface characteristics, climate data Data out: Surface CO2 flux fields Taxonomy: Family: 1, Class: 3, Order: 1, Group: 3, Series: 2

Data assimilation in real time (i.e.GEMS @ ECMWF) Data in: real time satellite retrivals for CO2 from i.e. AIRS Data out: real time assimilated 4D CO2 fields, possibly surface fluxes Taxonomy: Family: 1, Class: 3, Order: 1, Group: 1, Series: 1

Researchers doing coupled climate carbon cycle studies Data in: surface characteristics, climate data Data out: CO2 flux estimates Taxonomy: Family: 1, Class: 3, Order: 2, Group: 3, Series: 3

IPCC lead authors Data in: data sets of CO2 from data centres, surface flux estimates from above studies Data out: Assessment reports, SPMs Taxonomy: Family: 1, Class: 4, Order: 3, Group: 3, Series: 3

Policy makers interested in the impacts of carbon cycle modelling studies Data in: SPM from IPCC Data out: n.a. Taxonomy: Family 3, Class: 4, Order: 3, Group: 3, Series, 3

General public interested in the change in atmospheric composition Data in: Raw data from research labs, data sets from data centres, surface flux estimates, SPMs Data out: God knows. Taxonomy: Family: 4, Class: 3, Order: 4, Group: 3, Series: 4