This EAGER award focuses on exploring the feasibility of the implementation of a new paradigm in the development of an integrative and interoperable data and knowledge management system for the geosciences for a new NSF initiative called EarthCube. Led by a team of expert Earth system modelers, this project focuses on developing new approaches for integrating and coupling model components so that holistic geoscience scenarios that involve the interaction of large scale climate and atmospheric circulation models and smaller, more heterogeneous component models of surface earth processes can be explored and more effectively used by a broader range of users. The project engages participants from a number of major NSF-funded geoscience modeling investments (CSDMS, NCAR, CUHAUSI). A main goal of the of the work is to bridge the gaps between present modeling frameworks, data standards, and computational architectures. The approach includes collection of all relevant approaches and then comparing their pros and cons and linking existing different "plug and play" modeling components together and assessing the accuracy and robustness of model results. Major project goals are to see if more standard modeling protocols can be developed and to develop a general roadmap for improving the interoperability and meshing of model components that address phenomena at wildly different spatial and temporal scales. Broader impacts of the work include building new modeling infrastructure for science and leveraging prior NSF investments in cyberinfrastructure. It also improves the utility of, ease of use, and broader access of scientists and other potential users to more fully integrated and powerful earth systems models.
This NSF EarthCube EAGER project contributed to EarthCube visioning process by providing key earth science modeler input in the form of our 30-page roadmap on Earth System Model coupling needs and requirements. This document reviewed the status of several leading earth system model coupling architectures and proposed a set of requirements for future development that would facilitate wider community access and usability of earth system models and their components. The project also initiated development of a completely new, trans-disciplinary geoscientific modeling capability through utilization and enhancement of Earth system modeling architectures. Specifically, under this project the regional Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) atmospheric model has been coupled into the Community Surface Dynamics Modeling System (CSDMS). The new coupled system provides a clear pathway for seamless cross-domain research between weather and climate sciences and many geoscience disciplines. Work on completing this computer model coupling activity is continuing under a current, follow-on EarthCube project. In addition, to this major model coupling undertaking a number of lower-level software development activities were completed under this project which resulted in the development and release of a set of Geographic Information System (GIS) tools for interfacing physiographic and hydrologic data with the community WRF and WRF-Hydro modeling systems. Communication and project results dissemination was a major activity of this project. Our project team held two major workshops on general model coupling strategies and one early-career scientist training workshop. Additionally, projects participants contributed to the June 2012 NSF Earthcube Charrette, have made several presentations at professional meetings and other EarthCube events. The project provided substantial exposure and experiences for early career scientists to participate in project calls, workshops, charrettes, and report preparation. These opportunities culminated in the aforementioned early-career scientist training workshop, held at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado , November of 2013. During that workshop detailed presentations and tutorials on the use of the WRF model, WRF-Hydro coupling system and the CSDMS architecture were provided and all materials were made available to workshop participants.
