LifeWatch

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e-Science and Technology Infrastructurefor
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research

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Biodiversity
Species (organisms and their populations) gt107
species species with 102 to 1012 individuals
Genes and DNA 106 to 109 nucleotides in a DNA
molecule
Ecosystems habitats with 104 to 106
species, and manyfold interactions
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Estimated number of species
X 1000
Mostly insects
?
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(No Transcript)
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The big questions in biodiversity research
Ecosystems
Time and evolution
Species
DNA, proteins and genes
Scale
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Which actions to ensure long-term sustainability
How to manage multi-functional
land/sea-scapes
Where are the thresholds in ecosystem structures
and functions
?
Can we adapt to environmental change
What are the impacts of changes in climate,
pollution and land/sea-use on biodiversity
How do changes affect the provision of ecosystem
services
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The biodiversity system is complex and cannot be
described by the simple sum of its components
and relations
Experimentation on a few parameters is not
enough Limitations to scaling up results for
understanding system properties
LifeWatch adds a new technology to support the
generation and analysis of large-scale data-sets
on the biodiversity system. Find patterns and
learn processes.
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• This defines an infrastructure with
• distributed observatories/sensors,
• interoperable databases,
• computational capability,
• and computational capacity.

• A single portal for researchers,
• policy makers, industries and public at large
• Find data and model to analyse statistical
  relationships
• Accelerate data capture with new technologies
• Structure the scientific community
• with new opportunities for large-scale projects

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LifeWatch an Analytical Platform

• supports research on biodiversity and ecosystem
  functioning from the gene up to the landscape
  level
• drives frontier science through fast and new
  technologies
• combines science and policy perspectives

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Year 2013 Increasing worries about the effects of
climate change on the invasion of pest
insects. A researcher has an innovative plan to
model the possible effects on food crops. This
requires data sets from all over Eurasia and lots
of computational capacity.
Year 2014 Our researcher builds a LifeWatch
virtual work space and attracts dozens of
collaborators inventing additional functions.
Data providers also jump in.
Year 2015 Donors are starting a campaign for a
funding programme. The researcher receives an
important prize.
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Crucial resources
Ecosystems
Analysis modelling
Species
Interoperability
Genes
Observatories
data
functions
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Architecture

• Collaboration
• Common Exploratory Environment
• Collaborative Virtual Organisations

Users
Semantic metadata framework and workflow
development
Composition
Analysis and processing Integration of
resources Documented, shared workflows Grid
computation
E-Infrastructure
Data measurements, observations
sensors other infrastructures Statistical
software Distributed computing power
Resources
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Users
The LifeWatch research infrastructure
Composition
E-Infrastructure
Resources
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LifeWatch and GBIF serving each other
Users
LifeWatch supports its users to share their data
through GBIF
Composition
E-Infrastructure
GBIF provides access to data (web services)
Resources
GBIF
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LifeWatch Highway for analyses and use
Applications
Models
GBIF Data sharing on species, specimens and
observations
Analytical tools
Data access interoperability
Data / resource providers
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Some examples of data, modelling and analysis
capabilities
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Benefits and user groups
Basic research Molecular biology Population
biology Systematics Ecosystem research Systems
biology Computation Economy
Applied sciences Nature conservation
management Agriculture Fisheries Epidemiology Pha
rmacy Biotechnology
Other communities EEA, Ministries and
national agencies Engineering comp. Oil mining
industry Insurance Military Information Tech
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LifeWatch as a distributed research
infrastructure
Distributed independent entities, but crucial for
LifeWatch operations
Distributed entities owned by LifeWatch
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Data networks
LifeWatch
Applications Analysis/ Modelling Data
integration Data management Data
generation (digitizing sampling sensoring
LTER network and marine stations
Collection and observation networks
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Some partners in the infrastructure grid
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The assumed Life Watch life cycle
1995
2005
2008
2011
2014
Earlier projects
Conception
Preparations
Construction
Operation Evolution
Critical !

2008
2009
2010
Political commitment
initial decision
final decision
Construction blue print
logistics construction
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Preferred phase transition
Construction Phase
Activities
Preparatory Phase
Time
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The Life Watch Preparatory Phase
A Policy Science Board oversees the project
Networks of Excellence
Countries
Coord. Management
Preparatory project

Publicity PR
Risk Quality Control
Strategy
Legal organisation
Financial plan
Construction policy
Service plan
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Scientific networks
Partnership in the preparatory project
Contracted participants
Countries
Executive participants
Other partners
Status as per November 2009 19 countries letter
of support for the preparations Up to now, 11
countries selected LifeWatch for their national
Road Map 7 of these will start consultations and
negotiations Also interest from other continents
Data networks
International infrastructures

User sectors
Industry
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2012
Target time line
1st Operational services
2011
Additional countries join the LifeWatch ERIC
New LifeWatch organisation in place
Signatory event with Ministers 1st meeting
Governing Board
End of the Preparatory Project
2010
EC approves the Statutes
Early start of start-up organisation for the
Construction Phase
Go/no-go for the Construction
Critical mass to start early Constructions
Submission of ERIC Statutes Stakeholders Board
meets
Master Plan in the public
Governance
Project
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Thank you