EDIOS is a searchable marine Directory of the ocean observing, measuring, and monitoring systems operating in Europe and is an initiative of EuroGOOS (European Global Ocean-observing System). The project will constitute a prerequisite for the full implementation of EuroGOOS by allowing for the first time an analysis of the continuously available data for operational models in Europe, and hence the ability to optimise the deployment of instruments, and the design of sampling strategy. Classification of the ocean-observing sites/devices included in EDIOS will set European standards for ocean observations and help define the initial European ocean-observing system.

Scientific objectives and approach:

EDIOS will include information on

• technical specifications of the data collection methods (instruments, sensors, ships, nets, etc.),
• geographic co-ordinates,
• specifications of the kind of measurements taken as well as of their spatio-temporal characteristics (but not the observational values),
• approximate accuracy of measurements,
• present applications of the sampled data including derived products,
• responsible agency/institute for each instrument or sensor, and
• links to data-holding agencies and institutes.

Those ocean-observing sites/devices that meet minimum standards with regard to their geographic distribution and their reliability, frequency, and processing of the data sampled will be classified for inclusion in EuroGOOS regional models. The importance on considering requirements and priorities of all kinds of users will be met by strong user involvement in all significant steps of the Directory's design (e.g. meta-data entries, user interface). A user-friendly visual interface will ensure multipurpose use of the Directory allowing a large variety of users from different sectors to perform individual searches through the Directory without being experts on data base use. Regular update of EDIOS in the future will ensure that the directory will bring to light most European ocean-observing systems operating on a continuous level.

Expected impacts:

EDIOS will represent a much needed management and design tool that will permit the scientific and logistic design of a long-term marine observing system, combining operational agencies and research projects as sources. Scientists and forecasters testing, developing, and designing ocean data assimilation for numerical models will use EDIOS for identifying the geographic sources of data and examining different designs of the systems. EDIOS will enable rapid combination and co-ordination of national ocean-observing stations to improve monitoring and modelling around European seas, and to plan investments to develop and refine observations. It will also allow the present performance of the ocean-observing and forecasting system to be assessed in terms of instruments and platforms, and it will set European standards for ocean-observing technology by developing a classification system for the performance of ocean-observing devices. This will eventually lead to a much needed compatibility and high standard of ocean-observations throughout Europe and help reducing the overall costs of the national operational oceanographic programmes. Furthermore, EDIOS will provide market data to instrument and equipment manufacturers, who can see where there are sales potentials. Finally, EDIOS will encourage transnational wide-ranging scientific use of the data generated by the ocean-observing systems included in the directory which will benefit efforts to predict, assess the impact, and formulate response options to global change.