Continuity of Earth Observation Data for Australia: Research ... - csiro

2.3.3 Linkages to Operational Programs
The CEODA-Ops Report (Geoscience Australia, 2011) listed 91 5 operational EO programs currently
being undertaken in Australia (see Appendix B). These were referenced in the CEODA-R&D survey to
demonstrate the linkages between current R&D projects and operational outcomes. Survey respondents
were asked to select up to three of these operational programs that were related to their projects. During
the survey process, ten additional programs were identified to produce a final list of 101 operational
programs (see Appendix B for details) that are related to the surveyed R&D projects.
Over 70% of the R&D projects surveyed cited one or more linkages to 60 of these current operational
programs. Those programs supported by multiple research projects are listed in Table 2-9.
It should be noted that AusCover TERN and the Centre for Weather and Climate Research (CAWCR)
were included in both the CEODA-Ops list of operational programs and the CEODA-R&D survey. These
projects are unique in that they involve the joint establishment of research infrastructure and EO data
centres to support both research and operational activities. As such, the two surveys address different
aspects of their work.
Those operational programs that are most supported by the surveyed R&D projects involve large area
monitoring and/or modelling of environmental resources. In particular, EO-dependent programs that involve
legislative monitoring, such as the National Carbon Accounting System (NCAS), have been developed from,
and continue to be refined by, Australian R&D projects. Australia is now a world leader in carbon accounting
and shares this expertise with the global community through agreements such as the International Forest
Carbon Initiative (IFCI) and co-leadership of the GEO Forest Carbon Tracking task and associated Global
Forest Observation Initiative (GFOI).
Many of the methodologies being used in operational programs are also derived from R&D projects that
are initiated without direct operational linkages. The Sentinel Hotspots program, for example, which was
based on the adaptation of international fire detection systems (Dyce et al., 2004), was conceptualised by
CSIRO and the Defence Imagery and Geospatial Organisation, and implemented in collaboration with GA.
This Australian expertise has also been used to help set up the multi-hazard Sentinel Asia program (Held
and Kaku, 2007). Similarly, the successful Statewide Landcover and Tree Survey (SLATS) program initiated
in Queensland is being adapted for use in NSW and Victoria. State agencies are generally focused on
implementation, rather than development, of original methodologies for operational use, and rely on the
results of R&D projects to direct their implementations.
5 Program 26 was not included in this list due to insufficient EOS data usage.
24 Continuity of Earth Observation Data for Australia: R&D • January 2012