Information-computational System for Online Analysis of Georeferenced Climatological Data

An Internet accessible information-computational system (ICS) is dedicated to visualization and analysis of geospatial gridded datasets in the area of Earth system science (local observations, remote sensing and modeling) and climatology in particular. This online ICS is based on a dedicated software framework consisting of three key parts: server-side computational back-end, server-side middleware represented by Geoserver software and PHP controllers, and JavaScript library for building typical components of web mapping client GUI developed using AJAX techniques. Huge multidimensional geospatial datasets are stored in a Network Common Data Form (NetCDF) and processed by a set of validated software modules included in the back-end. Results of a processing are represented by overlapped raster and vector layers placed over a georeferenced background. Data processing functionality allows performing basic and complex statistical analysis of climatological data whilst online geo-information system (GIS) instruments give a user an ability to combine and place georeferenced results over a chosen cartographical basis. It can provide specialists involved into multidisciplinary research projects, and even users without programming skills, with reliable and practical online instruments for integrated research of climate and ecosystems changes through a unified web-interface.