1-01-06 New code list "Domain"

[fstuerzl]

Summary and Purpose

The biogeophysical context of an observed variable according to the WIGOS Metadata Standard is among other aspects (matrix #278, layer #185) expressed by domains, such as atmosphere, earth etc.. Currently these terms are only indirectly mentioned in examples for category 1-01 Observed variable - measurand (see p. 19, WIGOS Metadata Standard) or in table names in the codes registry, but not properly defined.

Stakeholder(s)

@efucile @echarpent, GCW, GAW, GOS, WHOS, GCOS, GTOS, ...

Proposal

~ 9 June 2022 Include a code list for domains with the following entries:	notation	name	description
space	Space	Spatial extent above the atmosphere around Earth above the Kármán line at 100 km altitude.
atmosphere	Atmosphere	Spatial extent from the Earth surface towards but excluding space.
ocean	Ocean or Sea	Continuous saline, non-cryosphere part of the hydrosphere.
terrestrial	Terrestrial	Spatial extent comprised of land masses, normally not covered by the ocean or other water bodies and excluding cryosphere.
cryosphere	Cryosphere	A component of the Earth system that contains ice, including solid precipitation, snow, glaciers and ice caps, ice sheets, ice shelves, icebergs, sea ice, lake ice, river ice, permafrost, and seasonally frozen ground, or even 'dry' material in the case of permafrost. The cryosphere includes elements on or beneath the Earth's surface or that are measured at the surface in the case of solid precipitation. It therefore excludes ice clouds [and other atmospheric particles]. [Technical Regulations (WMO-No. 49), Vol 1]
hydrological	Hydrological	Non-saline, non-atmosphere, non-cryosphere part of the hydrosphere, including lakes, rivers, groundwater.
solidEarth	Solid Earth	Spatial extent of the Earth from the solid surface inwards.

Reason

Provide a consolidated vocabulary for domains. The OGC O&M (ISO19156) -based model for the representation of WIGOS metadata has a FeatureType 'Feature of interest'. The proposed codes will be used in this context to describe part of the context of an observation. Cf. The-idea-and-concept-behind-WMDS.

Consultations

WMO Secretariat (@echarpentier, @rodicanitu), @sebvi (ECMWF), @rhornbrook (NCAR), @fierz (SLF, NC IUGG), @JohnEyre (UKMO), @anthoninlize (OceanOPS)

[gaochen-larc]

I think "ocean" is better.

"solid precipitation" includes hail. The question is then should the phrase "including..." cover everything? "Frozen part of the terrestrial and ocean domains at and below the surface," is very clear to me. In this sense, my interpretation of "snow" is for the accumulated snow on the surface.

[anthoninlize]

I got only a couple of feedback from my team, who said that both 'ocean' and 'maritime/marine' are ok, with a slight preference for 'maritime/marine' as it's more inclusive. But again, if the definition is rock solid (or crystal clear, talking about water), we don't mind much. 'ocean' will be perfectly fine, and the definition seems good already.

[rodicanitu]

@fierz @joergklausen - IPCC SROCC definition of cryosphere, "components of the Earth System at and below the land and ocean surface that are frozen, including snow cover, glaciers, ice sheets, ice shelves, icebergs, sea ice, lake ice, river ice, permafrost, and seasonally frozen ground." The inclusion of solid precipitation, as in TR 49, is still debated by experts.

[fierz]

@rodicanitu IPCC SROCC definition of cryosphere Thanks Rodica. The current suggestion is indeed derived from the IPCC SROCC one and I can live with both. And the suggested SROCC definition seems to be clear to others too, thanks @gaochen-larc. Indeed, I also see 'snow' as the accumulation on the ground, on a glacier, on sea-ice, or on an ice sheet … As such, this concise definitions do not contradict the TR 49 one and we may not need to go into the debate about solid precipitation (snowfall, hail, ice pellets, etc.) here.

[joergklausen]

Issue concluded after TT-WIGOSMD meeting on 2022-03-22. Thanks to all involved for a lively, constructive discussion. This is a foundational codelist underpinning the normalized model for observed variables and methods of observation.

[amilan17]

@joergklausen @fstuerzl I think we should change the code table numbers for this and issue #278 , because table 1-06 is for 'Particle size range' and this a different type of table. What about 1-07-01 and 1-07-02?

[joergklausen]

@amilan17 Sure, makes sense. I have changed the title of the issue.

[amilan17]

@joergklausen -- I'm sorry to introduce this concern so late. But these domains are "almost" the same as the "disciplines/domains" for core data as defined in the WMO data policy and I want to make sure that we have captured the decision/rationale to not align these with the data policy. OR (sorry!) consider alignment with the data policy.

[joergklausen]

@amilan17 It's nice if the WMO data policy was inspired by our efforts ... more seriously, some of the same people were involved in developing both, and I have not heard any concerns about any mis-alignment. Moreover, the organisation of the WMO unified data policy resolution into 'disciplines/domains' has a different intent, and I don't think this is normative in any way.

The domains here are not 'disciplines', but really a division of the universe into different physical compartments that can be observed (or modeled).

If you want us to consider a last-minute change on the proposed list, I request you respond with a table mapping the two. Please include in a 3rd column what you think should be changed and why.

[amilan17]

@joergklausen - I think it will be sufficient to add a summary of the resources/publications used to help determine the domains and definitions, including the data policy.

[amilan17]

ready for FT