A digital earth platform for sustainability

ABSTRACT

Based on the experience of the International Society for Digital Earth (ISDE), this paper describes some challenges foreseen in order to develop a Digital Earth platform that can support the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. The use of ready-to-use derived geospatial information is essential. Future Earth’s methodology of ‘co-design’ aims to bring together natural, social scientists and decision makers to plan and carry out research for sustainability. Sustainability implies transdisciplinary research, but in order for scientists of different disciplines to work together, they will need to be able to share, access and use common data. This is by far not simple! While the good will to share data might exist, the associated technological, ethical and privacy issues are difficult to solve. An adequate e-infrastructure will be required. ISDE could consider to use the SDGs is the basis to develop the desired Digital Earth platform. This paper, by no means, covers everything for a Digital Earth platform, it aims to trigger research discussions and to have a good view about a starting point.     

Sulle correnti telluriche nelle regioni equatoriali

Riassunto Si espongono i risultati delle osservazioni sulle correnti telluriche eseguite a Mogadiscio nel 1933 con misure delle due componenti NS ed EW, traendone alcune deduzioni che permettono di precisarne le caratteristiche, specie nei confronti del relativo andamento diurno.

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Summary The paper deals with the results of the earth-current-observations made at Mogadiscio during 1933. The analysis reveal elements for a new picture of the distribution of the earth-currents in the equatorial regions, particularly concerning the daily variation.

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Zusammenfassung Die Ergebnisse des Erdstrom-Beobachtungen durchgeführt in einigen Monaten des Jahres 1933 in Modagiscio sind angegeben. Aus des Diskussion folgen einige Elemente die eine Neubearbeitung des Darstellung des Erdstrom-Verteilung in dem äquatorialem Gürtel nötig machen und dazu dienen werden sollen. besonders in Beziehung auf den täglichen Gang.

     

Sullo spostamento dei cicloni nel Mediterraneo

Riassunto Vengono esaminati due esempi di spostamento retrogrado di depressioni nel Mediterraneo, illustrandone le cause. Per uno di essi si calcolano gli elementi energetici, dimostrando come il rapportoK/P fra l'energia cinetica e quella potenziale della depressione costituisca un indice della sua capacità di proseguire il moto lungo la rotta precedente.

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Summary Two examples of retrograde displacement of depressions in the Mediterranean are being examined, explaining their causes. For one of them the energetic elements are calculated showing how the ratioK/P between the kinetic and the potential energy of the depression constitutes an index of its capacity to continue the motion along the preceding course.

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Zusammenfassung Es werden zwei Fälle rückläufiger Bewegungen, von Mittelmeerdepressionen untersucht und die Ursachen derselben erläutert. Für einen dieser Fälle werden die Grössen der Energie berechnet: und es wird gezeigt, dass das VerhältnisK/P zwischen kinetischer und potentieller Energie massgebend ist für die Fähigkeit der Depression, ihre Bewegung in der ursprünglichen Richtung fortzusetzen.

     

Suscettivita' magnetica di alcuni minerali di magnetite

Riassunto Vengono esposti e discussi i risultati di alcune misure della suscetività magnetica di minerali magnetitiferi italiani. Fra l'altro si dimostra l'impossibilità di una legge generale di interdipendenza fra i valori della suscettività ed il carattere genetico dei giacimenti, indicando nuovi orientamenti per approfondire con successo simili indagini.

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Summary The results of some measures of magnetic susceptibility of italian magnetic ores are reported and discussed. It is proved the impossibility of a general relation between the magnitude of the susceptibility and the genetic character of the ores; however, new views are pointed out to successfully deepen the results.

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Zusammenfassung Die Ergebnisse einiger Suszeptibilit?ts-Messungen von ital. Magnetit-Mineralien verschiedener Genesis werden angegeben und erl?utert. U. a. beweist man, dass ein allgemeine Gesetz für eine einfache Zusammenhang zwischen den Werte der Suszeptibilit?t und die genetischen Eigentümlichkeiten der Lagerst?tten nicht bestehen kann. Neue Forschungsrichtungen dafür werden vorgeschlagen.

     

Sulla distribuzione delle precipitazioni a Milano e nella regione circostante

Riassunto Richiamate le condizioni pluviometriche medie cui è soggetta la regione milanese, vengono illustrati e discussi i risultati ottenuti nel biennio 1946–1947 per la distribuzione della pioggia nell'area cittadina, durante la primavera, l'estate e l'autunno. L'influenza alteratrice delle città in tale distribuzione appare evidente, particolarmente nella primavera.

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Zusammenfassung Ausgehend von den mittleren Niederschlagsverhältnissen in der Region von Mailand, wird die Verteilung der Niederschläge im Frühjahr, Sommer und Herbst der Jahre 1946 und 1947 im Stadtareal von Mailand dargestellt und diskutiert. Der Einfluss der Stadt auf die Niederschlagsverteilung tritt deutlich in Erscheinung, besonders im Frühjahre.

     

Ottant'anni di Osservazioni Meteorologiche a Moncalieri (Torino)

Riassunto Si espongono ed illustrano i valori medi dei principali elementi meteorologici osservati a Moncalieri senza alcuna interruzione nell'ottantennio 1865–1945 e durante il quarantennio 1907–1946 per il vento. L'analisi delle medie quinquennali ed annuali pone in luce qualche caratteristica della variazione secolare dei medesimi fattori.

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Zusammenfassung Die Mittelwerte der wichtigsten meteorologischen Elemente die in Moncalieri ohne Unterbrechung gesammelt worden sind, werden angegeben und zwar für den Zeitraum 1865–1945, ausgenommen für den Wind, deren Beobachtungen auf die Periode 1907–1946 sich beziehen. Die Gänge der fünfjährigen und jährlichen Mitteln zeigen einige Eigentümlichkeiten der sekularen Variation für denselben Elemente, die herausgehoben werden.

     

Adaptations for scavenging by three diverse bathyla species, Eptatretus stouti, Neptunea amianta and Orchomene obtusus

Many deep-sea animals derive part of their nutrition from rare and unpredictable food falls. However, traits that allow organisms inhabiting the sea floor to exploit carrion are poorly understood. We found in laboratory experiments that hagfish (Eptatretus stouti), gastropods (Neptunea amianta) and amphipods (Orchomene obtusus) survived extended periods of starvation, in some cases for more than a year. When exposed to odors emitted from carrion, most individuals of E. stouti and O. obtusus began searching for food within seconds, whereas none responded to the scent of the live prey. In contrast, the slow crawling N. amianta readily consumed carrion but showed no apparent response to any odor solutions tested. Because more motile animals exhibited lower thresholds for response to signal molecules, sensitivity to chemical cues appears related to species mobility. Hagfish were also found to defend carrion from some competitors by releasing slime when feeding. Though varying dramatically in size, morphology, locomotive ability, and phylogeny, these three species all possess traits well suited for a scavenging lifestyle.     

Linking geomorphology and hydrodynamics: a case study from Península Valdés, Patagonia, Argentina

A case study is presented to assess the relevance of geomorphology in hydrogeological phenomena in an arid coastal area in the Argentinean extra-Andean Patagonia (Península Valdés) with an average rainfall of 232 mm/year and a soil moisture deficit of about 472 mm/year. Various geomorphic units were identified by interpreting Landsat 7 satellite images processed with ER Mapper software and then surveyed in the field, as well as by geological characterization. The hydrodynamic analysis was based on a survey of 89 wells, the construction of equipotential maps, and the interpretation of pumping-test results by a non-equilibrium method. The hydrochemical characterization was based on chemical tests analyzed with the Easy_Quim 6.0 application. The combination of geomorphological, geological, hydrodynamic and hydrochemical elements allowed the definition of hydromorphological units that are typical of recharge, circulation and discharge areas, the latter both for coastal and inland areas in wetlands (salt pans) with elevations to ?40 m relative to sea level. These units and the criteria used for their definition allow immediate recognition of hydrogeological phenomena in arid regions such as the extra-Andean Patagonia, with low information density but with near-optimal satellite imaging of landforms due to the lack of vegetation cover.     

A calibration system for superconducting gravimeters

A new method for the calibration of a superconducting gravity meter is described, in which a 273 Kg annular mass is placed around the meter and is moved up and down. The geometry of the apparatus is easy to model and the accuracy in the computation of the gravity variation induced by the mass, 6.7µgal, is limited only by the accuracy in the knowledge of value of the gravitational constant. Measurements done in 91 and 92 for the calibration of the instrument GWR-T015 are described. The calibration factor has been determined with a precision of about 0.3%.