GEOSS Architecture Principles and the GEOSS Clearinghouse

The global earth observation system of systems (GEOSS) is composed of diverse component systems contributed by members and participating organizations of the group on earth observations (GEO). To enable these diverse components to interoperate, the GEOSS architecture embodies principles given in the GEOSS 10-year implementation plan and reference document. A basic principle is adoption of international standards and common interoperability arrangements, as seen in the contributed facility known as GEOSS Clearinghouse. GEOSS Clearinghouse acts as a cross-cutting discovery tool, encompassing all registered GEOSS components and external catalogs as well. Together, the GEOSS architecture and GEOSS clearinghouse enable GEO members and participating organizations to cooperate in realizing GEOSS. The resulting system of systems is simplifying access to resources for any and all users, including decision makers across the GEO societal benefit areas. This paper explains key GEOSS architecture principles and how GEOSS clearinghouse applies international standards and interoperability arrangements.