AgriGrid: Application of e-Science to Agri-environmental Research.

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This working group will facilitate the incorporation of e-Science technologies into agri-environmental research in line with the mission of NIEeS.

The focus of this working group is to:

  1. Disseminate existing knowledge and provide demonstrations of grid technology currently used in agri-environmental research.
  2. Provide a basis upon which collaborations between institutions may be facilitated to further the use of e-Science in agri-environmental research
  3. Create a forum where e-Science applications in this field of applied research will be actively discussed, developed and utilised.
  4. Actively explore ideas that may lead to improved access to data and models for scientists in this field, facilitated by the use of e-Science technology.

The core aim of the working group is to address both applied and academic concerns with access to agri-environmental data, and glean both academic and applied experiences of Grid computing. This will identify where potential collaboration may be possible and knowledge may be better transferred between universities and governmental institutions.

For example, the application of e-Science and grid technology in agri-environmental research areas could cover:

  • Landscape
  • Animal/plant pests and pathogens (diseases)
  • Modelling
  • Information and data sharing
  • Dispersal of pests and invasive species (as discussed at the NIEeS workshop, 2004)
  • Dispersal of environmental pollutants
  • Climate change

The working group will be ‘demand led’, and a key function of an initial workshop will be to gather information, facilitate discussion and develop proposals and collaborations for the application of grid technology and e-Science to agri-environmental research.

Initial workshop, held 20th-21st November 2007:

Day 1

  • Introduction to the workshop
  • Introduction of working group members
  • Presentations on eScience/eScience projects by AgriGrid group members (to include presentations by NIEeS, Felix Richie (ONS), Colin McClean (York Uni), James Doughty (Diass/NERC data grid), Edoardo Pignotti (Aberdeen Uni) and Hazel Parry (CSL)
  • Workshop dinner

Day 2

  • Discussions/focus groups on key topics. Experimentation with grid computing facility at CSL or other key ideas brought up on day 1.
  • General discussion on topics and ideas for research proposals.
  • Final discussions and arrangement of further meetings/proposals.

Forthcoming workshops:

Two smaller workshops are being planned for April 2008 to focus on two key areas identified as important for potential grid-based research projects: data management and modelling (invitation only).

Further information

The coordinator for this working group is

The home page for the working group is on SciSpace.