A web map service implementation for the visualization of multidimensional gridded environmental data

We describe ncWMS, an implementation of the Open Geospatial Consortium's Web Map Service (WMS) specification for multidimensional gridded environmental data. ncWMS can read data in a large number of common scientific data formats – notably the NetCDF format with the Climate and Forecast conventions – then efficiently generate map imagery in thousands of different coordinate reference systems. It is designed to require minimal configuration from the system administrator and, when used in conjunction with a suitable client tool, provides end users with an interactive means for visualizing data without the need to download large files or interpret complex metadata. It is also used as a “bridging” tool providing interoperability between the environmental science community and users of geographic information systems. ncWMS implements a number of extensions to the WMS standard in order to fulfil some common scientific requirements, including the ability to generate plots representing timeseries and vertical sections. We discuss these extensions and their impact upon present and future interoperability. We discuss the conceptual mapping between the WMS data model and the data models used by gridded data formats, highlighting areas in which the mapping is incomplete or ambiguous. We discuss the architecture of the system and particular technical innovations of note, including the algorithms used for fast data reading and image generation. ncWMS has been widely adopted within the environmental data community and we discuss some of the ways in which the software is integrated within data infrastructures and portals

Inoculating Legumes: Practice and Science

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) is fixed by symbiotic root-nodule bacteria (rhizobia) associated with pasture and pulse legumes and has a national value of about $3.5 billion annually. This is based on nitrogen fixation rates of about 70 kilograms per hectare per year, crop and pasture legume areas of close to 50 million ha and fertiliser N costed to the grower at$0.76/kg, which equates to $1.00/kg plant-available N in the soil after accounting for N losses. The price of carbon-based fossil fuels, used in the production of nitrogenous fertilisers, is expected to increase in the future which will push fertiliser costs higher. Added to that are the environmental costs associated with the production, distribution and application of nitrogenous fertilisers. Therefore, the historical and ongoing interest by Australian farmers in using legumes which fix nitrogen in their farming systems makes good economic and environmental sense and needs to be sustained into the future