- Intuitive navigation: New menu format and simplified data selection with improved filters for region, temporal resolution, start and end date
- Comprehensive product information: Detailed specifications on every data product, including the parameters used, data-gathering methods and extensive map descriptions
- Enhanced visualisations: Updated graphics and map products with detailed explanations to boost comprehension of sea-ice data
Following the successful relaunch of the information portal in January 2023, the data section of the Sea Ice Portal has now been fundamentally overhauled, offering users more efficient and straightforward access to reliable information on the Arctic and Antarctic sea ice.
The information and data portal Sea Ice Portal is a knowledge platform for sea ice and has set itself the goal of intensifying the dialogue between science and society in order to meet society’s information needs on the topic of sea ice with expert knowledge, the latest information and facts, and corresponding base data. The first extensive, German-language knowledge portal with a focus on sea ice, it supplies the public with essential background information, updated daily. In addition, it offers direct access to the base data used through its data portal, which offers visually appealing, up-to-date maps and diagrams on a daily basis. These products show the sea-ice extent, ice thickness, and a range of other parameters. Data from autonomous monitoring systems like sea-ice buoys is also integrated. At the data portal, all this information is processed in an operationalised data stream from sensor to archive (“observations to archives (O2A) approach”) and made available as archived maps and datasets.
By relaunching our data portal, we have passed a further milestone in sharing the outcomes of sea-ice research. Our goal is to offer intuitive access to our data for researchers, students and interested non-experts alike, and by doing so, to promote awareness of sea ice’s importance in the global climate system.
The relaunch includes the following innovations:
1. New features and expanded content
The updated data portal offers a range of new features:
- Improved menu structure with new options for sorting the available products, and optimised display of sea-ice data with options for various formats and resolutions.
- Wiki with detailed information on the buoys and other autonomous systems used for data gathering.
- Extensive descriptions of the updated map products, high-resolution images and convenient download options.
- Access to sea-ice-specific modelling data (CMIP6 – Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6).
2. Improved structure and navigation
Thanks to the data portal’s new menu structure, users can more easily find specific products. The available data has been classified into new categories. The clearer menu structure simplifies navigation, while also offering a better overview of the products, offering users helpful orientation. Optimised personal data selection with flexible filtering options for region and timeframe makes searching fast, intuitive and precise – and helps ensure that scientific information can be used and understood by everyone.
3. Comprehensive product information and specifications
The portal now offers detailed, essential information on every map and data product, presented in concise tables. The tables include:
- Description of the base data
- Description of the maps
- Specifications: Region, temporal and spatial coverage of the data
- Source and contact information
- Terms of use / proper citation
4. Updated graphics and map products
During the overhaul, one particular focus was on updating the graphics and maps for the respective data products. These resources were adapted to even better visualise the sea-ice data. Most map products now include a high-resolution option with detailed descriptions, helping non-experts correctly interpret and use the information displayed.
5. Citation and data sources
The new menu point “Citation” offers an overview of the correct scientific citation styles for the respective datasets and information resources. In addition, users now have the convenient option of downloading the citations in various data formats for use in literature management software. Last but not least, detailed information on citation and data sources can be found on the products’ respective landing pages.
The data portal’s new, modern look and structure will help users find the information they need faster, better and more efficiently. We’re also pleased to announce that we have worked intensively to make the content barrier-free wherever possible.
The new data portal is available effective immediately at its previous address. All users are warmly invited to explore the range of new features and visualisations of sea-ice data. By rolling out these extensive improvements, the Sea Ice Portal underscores its commitment to preparing scientific data in a way that is accessible and comprehensible for a broad audience, while upholding the high standards of the research community.
This sea-ice data, which is primarily intended for the scientific community but also for other operational services and interested users, has now been extensively revised in keeping with the internationally recognised FAIR principles on the description, archiving and publication of scientific or administrative data. The goal in doing so was to optimally prepare the data for access and use by humans and machines alike. FAIR stands for
- Findable
- Accessible
- Interoperable
- Reusable