IASC-SCAR-IPA Workshop on the Global Terrestrial Network on Permafrost (GTN-P) user requirements definition
November 10-11, 2011
Potsdam, Germany
Rationale and Objectives
The International Permafrost Association (IPA), in cooperation with the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) organizes a workshop to encourage, facilitate and promote the first step in the realization of the GTN-P Strategy and Implementation Plan submitted to GCOS and GTOS focusing on
- the definition of user requirements definition for an observing network on permafrost based on a broader stakeholder involvement.
- the standardization of permafrost measurement methods at the international level
The GTN-P is the observing network for permafrost sponsored by GCOS and GTOS and managed by the IPA. It monitors the two Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) permafrost temperature and active layer thickness through a series of sites (over 860 boreholes globally) located in all permafrost regions. GTN-P has gained considerable visibility in the science community in providing the baseline against which models are validated globally and incorporated in climate assessments.
The workshop will let representatives of specific communities (field scientists, modelers and remote sensing specialists) elaborate a set of requirements and get these communities to agree on a consolidated set of standards and products to be provided by GTN-P, specifically focusing on permafrost temperature (TSP) and active layer depth measurements (CALM). The workshop will also address issues spanning the whole spectrum of science communities involved in the workshop: Data archival, data storage, data dissemination and visualization, search tools, online vs. offline data delivery, confidentiality, compatibility with existing ISO and PIC standards, etc.
The results of this stakeholder workshop will be summarized in a GTN-P document that its partners will use to build and professionalize the network and its technical framework. This document will be submitted to the GTN-P sponsors and other relevant organizations for feedback and validation, before being put into motion by the GTN-P Executive Committee.
Registration
Registration to the GTN-P workshop is by invitation only, as attendance is limited at the venue. If you are interested in attending the workshop and have not received an invitation, please contact the secretariat of the IPA at contact@ipa-permafrost.org.
Travel support
The workshop organizers have applied for funding for travel support but will not be in a position to fully fund attendance to the workshop, and would greatly appreciate if the attendee could support his/her trip by his/her own means. Do inform us if you face difficulties in securing funding to attend the workshop.
Practical details
The workshop will start on the 10th of November in the morning and end on the 11th in the late afternoon. A dinner with all workshop participants is planned for the 9th in the evening. Please plan your travel accordingly.
Potsdam can be easily reached by public transport from the Berlin airports (Tegel or Schönefeld). Buses and trains provide a quick and comfortable connection.
Travelling from Berlin-Tegel Airport to Potsdam
If you arrive at Berlin-Tegel airport, the quickest way to get to Potsdam is by bus. The bus stop is in front of the main entrance of the airport. Buses 109 or X9 will take you directly to Zoologischer Garten railway station in the centre of Berlin. At Zoologischer Garten railway station there are two options:
1. Take the S-Bahn S7 to Potsdam (it is a direct city train, leaving every 10 minutes). The journey takes 35 minutes.
2. Take the Regionalexpress RE1 train to Magdeburg (or Brandenburg) via Potsdam (this is a regular train leaving every 30 min). The travel time is 20 min.
The entire journey takes between 60-90 min.
Tickets: Buy a single ticket for zones Berlin ABC or a Tageskarte (day ticket) for zones Berlin ABC should you wish to spend some time in Berlin. Both tickets are valid in Berlin and Potsdam. You can buy a ticket from a bus driver or from a ticket machine on the platform.
Travelling from Berlin-Schönefeld Airport to Potsdam
There is a direct regular train (Regionalbahn) connecting the Berlin-Schoenefeld airport with Potsdam. Potsdam is the last station on this train and the train leaves every hour. The journey takes 60 min. Tickets can be purchased on the platform from a ticket machine.
Workshop hotel:
A number of rooms have been booked at attractive rates (single room 70 Euro, double room 85 Euro incl. breakfast) in the Mercure Hotel, which is close by the workshop venue (about 15 minutes walking distance). If you would like to make a reservation, please contact the hotel directly at the following address and use the keyword ‘AWI’: Mercure Hotel Potsdam City, http://www.mercure.com/de/hotel-1582-mercure-hotel-potsdam-city/index.shtml, phone: +49 331 2722.
Low cost accommodations for students and young scientists are available in the following hostels:
- Youth Hostel Potsdam (website only in German): Schulstrasse 9, 14482 Potsdam-Babelsberg, http://www.jh-potsdam.de/unser-team-p.html, phone: +49 331 58130, prices: 15 Euro per night incl. breakfast (shared rooms), there is a need to purchase an International Guest Card as it is for members only.
- Youth Guest House “Siebenschläfer” (website only in German): Lotte Pulewka Strasse 43, 14473 Potsdam, (http://www.gruppenhaus.de/Siebenschlaefer), phone: +49 331 741125, prices: from 12 Euro per night incl. breakfast (shared rooms).
- Quartier Hostel: Ribbeckstrasse 41, 14469 Potsdam, http://www.potsdam-hostel.com/pages/en/potsdam-hostel.php, phone +49 331 2739939, prices from 19 Euro per night, breakfast not included (shared rooms).
For more information contact the IPA Secretariat: contact@ipa-permafrost.org