Distributed, long-term observational networks applying state of the art technologies are of key importance to increase our understanding of processes to develop new predictive power in solid Earth systems and ecosystems, hydrology, climate change, biodiversity, marine, etc.
Environmental sciences benefit from a wide range of Research Infrastructures to address these needs. Measurements and monitoring are required from fixed and mobile platforms and range across physics, chemistry, biology and geosciences. They are required for the terrestrial, marine, freshwater, atmospheric and cryospheric environments. Sophisticated large-scale analytical and informatics facilities from physical and biological sciences are likely to be used with increasing intensity by geoscientists.

The ENVRI project, "Common Operations of Environmental Research infrastructures" (www.envri.eu) is a collaboration in ESFRI Environment Cluster, with support from ICT experts, to develop common e-science components and services for their facilities. The results will speed up the construction of these infrastructures and will allow scientists to use data and software from each facility to enable multi-disciplinary science.

The Townhall meeting will allow the Geoscience community
I. to gain information and developments from the European Research Infrastructures and the ENVRI project, and
II. to follow and contribute on the appropriation and impact of European research infrastructures.

Agenda:
1. ENVRI Introductory and Inspiring talk, introduction and results by the ENVRI coordinator Wouter Los, 10mins;
2. Example of an ESFRI Research Infrastructure (RI), 10mins;
3. Example of an Integrated Infrastructure Initiative (I3), 10mins;
4. Panel discussion, 30mins,
“Need for environmental research infrastructures - Advantages and disadvantages of systematic monitoring vs. individual measures of data”.