Model data and PANGAEA

Rationale

The focus and particular expertise of the editorial processing of submitted data to PANGAEA clearly lies in the area of (real-world) measurement data. PANGAEA does not have the editorial expertise and other means to provide appropriate contextual descriptions for many kinds of model and simulation data, and hence, to publish data according to our standards and the FAIR principles. In fact we cannot provide any added value for these types of data submissions in comparison to un-curated general-purpose repositories like ZENODO, or even less in comparison to specialised services such as the World Data Center for Climate (WDCC) run by the German Climate Computing Center (DKRZ) in Hamburg.

Owing to our editorial specialisation, deviating data model and the constantly high rates of submissions to PANGAEA, we have decided not to accept model and simulation data anymore. Instead, we have chosen to concentrate on data types that can fully leverage our editorial processing capabilities.

We are aware that the boundary between real-world and modelled data is not always easy to define (think of the necessary interpolations in age models or the indirect, derived variables such as salinity acquired with CTD instruments for example - both of which we continue to embrace). But we are trying our best to draw a demarcation line that is as clear, tenable, consistent as possible and comprehensible to our authors.

These definitions and demarcations presented on this page are, however, not cast in stone or finalized, but are constantly being questioned and re-sharpened. Rather, they represent our current best approximation for the moment.

Criteria of which model/simulation data will be accepted by PANGAEA, or not any more

We will not accept:

• Data outputs of models that entirely rely on algorithms and (process) generalizations or simplifications, i.e. what we would consider simulations, and that do not have a concrete (and clearly specifiable) spatial reference to field observational data
• Data outputs that are driven by other simulations of processes
• Large over-regional earth system (ESM) or climate modelling endeavours with Global climate models or General circulation models (GCMs), and ESMs with intermediate complexity (EMICs) because they seek to simulate all relevant aspects of the Earth system including biological and chemical processes that feedback into the physics of climate. Please consider submitting such data to the WDCC.

We might accept:

• Simulation, inter- or extrapolation of regional or even local natural phenomena, as they might be partially consisting of, tuned or derived by, or otherwise incorporating real-world observations. Relevant for the suitability for publication with PANGAEA is the clear indication that there were geospatially referenceable real-world observations involved in the generation of the submitted data (such as age models, paleooceanographic reconstructions based on geological and paleontological sampling, CTD salinity etc.). Ideally, these observations are submitted together with the modelled data output and a reference to the code/software used to generate the data. Alternatively, a clear reference to related observational data should be provided, e.g. a reference to a published and openly available dataset.

• modelled, spatially gridded data from a certain region of the seafloor, for example, we would require the (reference to) ideally immediately adjacent original (i.e. observational) data in order to comply with our requirements.

Please note: In any case, the close relation to real-world observation data must be apparent and the principal question of what the values submitted are based on be conclusive from the context descriptions in the metadata of a submitted dataset, i.e. either from the abstract or the method descriptions. If the metadata fails to make this relation clear, the submission will very likely not be accepted for publication.

Don’t see your model data type reflected in our definitions?

If you are, however, about to submit something in the grey zone of these given definitions and are convinced that it fits PANGAEA (or should do so), please submit it anyway. Science is dynamic, and so are developments and applications of new methodologies in science. We are constantly reviewing our focus, guidelines and requirements, and with those also our definitions and demarcation lines concerning modelled data. So they remain a work in progress. Note however that we may ultimately decide against accepting your submission for publication in PANGAEA. In any case, we will try to make and communicate our decision quickly and transparently.