A compilation of existing in situ mass-balance observations on Arctic glaciers. The IASC Network on Arctic Glaciology, formed out of the Working Group on Arctic Glaciology, aims to address these rapid changes in arctic ice masses by initiating scientific programs and facilitating international cooperation between glaciologists and climate modelers in order to develop the understanding of arctic land ice and its role in global climatic and environmental change.

Designed and hosted by Arctic Portal

The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) is an intergovernmental marine science organization that provides independent scientific advice on the state and sustainable use of the world’s oceans, particularly in the North Atlantic and adjacent seas. Established in 1902 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, ICES is one of the oldest international scientific organizations.

ICES brings together a global network of scientists to advance understanding of marine ecosystems, coordinate research, and deliver evidence-based guidance to governments and international bodies on fisheries, environmental management, and ocean sustainability.

Through its data, assessments, and advisory services, ICES supports informed decision-making and promotes the long-term conservation and responsible use of marine resources.

The Land Processes Distributed Active Archive Center (LP DAAC), a partnership between the USGS and NASA, provides free access to trusted Earth science data to support

research and applications in areas such as agriculture, geology, urban heat, and wildfire mitigation.

LP DAAC processes, archives, and distributes over 14 petabytes of land remote sensing data from major missions including ASTER, MODIS, VIIRS, ECOSTRESS, GEDI, EMIT, and Harmonized Landsat Sentinel-2 (HLS). Data can be accessed through Earthdata Search and other specialized tools.

In addition, LP DAAC offers resources such as Python Jupyter notebooks via GitHub and tools like AppEEARS, which enables users to extract and analyze geospatial data by point or area.

The Level-1 and Atmosphere Archive & Distribution System Distributed Active Archive Center (LAADS DAAC), based in Greenbelt, MD, archives and distributes data on clouds, water vapor, aerosols, and key instrument data from NASA, NOAA, and ESA missions. It also serves as a backup source for MODIS and VIIRS land products.

LAADS DAAC provides data from multiple satellite and airborne sources, including NASA’s Terra and Aqua MODIS, Suomi NPP and JPSS VIIRS, ESA’s Envisat MERIS, and Copernicus Sentinel-3 instruments.

As one of twelve DAACs within NASA’s EOSDIS, LAADS DAAC offers access to Earth science data through a range of tools.

NSIDC manages and distributes scientific data on snow, ice, glaciers, frozen ground, and climate interactions. The National Snow and Ice Data Center encompasses several data centers, data management programs, and data projects. Specialized data managers lead these programs and projects, and provide shared services and infrastructure to all constituents of NSIDC.

Advancing the predictive power of Earth system models through understanding of the structure and function of Arctic terrestrial ecosystems. The goal of NGEE Arctic is to support the DOE’s Biological and Environmental Research (BER) mission to advance a robust predictive understanding of Earth’s climate and environmental systems by delivering a process-rich ecosystem model, extending from bedrock to the top of the vegetative canopy and atmospheric interface, in which the evolution of Arctic ecosystems in a changing climate can be modeled at the scale of a high-resolution ESM grid cell.

The NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI) Polar and Arctic Data Portal provides access to a wide range of environmental data focused on the Arctic and polar regions. It serves as a central hub for datasets related to climate, oceanography, sea ice, weather, and ecosystems, sourced from satellite observations, in situ measurements, and historical records.

By offering free and open access to authoritative data, the portal supports research, environmental monitoring, and decision-making for scientists, policymakers, and the public, contributing to a better understanding of rapidly changing polar environments.

NASA's Oak Ridge National Laboratory Distributed Active Archive Center (ORNL DAAC) specializes in data and information relevant to terrestrial biogeochemistry, ecology, and environmental processes, which are critical to understanding the dynamics of Earth's biological, geological, and chemical components.

NASA collects and distributes Earth observation data on ocean color from satellites, aircraft, ships, in situ platforms, and models.

The Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG), based at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD, has operated the Ocean Color Web since 1996. It is responsible for processing, calibrating, and validating ocean data products such as ocean color, sea surface temperature, and salinity from multiple satellite missions.

As the Ocean Biology Distributed Active Archive Center (OB.DAAC), it also archives and distributes ocean biology data within NASA’s Earth Science Data and Information System (ESDIS), supporting the global research community.

Is a comprehensive database on Permafrost. Permafrost is defined as ground that remains continuously at or below 0°C or at least two consecutive years; some 24% of the land surface in the northern Hemisphere is classified as permafrost. In the Northern high latitudes, strong warming has been observed over the recent decades, and climate models project strong future warming. A projected decline in the extent of permafrost will have a major impact on the Earth system, affecting global climate through the mobilization of carbon and nitrogen stored in permafrost.

Designed and hosted by Arctic Portal

NASA's Physical Oceanography Distributed Active Archive Center (PO.DAAC) specializes in providing tools and services for NASA's oceanographic and hydrologic data (satellite, airborne, and in-situ) for the greater understanding of the physical processes and conditions of the global oceans and surface land waters.

Located at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, PO.DAAC manages the data stewardship of measurements which include gravity, ocean winds, sea surface temperature, ocean surface topography, sea surface salinity, surface water, and circulation.

The data support a wide range of applications including climate research, weather prediction, resource management, policy, and the stewardship of ocean data and water resources data.

The Polar Data Catalogue (PDC) is a Canadian repository that provides access to a wide range of Arctic and Antarctic research data and metadata. Developed by the Canadian Cryospheric Information Network and hosted by the University of Waterloo, it serves as a central platform for discovering, sharing, and preserving polar data across disciplines including environmental, social, health, and policy research.

The PDC offers open access to thousands of datasets, satellite imagery, and links to other polar data sources, supported by standardized metadata that enables interoperability with international data systems.

By providing tools for data discovery, visualization, and contribution, the Polar Data Catalogue supports researchers, decision-makers, and northern communities in advancing knowledge and understanding of polar regions.

The facility is developed in cooperation between the SAON secretariat and the Arctic Portal based on the available input and collaboration from the University of Colorado (Manley) and the Polar Gbserving Assets working group (POAwg).

The goal of this project is to implement a database of metadata, along with a machine interface (API) and a human interface (web frontend) for accessing these data.

Designed and hosted by Arctic Portal

SIOS is an international observing system for long-term measurements in and around the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard addressing Earth System Science questions related to Global Change

The observing system and research facilities offered by SIOS build on the extensive observation capacity and diverse world-class research infrastructure provided by many institutions already established in Svalbard. This includes a substantial capability for utilising remote sensing resources to complement ground-based observations. From this solid foundation, SIOS envisions a significant contribution to the systematic development of new methods and observational design in Svalbard. This knowledge can advance other observational networks in the Arctic and elsewhere.

SIOS is aiming at more efficient use and better integration of the observing system based on a distributed data management system, an open access program that includes logistical support, as well as training and education activities. Working groups, task forces and other SIOS components pursue these aims in direct and structured dialogue with scientists, user groups, policy-makers and other porters of societal and scientific needs.

The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) is an international initiative that connects Earth observation data and systems from around the world into a unified, accessible framework. Coordinated by the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), GEOSS integrates data from satellites, in situ observations, and models across multiple domains, including climate, ecosystems, disasters, and water resources.

By enabling seamless access to diverse datasets and services, GEOSS supports informed decision-making, scientific research, and global collaboration to address environmental challenges and promote sustainable development.

SAON facilitates partnerships and synergies among existing observing and data network. The need for a well-coordinated and sustained Arctic Observing Network that meets scientific and societal needs has been identified in numerous high profile reports (e.g. Toward an Integrated Arctic Observing Network (NRC)) and at a variety of workshops and conferences. In November 2006, at the Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting in Salekhard, Russian Federation, Ministers welcomed the International Polar Year (IPY), 2007 –2008, as a unique opportunity to stimulate cooperation and coordination of Arctic research and increase awareness of the importance of the Arctic region.

Designed and hosted by Arctic Portal

The World Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) is an international organization that collects, analyzes, and distributes standardized data on glaciers worldwide. Based at the University of Zurich, it coordinates a global network of scientists to monitor changes in glacier mass, volume, area, and length over time.

WGMS provides essential datasets and assessments on glacier change, contributing to climate monitoring, hydrological research, and understanding sea-level rise. Working under the auspices of international scientific and United Nations organizations, it plays a key role in tracking the impacts of climate change on the world’s glaciers and supporting global environmental research and decision-making.