www.Earthzine.org is an informative scientific online journal dedicated to promoting the societal benefits of Earth Observations and the utilization of Earth information in planning and policy. Sponsored by the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers), Earthzine supports the Group on Earth Observation in establishing the Global Earth Observation System of Systems. Earthzine seeks to explore the application of scientific and technological research as well as policy and its implementation for the benefit of society.

We invite you to submit an article and become part of a growing, professionally diverse community and global readership network working to build the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

www.Earthzine.org is soliciting articles for its theme issue on Earth information systems and capacity building. We are seeking contributions addressing issues related to the design, development, maintenance, and operation of Earth information systems and observation platforms, as well as topics related to infrastructure and capacity building for such systems (PDF Call for Papers here). This may include a wide range of topics related to information systems and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

Specific topics of interest focus on, but are not limited to the following:

‰Û¢ Descriptions of specific Earth information systems as well as their application for studying key environmental issues.

‰Û¢ Methodological and technical issues related to Earth information systems development, deployment, operation, and maintenance.

‰Û¢ Common challenges and ‰ÛÏbest practices‰Û related to infrastructure and capacity development and maintenance for Earth observation purposes.

‰Û¢ Issues related to data collection and sharing for environmental applications.

‰Û¢ Success stories and ‰ÛÏlessons learned‰Û about how infrastructure, capacity, and partnerships may be developed and maintained successfully for Earth observation purposes by countries or organizations.

The theme issue is scheduled for the first quarter of 2010. We seek to publish articles from all regions of the globe.

We welcome articles about programs, projects, organizations, examples of interdisciplinary and/or cross-regional research latest discoveries, and unusual findings. We also publish opinion essays, book and art reviews. Submissions must be in English. Submit to Guest Editor John Kostelnick at jkostelnick@ilstu.edu.

Please consult the Writer’s Guidelines for further information.

Important dates: Queries to the editors may be sent at any time (jkostelnick@ilstu.edu). Submission of original articles, letters, opinions, book and art for review begins December 1, 2009.

Publication: All accepted contributions will be published on-line at www.Earthzine.org in the first quarter of 2010 and will be freely accessible to the public.

Information:

Earthzine website: https://earthzine.org

Writer’s Guidelines: https://earthzine.org/about/how-to-submit/

Volunteer and Contribute: https://earthzine.org/contribute/

GEO/GEOSS website: http://www.earthobservations.org

Editor-in-Chief

Paul E. Racette, DSc

editor@earthzine.org

Managing Editor

Maeve Hickok, MA

mhickok@earthzine.org

Guest Editor for Earth Information Systems/Capacity Building

John C. Kostelnick, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor

Illinois State University

Department of Geography-Geology

Campus Box 4400

Normal, IL 61790-4400

E-mail: jkostelnick@ilstu.edu

Earthzine is chiefly staffed by volunteers. Please join us! Check out the Contributions page at https://ieeeearthzine.wpengine.com/?page_id=5425. Volunteer and make a difference.