Enhancing a Successful Meteorological Monitoring Network to Stimulate Agro-Meteorological and Environmental Applications

应用地理信息学研究小组（AGRG）十多年来一直在监测西南新斯科舍省（SWNS）的气象条件。 最初，我们的网络部署在整个安纳波利斯山谷地区，由从坎贝尔科学公司收购的15个气象站组成。和80个来自Hoskin Scientific Limited的温度数据记录仪。 这项初步工作是与新斯科舍省葡萄种植者协会（GGANS）合作进行的，许多数据记录仪都部署在现有的葡萄园中。 温度数据记录仪已经使用了八年，在此期间，该网络通过一个基于地图的互动网站向GGANS提供每月温度摘要，并为每个参与种植者提供定制的年度报告。 由此产生的信息被认为是在吸引新的种植者进入该地区的极有价值。 基于这些监测工作的成功，该省南海岸的社区商业发展公司（CBDC）与我们联系，他们需要类似的气象监测计划，以支持和吸引他们地区的农业活动。 2011年，我们与CBDC开始了一个为期三年的项目，该项目为AGRG提供了必要的资金，以部署和维护南海岸地理范围内的42个站点。 以前的NSERC阿尔蒂奖项允许我们在整个安纳波利斯山谷地理位置部署18个类似的站。 这60个站的组合网络，加上我们的15个坎贝尔科学站，导致我们目前的75个站的网络，跨越整个西南新斯科舍省的地理。 CBDC项目被认为是如此成功，以至于多年延期已处于授予的最后阶段。 该项目的扩展旨在延长项目的使用寿命，并通过增加风、雨和相对湿度传感器来增强42个南岸海岸站，以增加应用开发。 本提案中要求的设备将使我们能够在网络中的所有站点保持类似的传感器配置，从而继续探索新的应用并在整个研究区域激发新的商机。

The Applied Geomatics Research Group (AGRG) has been monitoring meteorological conditions in South West Nova Scotia (SWNS) for over a decade. Initially our network was deployed throughout the Annapolis Valley area and consisted of 15 weather stations acquired from Campbell Scientific Inc. and 80 temperature data loggers from Hoskin Scientific Limited. This initial work was conducted in collaboration with the Grape Growers Association of Nova Scotia (GGANS) and many of the data loggers were deployed in existing vineyards. The temperature data loggers were in place for eight years during which time the network provided GGANS with monthly temperature summaries, made available through an interactive map-based website, and customized annual reports for each participating grower. The resulting information has been recognized as extremely valuable in attracting new growers into the region. Based on the success of these monitoring efforts, we were approached by the Community Business Development Corporation (CBDC) on the South Shore of the province who was in need of a similar meteorological monitoring program to support and attract agricultural activity in their area. In 2011 we began a three-year project with the CBDC who provided the AGRG with the necessary funding to deploy and maintain 42 stations within the South Shore geography. A previous NSERC ARTI award allowed us to deployed 18 similar stations throughout the Annapolis Valley geography. This combined network of 60 stations, plus our 15 Campbell Scientific stations, resulted in our current network of 75 stations which spans the entire South West Nova Scotia geography. The CBDC project has been considered to be so successful that a multi-year extension is in the final stages of being awarded. This project extension is designed to extend the life of the project and enhance the 42 South Shore stations with additional wind, rain, and relative humidity sensors for increased application development. The equipment requested in this proposal will allow us to maintain a similar sensor configuration at all stations in our network and thereby continue to explore new applications and stimulate new business opportunities throughout our entire study area.