How to use the ICOS Data Portal

Find and explore ICOS data in Carbon Portal

ICOS data can be searched using the Data Portal, called the ICOS Carbon Portal, or the SPARQL Endpoint, which provides more advanced query options. The Carbon Portal enables access to datasets through a filter-based interface available from the Filters menu on the left-hand side of the screen. The SPARQL endpoint can also be used to search for metadata. A summary of the main ICOS data products is also available, including links to filter the data in the Carbon Portal and more information about specific data releases.

The main Carbon Portal page has a search query options panel on the left side of the screen, with Filters and Advanced tabs, while the right side of the screen displays the data objects matching those filters using three views: the Search results view, Compact view, or Stations map.

The Filters tab allows selection of data objects by adjusting filter criteria. Fields can be completed either by choosing options from drop-down menus or by typing to display matching entries. Help icons provide additional information for each field. Multiple options can be selected within individual filter categories.

The Advanced tab enables searches for exact Persistent Identifiers (PIDs) or filenames, displays deprecated objects, and provides access to SPARQL queries corresponding to the currently visible data objects.

NOTE: Not all datasets presented in the Carbon Portal are directly available. Raw data that has not undergone quality assurance and control is only available on request for both preview and download. All relevant information is provided on the dataset landing page. Access to such data can be requested from the responsible Thematic Centre, as indicated on the landing page.
 

Understand dataset landing pages

Each data object or station is described through a dedicated landing page presenting the available metadata. In principle, all available metadata associated with the data object are included on its landing page. The landing page can be accessed by selecting the dataset from the list in the Carbon Portal. Only a subset of the metadata is shown on the human-readable web page in order to maintain clarity and readability. Additional details are encoded in machine-readable format in the form as linked data, and can be accessed through content negotiation or through the links provided next to "Metadata" beneath the station map on the right-hand side of the page. 

Feedback on the presentation of metadata is welcomed in order to further improve clarity and completeness. 
 

Select, preview and download data

Several visualisation services are integrated into the Carbon Portal to support exploration of different data products. Many datasets can be previewed graphically. Where available, an active Preview tab is displayed on the on the data object’s landing page. This enables visualisation of time series as scatter or line diagrams, geographical data as maps, or photographs as images. The visualisation services are under continuous development, with plans to expand the number of previewable datasets and variables.

Shopping cart system

The Carbon Portal service uses a shopping cart system. Selected datasets can be added to the cart and subsequently visualised or downloaded free of charge. When you are logged into a user account, the cart contents are automatically saved, allowing continued access from different devices before downloading.

Download data

Data can be downloaded from the cart following acceptance of the Data Policy and Data Licensing Agreements. Creating a user account enables permanent acceptance of the data licence, thereby simplifying future downloads.  

Programmatic download of data objects via our API requires a user account (see the ICOS Carbon Portal user account section below). Detailed instructions are available in the GitHub repository readme file, including an example of using the curl command to download a data object.
 

Cite and acknowledge ICOS data 

Data sharing is essential for making research impactful and generalisable, since data is often needed from multiple stations or over a long time period. Proper citation and acknowledgement of ICOS data support continued funding for station operation and maintenance, thereby contributing to the quality and continuity of the observations. Within the ICOS community, correct acknowledgements ensure that your papers are counted as using ICOS data. Learn how to cite and acknowledge ICOS data here.
 

Advanced tools and developer support

All code developed by Carbon Portal are made available through GitHub repositories under a GPL license. The repositories include code examples and documentation for data providers and advanced data users that want to query the repository or download data using the icoscp python library (documentation available here). Feature requests and bug reports can be submitted here. 
 

ICOS Carbon Portal user account

Creating a user account is recommended for frequent users of ICOS data and services. This can be done by registering to the Carbon Portal at the ICOS Carbon Portal Authentication Service. When logged in, data can be downloaded without repeated acceptance of the data licence.

The best way to sign in is to use your institutional credentials through eduGAIN using the University sign in tab. If you are unable to use eduGAIN or experience an issue with eduGAIN, you can use the Social/OAuth sign in tab to log in with an ORCID, ATMO ACCESS, or Facebook account. You can also use the Password sign in option after using the Create account / forgot password tab to create an account using an email and password.