The report presents the implementation, in the framework of the ACEWATER2 project, of a regional hydro-climatology information system. The information system is aimed at sharing metadata and data relevant to the scientific undertakings of the CoEs (Centers of Excellence), including both freely available large and regional data sources, as well as databases submitted by the CoEs themselves as part of their scientific undertakings. The information system builds upon the JRC knowledge sharing platform Aquaknow (https://aquaknow.jrc.ec.europa.eu/), including: • at the system core, a relational database: its schema has been designed to store both detailed metadata and, where relevant (avoiding duplication of information otherwise accessible) data themselves. Metadata include, among others, datasets' extended description, spatial extent, temporal frequency, reference Institutions/authors, credits and limitations, web links to access original data and/or any further documentation. Data can be stored as public or private, depending upon confidentiality and sharing policies. At the lower level, datasets are organized in the file system, based on a logical structure. • user friendly facilities, supporting the end user in efficiently browsing, querying, uploading and downloading information (metadata and data). System access is limited to accredited audience, via password authentication. Dedicated groups for the three ACEWATER CoE networks (Western, Southern and Central-Eastern Africa) have been setup and scientists invited to register. Currently the system is operational, CoE databases documented and, depending upon confidentiality and authorization constrains, also uploaded. The information system is conceived to efficiently manage complex datasets. Still, as the authorized users can upload their own datasets, the control over their consistency mainly remains under the responsibility of a centralized review. No specific constrain is enforced, both in terms of data formats and/or structure. Massive and/or regular data update, as is it would be the case for data collection at monitoring networks and/or analyses at laboratory facilities, demands for the adoption of more advanced technological paradigms. Although not implemented at this stage, the solution relies upon spatial databases. Hence the report also includes a brief review of existing options and delineates a proposal on the way forward.
