(Reposting this to the list as I think my previous attempt may have bounced).
Dear Chris,
The standardized region names have been part of the CF-conventions since version 1.0, so this isn't a new list that has just been created. Previously it has only ever been made available as an html document (
http://cfconventions.org/Data/cf-standard-names/docs/standardized-region-names.html) and the aim of converting it to XML was purely to provide a more machine readable form of the same list. According to the text at the head of the HTML file, the original list was indeed based on a 2002 version of the NASA GCMD keyword list for locations. I was not part of the CF community at that time, so I don't know why the decision was taken to 'borrow' the list for CF - perhaps it was just to have the document in a convenient place. We added a few new region names at the time of the CMIP5 project, but that is the only time I can remember altering the content.
Personally, I don't have a strong opinion on whether CF should continue to maintain its own list of regions. I think the key considerations would be whether another list is accessible in a convenient format, whether it contains the regions needed by CF users, and how easy/difficult it would be for the CF community to request amendments to such a list if they were needed.
I think there is a need for an XML version of the current region list (hence Martin's proposal in CF trac ticket 154). Perhaps others would like to comment on whether, going forwards, we should continue to maintain that list separately or converge on another standard.
Best wishes,
Alison
------
Alison Pamment Tel: +44 1235 778065
Centre for Environmental Data Analysis Email: alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk
STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
R25, 2.22
Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, U.K.
------
Alison Pamment Tel: +44 1235 778065
Centre for Environmental Data Analysis Email: alison.pamment at stfc.ac.uk
STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
R25, 2.22
Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0QX, U.K.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Little, Chris [mailto:chris.little at metoffice.gov.uk]
> Sent: 12 July 2017 15:57
> To: cf-metadata-owner at lists.llnl.gov; owner-cf-
> conventions at listserv.llnl.gov; Pamment, Alison (STFC,RAL,RALSP)
> Subject: RE: [CF Metadata] #154: Machine Readable Standardised Region List
> Importance: Low
>
> Alison,
>
> I know it is convenient to have one list under one community's control, but
> isn't this re-inventing the wheel?
>
> A definitive list of Oceans, Sea, Gulfs, Straits, etc is at, for example
> https://www.iho.int/mtg_docs/com_wg/S-23WG/S-
> 23WG_Misc/Draft_1986/S-23_Draft_1986_Headings.pdf There may be a
> more up to date copy somewhere - but didn't search very far.
>
> Land areas could be based on
> http://www.internetworldstats.com/list1.htm#geo which is based on the
> UN and ISO3166 standard
>
> Then the CF list could focus on those areas that are more specific.
>
> NASA GMCD DIF has also a similar list, partly based on lists in the WMO
> Manuals and those above.
>
> Cheers, Chris
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-cf-conventions at listserv.llnl.gov [mailto:owner-cf-
> > conventions at listserv.llnl.gov] On Behalf Of CF Metadata
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2017 1:28 PM
> > To: owner-cf-conventions at listserv.llnl.gov
> > Subject: Re: [CF Metadata] #154: Machine Readable Standardised Region
> > List
> >
> > #154: Machine Readable Standardised Region List
> > -----------------------------+------------------------------
> > Reporter: martin.juckes | Owner: cf-conventions_at_?
> > Type: task | Status: new
> > Priority: medium | Milestone:
> > Component: cf-conventions | Version:
> > Resolution: | Keywords:
> > -----------------------------+------------------------------
> >
> > Comment (by apamment):
> >
> > Dear Martin and Jonathan,
> >
> > I have created a draft xml version of the standardized_region_names
> > document at https://github.com/cf-convention/cf-
> > convention.github.io/blob/master/Data/cf-standard-
> > names/docs/standardized_region_names.xml .
> >
> > The schema is even simpler than for the area_types table - essentially
> > it's just a list of entries as in the html document. There is no
> > definition text or other attributes to add to the regions. At present
> > the list of region names doesn't have a version or date stamp, unlike
> > the standard names and area types tables. It would be easy to add such
> > information if it would be useful, although the list changes very
> > infrequently so I don't know if there's really a need.
> >
> > If Martin and others are happy with the format of the document I will
> > add links to it from the CF web pages.
> >
> > Best wishes,
> > Alison
> >
> > --
> > Ticket URL: <https://cf-trac.llnl.gov/trac/ticket/154#comment:4>
> > CF Metadata <http://cf-convention.github.io/> CF Metadata
Received on Wed Jul 12 2017 - 09:39:11 BST
