Virtual Research Environments for Environmental and Earth Sciences: Approaches and Experiences

Virtual Research Environments (VREs) are playing an increasingly important role in data centric sciences. Also, the concept is known as Science Gateways in North America where generally the functionality is portal plus workflow deployment and Virtual Laboratories in Australia where the end-user can compose a complete system from the user interface to use of e-Infrastructures by a 'pick and mix' process from the offered assets. The key aspect is to provide an environment wherein the end-user - researcher, policymaker, commercial enterprise or citizen scientist - has available with an integrating interface all the assets needed to achieve their objectives. These aspects are explored through different approaches related to ENVRI.