WCS

WCS is an acronym that can refer to several distinct concepts in geospatial science and conservation. World Coordinate System (WCS) is a foundational framework in geographic information systems for expressing locations on the Earth. It ties coordinates to real-world positions through a coordinate reference system and a map projection, enabling consistent use and transformation of spatial data across different software and datasets. WCS complements other coordinate schemes such as geographic (lat/long) coordinates and supports interoperability by defining how data are stored, projected, and transformed.

Web Coverage Service (WCS) is an Open Geospatial Consortium standard for serving geospatial raster data over the internet. It provides access to the underlying data rather than just rendered maps, allowing clients to sub-set, reformat, or re-project coverages as needed. Core operations include GetCapabilities, DescribeCoverage, and GetCoverage, and results can be delivered in formats such as GeoTIFF or NetCDF. WCS is commonly used for satellite imagery, climate data, and other gridded datasets that require analytical processing.

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is a global non-governmental organization focused on wildlife conservation and the protection of natural habitats. Founded in 1895 as the New York Zoological Society, it adopted its current name in 1993. WCS conducts field conservation programs around the world, funds scientific research, and engages in policy advocacy and education. The organization operates facilities in New York City and collaborates with partners to address biodiversity loss, wildlife trafficking, and ecosystem restoration.