Framework - Introducing IMOS

Framework for Ocean Observing
Julie Hall
NIWA
On behalf of The Task Team for an
Integrated Framework
for Sustained Ocean Observing
1

Sponsorship
• IOC Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
• GEO Group on Earth Observations
• CEOS Committee on Earth Observation Satellites
• POGO Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans
• SCOR Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research
• SCAR Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research
• GCOS Global Climate Observing System
• GOOS Global Ocean Observing System
• JCOMM Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine
Meteorology
• PICES North Pacific Marine Science Organization
• ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
• CoML Census of Marine Life
• IGBP International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme
• WCRP World Climate Research Programme
2

Task Team on an Integrated Framework for
Sustained Ocean Observing
Recommend a framework for moving global sustained ocean
observations forward in the next decade; integrating feasible
new biogeochemical, ecosystem, and physical observations
while sustaining present observations; considering how best to
take advantage of existing structures
3

A Simple System
Input
(Requirements)
Output
(Data &
Products)
Process
(Observations)

A Simple System
Input
(Requirements)
Output
(Data &
Products)
Process
(Observations)

Structure of the Framework
Issues
Requirement
What to Measure
Essential Ocean Climate Variables
Issues Impact
Data Products
Data Assembly
Argo
IMOS
SOOP
VOS
SOOS
Satellite
Constellation
Satellite
…
…
…
…
…
Observations
…
…
…
…

Framework: Societal Driver 2010
Weather & Climate
•UNFCCC/IPCC
•WCRP
• GOOS-SSC
• JCOMM
• OOPC
• IOCCP
• IODE

Framework: Societal Drivers Next Decade
Regional
•Regional Seas
•CCAMLR
Fisheries
•FAO
•RFMOs
Ecosystem
services/
Biology
•CBD
•CSD
•WSSD
Assessments
•Global Marine (UN)
•TWAP (GEF)
•Regional
Real-time services
•Emergency support
•Ocean forecasting
Weather & Climate
•UNFCCC/IPCC
•WCRP
•Climate services
Requirements
Expanded EOVs
Data Products
Expanded observing
systems and
networks

Readiness Levels

Readiness Levels
Sea Surface Temperature

Readiness Levels
Ocean Acidification C Suite

Readiness Levels
Zooplankton

Key Concepts of the Framework
• Articulates ‘best practices of a systems approach’ for
building an enlarged and interoperable system
• Establishes “Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs)” as basis for
building new elements of the system.
• Argues that an “Integrated Observing System” will be a
derivative of an EOV-based approach driven by requirements.
• Proposes an approach to introducing new components of the
system through a number of “Readiness Levels”

Implementing the Framework:
Aligning Organizations
• The team considered several approaches for governing the
Framework
– Characterized by Simplicity
– Based on Functional Needs
– Bring Stakeholders Together
– Nominal Operating Costs
• Requires ongoing engagement of international sponsors and
other bodies
• Recommends establishment of a Framework Steering
Committee

Governance Structure
Steering Committee
( Sponsors, Observing Panel Chairs, Observing System
leaders)
Observing System Panels
(e.g., Physics, Biology, Biogeochemistry)
Technical Advisory Groups
(e.g., Observing technologies, data, and data products)

www.ococeanobs09.net/wg

The
Southern Ocean
Observing System
Louise Newman
SOOS International Project Office
On behalf of many SOOS colleagues
April 2011

The SOOS
Grew from years of input and discussion by international scientific
community
Community developed a very ambitious SOOS Initial Science and
Implementation Strategy
The SOOS International Project Office opened in August 2011:
Hosted by the Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (University
of Tasmania), with additional support from the Australian Antarctic
Division
The SOOS is a joint SCAR and SCOR initiative

SOOS Mission
•To establish a multidisciplinary system to deliver the sustained
observations of the Southern Ocean that are needed to address
key challenges of scientific and societal relevance, including
climate change, sea-level rise and the impacts of global change
on marine ecosystems.

Objectives
1) Development of optimal sampling plans
for essential SO variables
2) Advocating and guiding the development
of new observation technologies
3) Streamlining of current efforts and
leveraging of resources
4) Effective integration and coordination of
national and international projects and
programs, across traditional disciplinary
boundaries and between nations
5) Facilitation and development of a data
system that provides seamless access to
a wide range of data products for the SO
AAD Photo Library

Science Themes
• Key science challenges to be addressed by
the SOOS:
1) Role of Southern Ocean in global freshwater
balance
2) Stability of Southern Ocean overturning
3) Stability of Antarctic ice sheet and future
contribution to sea-level rise
4) Future of Southern Ocean carbon uptake
5) Future of Antarctic sea ice
6) Impacts of global change on Antarctic
ecosystems
AAD Photo Library

Progress so far…
AAD Photo Library

Progress so far…
- SOOS Science Plan and Implementation Strategy – currently being
published, available for download from SCAR and SCOR website
(within next few weeks)
- SOOS Website: www.soos.aq up and running by end of
January
- Scientific Steering Committee: Selected from international
call for nominations

Scientific Steering Committee
Scientific Members
**
Ex-officio Members

Progress so far…
- SOOS Science Plan and Implementation Strategy – currently being
published, available for download from SCAR and SCOR website
- SOOS Website: www.soos.aq up and running by end of
January
- Scientific Steering Committee: Selected from international
call for nominations
- 1 st Scientific Steering Committee meeting: 18-19 February
2012, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Key objective of meeting is to move on from
the implementation strategy towards developing a detailed
implementation plan

International
Project Office:
Contact
• Louise Newman (Executive
Officer)
• Louise.Newman@utas.edu.au
The Australian
Antarctic Division