GCOS Implementation Plan - WMO

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Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (2010 Update) ECV – Ocean Colour Knowledge of ocean ecosystem change is not adequate. Satellites provide global coverage of surface ocean colour, but the linkage between surface ocean colour and ecosystem variables, including chlorophyll-a and its distribution with depth, remains limited. In addition, enhanced in situ sampling of ocean colour and ecosystem variables is technically feasible. Ocean colour radiance (OCR) is the wavelength-dependent solar energy captured by an optical sensor looking at the sea surface. These water-leaving radiances contain information on the ocean albedo and information on the optical constituents of the sea water, in particular phytoplankton pigments (e.g., chlorophyll-a). Data analysis is not easy as at satellite altitudes the relatively weak OCR signal (5-15% of incident solar radiation) propagates through the atmosphere before detection. Continuous climate quality OCR measurements have been available for more than a decade. OCR network activities and systems (have/will) include: • Current and future polar-orbiting global OCR satellite missions, particularly SeaWiFS (Sea- Viewing Wide Field-of-View Sensor), MERIS (Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer) on Envisat, MODIS-Aqua, the Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM)-2 on Oceansat-2, OLCI (Ocean and Land Colour Imager) on Sentinel 3A and 3B, SGLI (Second Generation Global Imager) on GCOM-C (Global Change Observations Mission-Carbon Cycle), VIIRS (Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite) on JPSS-C1 (and possibly on the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP)), and future NASA and CNES instruments under consideration. Other instruments such as the China Ocean Colour Temperature Scanner (COCTS) and Korea’s planned Geostationary Ocean Colour Imager (GOCI) are also of interest, though these are not collecting global data. • A sensor intercomparison, cross-calibration and validation programme, such as the former SIMBIOS (Sensor Intercomparison for Marine Biological and Interdisciplinary Ocean Studies) Project, plus data-merging activities such as the GlobColour and CoastColour Projects, and intensive field campaigns. • Interactions with resource managers such as the SAFARI (Societal Applications in Fisheries & Aquaculture using Remotely-Sensed Imagery) Project, integrated networks for complementary in situ sampling and protocol development such as ChloroGIN (The Chlorophyll Global Integrated Network), and centralized data archive and distribution centres for in situ data such as the SeaBASS (SeaWiFS Bio-Optical Archive and Storage System) System. • Various bio-optical fixed (e.g., MOBY (Marine Optical Buoy Program), BOUSSOLE (Buoy for the Acquisition of Long-term Time Series) and AERONET-OC sites) and mobile platforms for data collection (both surface and sub-surface), calibration, validation, and development of products. Cross-calibrated measurements from multiple satellites should be merged to provide a Fundamental Climate Data Record (FCDR) of top-of-the-atmosphere radiances primarily in the visible spectrum from which OCR datasets are calculated after applying an atmospheric correction scheme. To accurately calculate the effect of the atmosphere on the water-leaving radiance reaching satellite altitudes requires additional measurements in the infrared. Scientific data products related to marine ecosystems and ocean biogeochemistry are then derived from OCR for near-surface global ocean water, coastal waters and potentially rivers, lakes and estuaries The most important OCR data products currently in use are chlorophyll-a concentration (a proxy for phytoplankton biomass), coloured organic matter, particulate organic carbon, and suspended sediments. Other products are in development. OCR data products are the only measurements related to biological and biogeochemical processes in the ocean that can be routinely obtained at ocean basin and global ocean scales. These products are used to assess ocean ecosystem health and productivity and the role of the oceans in the global carbon cycle, to manage living marine resources, and to quantify the impacts of climate variability and change. Key issues or impediments to success related to the development of a coordinated and sustained colour OCR observing system are: • Continuity of climate-research quality OCR observations. • Lack of free and timely access to and sharing of calibrated OCR data, including Level-0 satellite data, 86
Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (2010 Update) • Lack of developing and sharing in situ databases, ocean colour radiances and derived products of sufficient quality to use for calibrating and validating satellite data products. • Difficulty of sustaining projects for cross-calibrating and merging OCR data across satellite sensors to support global and regional scientific data products. • Need for continued research and technology development efforts to provide new and improved OCR data streams, algorithms and products, particularly for complex Case 2 waters. To address the issues raised above, GCOS and GOOS are supporting the plans being developed through participating CEOS space agencies to implement an Ocean Colour Radiometry Virtual Constellation. The International Ocean Colour Coordinating Group (IOCCG), acting for GOOS and GCOS, will give oversight to ensure the measurements are implemented in accordance with GCMPs and the requirements outlined in the Satellite Supplement to the IP-04, as well as to promote associated research. Action O15 [IP-04 O18] Action: Implement continuity of ocean colour radiance datasets through the plan for an Ocean Colour Radiometry Virtual Constellation. Who: CEOS space agencies, in consultation with IOCCG and GEO. Time-Frame: Implement plan as accepted by CEOS agencies in 2009. Performance Indicator: Global coverage with consistent sensors operating according to the GCMPs; flow of data into agreed archives. Annual Cost Implications: 30-100M US$ (10% in non-Annex-I Parties). ECV – Sea State Observations of sea state are particularly relevant to coastal and offshore impacts on human activities, but also affect climatically important air-sea exchanges and can also provide complementary information of relevance to monitoring changes in the marine environment, e.g., in winds, storms, air-sea fluxes and extreme events. Although sea state (variables relating to the height, direction, wavelength and time period of waves) has been observed from satellites, there is at present no coordinated and sustained global observing effort for sea state. Present best estimates of sea state are computed from model reanalysis and analysis systems. Observing networks, satellites and analysis activities contributing various parameters to the knowledge of regional and global sea state include: • Numerical weather prediction (indirect) estimates. • Reference mooring network. • Satellite altimetry. • Satellite Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR). • VOS visual. Issues relative to sea state observations and analysis include: • The accuracy of NWP products is limited by the availability of validation and calibration data, and their utility is limited over the shallower coastal regions. Reliable surface wind data (observations and reanalyses) are essential. For example, the ECMWF ERA40 made use of sea state estimates within its assimilation system. • The existing sea state reference buoys are limited in terms of global distribution and location (few open ocean sites and insufficient coastal measurements), and are not collocated with other ECV reference sites. • Altimetry only provides significant wave height and wave period, and coverage is limited relative to synoptic scales of variability. SAR gives the most useful data but is rarely exchanged or available in a way that impacts estimates for climate. To address the issues raised above, it is proposed that the JCOMM Expert Team on Waves and Surges implement wave measurement systems as part of the Surface Reference Mooring Network. 87
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WORLD METEOROLOGICAL ORGANIZATION I
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FOREWORD This 2010 Update of the Im
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6. TERRESTRIAL CLIMATE OBSERVING SY
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Implementation Plan for the Global
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GCOS Implementation Plan - WMO

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