GCOS Implementation Plan - WMO

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.
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