GCOS Implementation Plan - WMO

Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC
(2010 Update)
ECV – Phytoplankton
Climate variability significantly impacts, and will continue to impact, plankton in the ocean, both the
microflora (e.g., phytoplankton) and the microfauna (e.g., zooplankton), over both short (seasonal to
interannual) and long-term (decadal) time scales. Changes in temperature, salinity, freshwater
discharge and loadings of sediments and nutrients, acidification, light, wind forcing, and currents
impact the abundance, distribution, phenology, diversity, and productivity of these organisms. They
are at the basis of the marine food web and not fished by humans, therefore the impact of climate on
plankton are significant and will have impacts on the rest of the marine ecosystem including on living
marine resources used by humans. This has both ecological as well as socio-economic implications.
Sustained, coordinated efforts are necessary to assess and monitor these changes over time.
Contributing networks and satellite observations include continuous Plankton Recorder Tows, Ocean
Colour Radiances observed by satellites, and OceanSITES reference moorings.
Issues to address relative to assessing and monitoring plankton include the development of standards
for species specification and optical characteristics. To address this, the following Actions are
proposed:
Action O21
Action: Establish plan for, and implement, global Continuous Plankton Recorder surveys.
Who: Parties’ national research agencies, working with SCOR and GOOS/OOPC.
Time-Frame: Internationally-agreed plans published by end 2010; implementation build-up
through 2014.
Performance Indicators: Publication of internationally-agreed plans; establishment of
agreements/frameworks for coordination of sustained global Continuous Plankton Recorder
surveys; implementation according to plan.
Annual Cost Implications: 10-30M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties).
Action O22
Action: Develop technology for underway plankton survey capabilities.
Who: Parties’ national research agencies, working with SCOR and GOOS/OOPC.
Time-Frame: Continuous.
Performance Indicators: Successful pilot deployment of new technologies.
Annual Cost Implications: 1-10M US$ (Mainly by Annex-I Parties).
Monitoring of Marine Biodiversity and Habitat Properties
Marine habitats (e.g., coral reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, intertidal zones, kelp forests, sea ice)
are extremely sensitive to the impacts of climate variability and change. In particular, climate-related
changes in sea level, temperature, salinity, precipitation, freshwater inputs, light, ocean acidification,
wind forcing, currents, and waves can all lead to significant habitat alterations and loss of biodiversity,
with a related loss in ecosystem services, especially in combination with local anthropogenic
disturbances and forcing (e.g., changes in land cover and land use, eutrophication, pollution). Coral
reefs especially are at significant risk, facing more frequent and severe bleaching events and disease
outbreaks associated with warmer oceans, as well as rising ocean acidification, sea level, and severe
storm impacts.
Contributing networks and satellite observations include:
• The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN).
• The sea grass net global coastal monitoring network.
• High spatial resolution optical satellite sensors (Landsat etc.) and
• Low-resolution environmental satellite monitoring (SST etc.)
Issues and needs relative to observation of coral reef and other marine habitats include:
• In situ networks do not provide adequate coverage or sampling relative to the required space and
time scales.
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