The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System - Gulf of Mexico ...

The U.S.Integrated Ocean Observing System Worth D. Nowlin, Jr. Texas A&M University NOAA Coastal Services Center NOAA National Data Buoy Center GCOOS Stakeholders Meeting January 24, 2005

The Global Ocean ObservingSystem

The Ocean.US Enterprise

Commission on Ocean Policy• Implement an Integrated OceanObserving System• Implement ecosystem–basedmanagement• Strengthen regional approach

National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) Ten–Year Strategic Plan for the NOPP• Achieve & sustain an Integrated OceanObserving System (IOOS)• Promote lifelong ocean education• Modernize ocean infrastructure & enhancetechnology development• Foster interagency partnerships to increase& apply scientific knowledge

At the request of the U.S. Congress, the federal agenciesof the NOPP are planning and developing a U.S.Integrated Ocean Observing System focused on: • Detecting and Forecasting Oceanic Components of Climate Variability • Facilitating Safe and Efficient Marine Operations • Ensuring National Security • Managing Marine Resources • Preserving and Restoring Healthy Marine Ecosystems • Mitigating Natural Hazards • Ensuring Public Health

Dr. Jack KayeChair, Executive CommitteeThomas MaloneDirector, Ocean.US OfficeThe National Office for Integrated and Sustained Ocean Observing and Predictionhttp://www.ocean.us

The U.S. Integrated OceanObserving System

U.S. IOOSTwo Interdependent ComponentsGlobal OceanClimate ComponentGOOS/GCOSHIslLow HighResolutionNWGoACCalCoastal OceanComponentSCalGLsRegionalObservingSystemsNationalBackboneNECarribMABGoMexSE

Coastal ComponentRegional COOSs• Operated by RegionalAssociations• Involve private & publicsectors• Inform Federal Agenciesof user needs• Enhance the backbonebased on user needs• Incorporate Sub–regionalsystemsNational Backbone• Operated by FederalAgencies• EEZ & Great Lakes• Core variables requiredby regions & Federal Agencies• Networks of sentinel &reference stations• Standards/Protocols

Status of the IOOS: theDevelopment Plan

2004 IOOS Development Plan 1 st Annual IOOSDevelopment Plan• Part I – Structure and Governance Ø Vision & IOOS design principles Ø Planning Implementing Bodies & Process • Part II – Fiscal Years 2005-2006 – Integrating Existing Assets Ø Integrate existing observing subsystem assets across agencies Ø Data management & communications Ø Coordinated regional development • Part III – Improving the IOOS Through Enhancements andResearch Ø Enhance the initial IOOS Ø R&D priorities

Part IIOOS GovernanceORAPAdviseNORLCEstablish Policies & ProceduresFederal Agencies Develop & Operate theGlobal Component & National BackboneInteragency Working GroupExecutive CommitteeApprove PlansProvide ResourcesNFRARepresent &CoordinateRAsDevelop &OperateRCOOSsUSGSCUser Input &PerformanceOceanUSPlan & Coordinate

Functions of Ocean.US Plan & Coordinate Ø Develop & maintain strategic plan Ø Ensure incorporation of elements into anintegrated system Ø Recommend enhancements Ø Recommend R&D priorities Ø Promote collaboration among participating NOPPAgencies & Regional Associations Ø Report regularly to the EXCOM which • Provides policy guidance, Ensures sustained agency support, &approves implementing documents

Four Stages of IOOS Elements 1. ResearchNew Knowledge & Technologies2. Pilot ProjectsDemonstrate Feasibility(community acceptance;standards & protocols)3. Pre-Operational ProjectsProof of Concept(value added, cost-effective)4. Operational System(routine, sustained)

Part IIIOOS Global Component • Part of an intergovernmental, cooperativesystem • Designed to observe and predict global, oceaninfluencedphenomena (such as El Niños,extreme weather, or global warming) • Nearing operational, sustained status.

Global Ocean-Climate ComponentRequirements for In Situ ObservationsØ Full implementation• Argo• Water level network• Global ocean time seriesobservatoriesØ Successful completion• GODAEØ Optimize the global networkof observationsØ Enhance ocean time seriesobservatories• key biological & chemicalsensors

Tide Gauges Surface Drifting Buoys Tropical Moored Buoys Ships of Opportunity Argo Floats Reference Stations Coastal Moorings Ocean Carbon Network Dedicated Ship Time System Evaluation 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 34 343737807 671 779 810 7723772479267926200 310 544 9231 2 6 6 10 39 43124 24 340 370 370 497 497 0 1 1 23Milestones86 1050 1250 1250 1250 125079 82 85 89 10029 3645 45 451500 2300 300010 162027 29531 6407486 86 86 863000 300024 2960105 31 31730 8307 71250 1250115 11545 453000 300029 29105 10531 31830 830 7 7Operational GPS/DORISStationsNumber of buoysNumber of mooringsHigh resolution and frequentlyrepeated lines occupiedNumber of floatsNumber of flux mooringsMoorings with climate sensorsNumber of flux sites/lines,One inventory per 10 yearsDays at sea (NOAA contribution)Product evaluation andfeedback loops implementedInitial Ocean Observing System Milestones including international contributionsTotal System30 34 40 4588 94 99 10048 53772000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 System % Complete

Part IINational BackboneCore Variables• PhysicalØ Sea surface windsØ Sea surface wavesØ Sea surface currentsØ Sea levelØ Stream flowsØ Temperature, SalinityØ High Res BathymetryØ Ice distribution• MultidisciplinaryØ Optical propertiesØ Bottom character/Benthichabitats• ChemicalØ Dissolved inorganicnutrientØ ContaminantsØ Dissolved oxygen• BiologicalØ Fish species, abundanceØ Zooplankton species,abundanceØ Phytoplankton species,biomass (ocean color)Ø Pathogens

Part II: The Initial IOOSFY 05 – 06 Highest Priorities• DMAC• Establish RAs & the NFRA• Coordinated Developmentof Global & Coastal

Part II – Coastal ComponentThe Initial IOOS• Extend the global ocean component to the shoreline with higherresolution forØ improved regional weather & climate predictions,Ø more efficient and safer marine operations in coastal waters,Ø more accurate forecasts of natural hazards & their effects, &Ø improved homeland security.• Develop an integrated approach to water quality monitoring & livingresource assessments through more timely provision ofØ Surface & interior fields• nutrients & dissolved oxygen• phytoplankton biomass (Chl) & macrozooplankton abundanceØ Extent and condition of benthic habitats;Ø Abundance and distribution of living marine resources (includingprotected species); &Ø Land-sea freshwater flows & associated transports of sediments, nutrients& contaminants.

Part III – Enhancement Categories• Global Ocean – Climate Component• DMAC• Regional Coastal Ocean Observing Systems• National Backbone Operational ObservingSubsystem– Increase density of measurements– Incorporate additional sensors• Education

Part III – Enhancement CategoriesResearch & Pilot Projects• Product–Driven (end–to–end systems)Ø Surface current mapsØ Near shore bathy-topography maps• Target Specific Elements of the IOOSØ Modeling – Close gap between operational models for• marine meteorology & physical oceanography &• those that require biological & chemical dataØ Benthic habitat mappingØ In situ sensors for biological & chemical variablesØ Glider technologiesØ Improve spectral, spatial & temporal resolution of space–based remote sensing of coastal systems

Thank Youhttp://www.ocean.us