The National Academies Press

Currently Skimming:

3 Arctic Observations: Existing Activities and Gaps
Pages 20-61

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.

From page 20... ... AMAP measures the observatories, satellites, data centers, coordinating bodies, concentrations and assesses the effects of contaminants, and programs that could be the foundation of the Arctic climate, and ultraviolet radiation in the arctic environment. Observing Network (AON) Read the entire page →
From page 21... ... , it is critical to between the Committee's list of key variables and gaps engage all arctic nations in addressing gaps from the outset. (Table 2.1) Read the entire page →
From page 22... ... . Finally, high-resolution land examples of critical spatial, temporal, and thematic gaps in cover data are lacking in most of the Arctic, as are time series key variables. Read the entire page →
From page 23... ... Even a derived information can supplement ground-based measure basic species list for many taxa is lacking,4 and, in the marine ments for a number of key variables unless the long polar domain, biological sampling from drifting and moored platnight affects the satellite measurements. forms is just beginning and requires substantial sensor A comprehensive AON must satisfy the needs for long development before biological observations from these term measurements of many variables over differing time platforms will have broad-based use. Read the entire page →
From page 24... ... In its initial phase, the arctic observations.5 There is a gap in the synthesis and network should monitor selected key variables consisintegration of data being collected throughout the Arctic that tently across the arctic system. is partly caused by difficulties "stitching together" time series from sensors and platforms that span different time The upcoming IPY is an opportunity to "design and frames, sampling frequencies, and levels of accuracy. Read the entire page →
From page 25... ... If the reader becomes T Terrestrial acquainted with more new entities than they find missing, then the Committee has achieved its goal for this table. None ANNEX TABLE 3A.1 Examples of Currently Operating and Planned Arctic Networksa Currently Operational Networks Acronym What Is Measured/ Extent in Acronym Domainb Definition Products/Key Variables Inception Region the Arcticc More Information/URL ABEKC HD, T Arctic Borderlands Community-based 1995 Alaska This network identifies key variables. Read the entire page →
From page 26... ... 26 TOWARD AN INTEGRATED ARCTIC OBSERVING NETWORK ANNEX TABLE 3A.1 Continued Currently Operational Networks Acronym What Is Measured/ Extent in Acronym Domainb Definition Products/Key Variables Inception Region the Arcticc More Information/URL AMAP/ HD See previous Contaminants, climate, 1991 Pan-arctic See previous URL Human UV, and physical, Health chemical, and biological variables AmeriFlux T Ecosystem-level 1996 Alaska, SM http://public.ornl.gov/ameriflux/ exchanges of CO2, water, U.S. energy, and momentum National spanning diurnal, Network synoptic, seasonal, and interannual time scales ANKN MD Alaska Native Information related to Alaska http://www.ankn.uaf.edu Knowledge Network Alaska Native Knowledge systems AOOS M Alaska Ocean Oceanographic, sea ice, 2005 Arctic http://www.aoos.org Observing System and biological observing Alaska and Bering Sea ARCN T Arctic Network Climate, water quality, 1994 Alaska SM Operated by the National Park I&M Inventory and plant biodiversity, plant Service http://www1.nature.nps.gov/ Monitoring Program productivity (NDVI) Read the entire page →
From page 27... ... prediction, and improves data for impact analysis GEMS F Global Environment Maintains a global 1977 Global LG+++ http://www.gemswater.org/ Monitoring System freshwater quality index.html information system and provides this information to support global and regional environmental assessments GLOBE MD Global Learning Atmosphere, hydrology, 1995 Global GLOBE is a worldwide hands-on, and Observations to soils, and land cover/ primary and secondary school-based Benefit the phenology education and science program in Environment which students take scientifically valid measurements. http://www.globe.gov continued Read the entire page →
From page 28... ... GTN-P/ International http://www.fao.org/gtos INPO Network of Permafrost Observatories GUAN A GCOS-Upper Vertical profiles of 1992 Global LG+ This network identifies key variables. Air Network temperature, humidity, http://www.wmo.ch/web/gcos/ and wind speed and gcoshome.html direction through the troposphere IABP M International Arctic Maintains drifting buoy 1970s Arctic LG http://iabp.apl.washington.edu/ Buoy Program network measuring Ocean meteorological and oceanographic data, including sea ice ICS HD International Infectious disease 1999 Pan-arctic http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/aip/ Circumpolar research/ics.html Surveillance ITEX/ T International Tundra Climate, biodiversity, 1992 Pan-arctic MED Plot level passive warming NATEX Experiment/North and ecosystem function manipulation. Read the entire page →
From page 29... ... ARCTIC OBSERVATIONS: EXISTING ACTIVITIES AND GAPS 29 ANNEX TABLE 3A.1 Continued Currently Operational Networks Acronym What Is Measured/ Extent in Acronym Domainb Definition Products/Key Variables Inception Region the Arcticc More Information/URL Miracle SP Magnetometers- Magnetic field and 1997 Scandinavia MED http://www.ava.fmi.fi/MIRACLE Ionospheric Radars- aurora Allsky Cameras Large Experiment MLTR A, SP Mesosphere Lower Mesospheric winds 2000 Global MED http://sisko.colorado.edu/TIMED Thermosphere Radar Network NDBC/ A National Data Buoy Wind direction, speed, 1991 Global SM http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov Atmosphere Center/Atmosphere and gust, barometric pressure, air temperature, and relative humidity NDBC/ M National Data Buoy SST, significant wave 1991 Global MED http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov Marine Center/Marine height, and average and dominant wave period NOP M National Observer Biological data and 1973 North SM http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st4/nop/ Program fisheries Pacific & index.html Bering Sea Norwegian A, F, Acidification of fresh Early Norway LG+ This is a Norwegian national effort. Atmospheric T water, precipitation, 1970s Terrestrial ground ozone, and and forest observations Freshwater Monitoring NWS A National Weather Tropospheric winds and 1940s Global LG http://www.srh.noaa.gov/bmx/ Radiosonde Service Radiosonde state variables upperair/radiosnd.html Network Network NWS VOS A National Weather Weather Global LG+++ http://www.vos.noaa.gov/index.shtml Service Voluntary Observing Ship Program R-ArcticNet/ F Regional-ArcticNet River runoff and 1960s Pan-arctic LG+++ http://www.r-arcticnet.sr.unh.edu National chemistry SCANNET T Scandinavian/North Climate variability, 1987 Scandinavia MED http://www.sannet.nu European Network key human drivers of of Terrestrial Field change, indicators of bases social and environmental change, trends of biodiversity, and species performance and phenology SliCA HD Survey of Living Living conditions 2000 Pan-arctic This network identifies key variables. Read the entire page →
From page 30... ... AICEMI HD International Network Community based monitoring of environmental, Pan-arctic Proposed IPY 2007-2008 project of Arctic Indigenous social, economic variables Community-Based Environmental Monitoring and Information Stations ARN HD Arctic Residents' Integration of local/traditional knowledge and Pan-arctic Proposed IPY 2007-2008 project Network science to assess vulnerability BTF T Back to the Future Vegetation change in polar regions Pan-arctic Proposed IPY 2007-2008 project CAFF- T Conservation of Biodiversity of arctic flora and fauna Pan-arctic This network identifies key variables. CBMP Arctic Flora and http://www.caff.is/ Fauna/Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program CARMA T Circumarctic Rangifer Wild rangifer subspecies, focusing on the large Pan-arctic Proposed IPY 2007-2008 project Monitoring & migratory herds from North America and Russia http://www.rangifer.net/carma/ Assessment Network CAT-B T Circum-Arctic Terrestrial biodiversity Pan-arctic Proposed IPY 2007-2008 project Terrestrial Biodiversity Read the entire page →
From page 31... ... indicates undetermined information or not applicable. bA = atmosphere, Co = coastal, Cr = cryosphere, F = freshwater, HD = human dimensions, M = marine, SP = space physics, T = terrestrial. Read the entire page →
From page 32... ... Bonanza Creek T Forest dynamics and biogeochemistry 1987 Alaska http://www.lter.uaf.edu/ Cherski (Northeast A, Co, Geological and marine investigations along the 1989 Russia http://www.faculty.uaf.edu/fffsc/ Science Station) M coast of the Arctic Ocean, global carbon and station.html methane fluxes, seasonal cycle of atmospheric CO2, and the discharge of carbon and nitrogen into the Arctic Ocean Eureka (Arctic A Stratospheric ozone 1993 Ellesmere http://woudc.ec.gc.ca/e/eureka/ Stratospheric Ozone Island, eureka.htm Observatory) Read the entire page →
From page 33... ... CABOS/index.php North Pole Cr, M Physical variables for sea ice, surface 2000 Arctic http://psc.apl.washington.edu/ Environmental meteorological observations, ocean conditions Ocean northpole/ Observatory (NPEO) over a wide area and to the bottom of the Arctic Ocean Ny �lesund A, Cr, Atmosphere, ionosphere, cryosphere, biosphere, Svalbard Multinational research done by M, T and marine systems Norway, Germany, Japan, France, Italy, China, etc. Read the entire page →
From page 34... ... , ERS-1and 2(radar altimeter) , (sea ice and land ice) Read the entire page →
From page 35... ... The list is linked to the key variables listed in Table 2.1. It is evident that satellite data are more prevalent for physical variables than biogeochemical and human. Read the entire page →
From page 36... ... UNEP/ HD United Nations Environmental cartographic products United http://www.grida.no/ GRID- Environmental Program Nations Arendal countries (Norway) ICES M International Council for Marine ecosystems covering environment, 19 nations http://www.ices.dk/ Exploration of the Sea oceanography, and fisheries NCDC A, Cr National Climatic Data Climatic data USA http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov Center NGDC M, SP, T National Geophysical Sea floor, solid Earth, and solar USA http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/ Data Center geophysical data NILU A Norwegian Institute for Measurements from atmospheric research Norway http://www.nilu.no/ Air Research and monitoring programs NODC Co, M National Oceanographic Global oceanographic and coastal data USA http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/ Data Center NSIDC A, Cr National Snow and Ice Snow and ice data from land, sea, air, space; USA http://nsidc.org/ Data Center holdings of NSF Arctic System Science (ARCSS) Read the entire page →
From page 37... ... ARCTIC OBSERVATIONS: EXISTING ACTIVITIES AND GAPS 37 ANNEX TABLE 3A.4 Continued Acronym Acronym Domaina Definitionb Data Products Country More Information/URL NSSDC SP National Science Space Atmosphere, ionosphere, and USA http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/ Data Center magnetosphere parameters NWS A National Weather Service Radiosonde USA http://www.nws.noaa.gov/ WDC MD World Data Center System List of and links to World Data Centers by Russia, http://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/wdc/ subject (including Climate, Glaciology, USA, wdcmain.html Land Cover, Marine Environmental UK Sciences, Marine Geology and Geophysics, Oceanography, Paleoclimatology, Remotely Sensed Data, etc.) Operational Data Archives AOOS M, Co Alaska Ocean Observing Real-time and historic datasets on ocean USA http://www.aoos.org System and coastal variables AAGRUUK Co, M Arctic Archive for Bathymetry and geophysical data and maps USA http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/ Geophysical Research: for the Arctic Ocean basin HMRG/Aagruuk/index.htm Unlocking Undersea Knowledge CEDAR A, SP Coupling Energetics and Atmosphere, ionosphere, and USA http://cedarweb.hao.ucar.edu Dynamics of Atmospheric magnetosphere parameters Regions CEON F, T Circumarctic Environmental Terrestrial and freshwater observations, USA http://www.ceoninfo.org/ Observatories Network data, and maps ENVINET A, M, T European Network for Environmental data, primarily within EU http://envinet.npolar.no Arctic-Alpine atmospheric physics and chemistry and Environmental Research marine and terrestrial biology JOSS/ M Joint Office for Science Geophysical data for programs that JOSS USA http://www.joss.ucar.edu/ UCAR Support/University has supported Corporation for Atmospheric Research LTER A, F, M, T Long Term Ecological Ecological datasets USA http://www.lternet.edu/ Research Network TIMED A, SP Thermospheric, Ionospheric, Atmosphere and ionosphere parameters USA http://www.timed.jhuapl.edu Mesospheric Energetics and Dynamics UNAVCO A University NAVSTAR GPS geodetic data for the measurement of USA http://www.unavco.org/ Consortium crustal deformation Current and Planned Data Portals BAID- A, F, HD, Barrow Area Information Spatially relevent data for historical research USA http://www.baidims.org IMS M, T Database and Internet and research infrastructure on the western Mapping Server north slope of Alaska CEON- A, F, HD, The Circumarctic Distribution of network and partnered USA/ http://www.ceonims.org IMS T Environmental Observatories observation platforms north of 45 degrees Internatonal Network Internet Map Server continued Read the entire page →
From page 38... ... aA = atmosphere, Co = coastal, Cr = cryosphere, F = freshwater, HD = human dimensions, M = marine, SP = space physics, T = terrestrial. bA dash ( -- ) Read the entire page →
From page 39... ... , climate-related processes the project. involving the cryosphere, and the assessment http://clic.npolar.no of changes in the cryosphere as indicators of global climate change CLIVAR A, M Climate Variability and Climate variability and predictability on http://www.clivar.org/ Predictability seasonal, interannual, decadal, and centennial time scales and the response of the climate system to increases of radiatively active gases and aerosols COMAAR MD Consortium for Intended to provide a forum for observation Planned http://www.ans.kiruna.se/ Coordination of Observation and monitoring networks in the Arctic, to meetings/comaar/info.htm and Monitoring of the Arctic consider new observation and monitoring for Assessment and Research platforms, and to improve coordination DAMOCLES Cr, M, T Developing Arctic Modeling Sea ice cover and the regional and global Planned European marine parallel to and Observing Capabilities impacts on the environment of human for 2006 SEARCH; for Long-term activities http://www.seaice.dk/damocles/ Environmental Studies ENVINET A, M, T European Network for Coordination of research and monitoring 2000-2003 Involved 17 environmental Arctic-Alpine infrastructures to focus on atmospheric (not research infrastructures in Multidisciplinary Research physics and chemistry and the marine and currently Europe and 3 international terrestrial domains active) Read the entire page →
From page 40... ... This activity will understanding of environmental factors identify key variables. affecting human health and well-being, better http://earthobservations.org/docs/ development of energy resources, and 10-Year%20Plan% adaptation to climate variability and change 20Reference%20Document% 20(GEO%201000R) Read the entire page →
From page 41... ... means not applicable. bA = atmosphere, Co = coastal, Cr = cryosphere, F = freshwater, HD = human dimensions, M = marine, SP = space physics, T = terrestrial. Read the entire page →
From page 42... ... and effects http://asof.npolar.no/ CASES Cr, M Canadian Arctic Shelf Ice growth, decay and transport, 2001 http://www.cases.quebec Exchange Study photosynthetic production, impacts of ocean.ulaval.ca/ increased UV radiation on biological productivity, particulate matter and carbon fluxes, contaminant distribution, impacts of ice habitat reduction, and variations in ice cover F-MAP M Future of Marine Animal Census of marine life 2002 http://as01.ucis.dal.ca/fmap/ Populations GEOSS MD Global Earth Observation Will seek advances in nine societal benefit 2003 http://www.epa.gov/geoss/ System of Systems areas: disasters, health, energy, climate, water, weather, ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity GCTE T Global Change and Effects of changes in climate, atmospheric 1986 Core Project of the International Terrestrial Ecosystems composition, and land use on terrestrial Geosphere-Biosphere ecosystems, including agriculture, forestry, Programme (IGBP) ; soils, and biodiversity, and how these effects http://www.gcte.org/ lead to feedbacks to the atmosphere and the physical climate system H-MAP M History of Marine Animal Census of marine life 2004 http://www.hmapcoml.org/ Populations iAOOS A, Cr, M integrated Arctic Ocean Will predict the loss of perennial sea ice and Planned for IPY proposed programs can Observing System the associated effects and controlling forces 2007-2008 be explored at http://www.ipy.org/development/ eoi/ IGBP M International Geosphere Develops international frameworks for 1986 http://www.igbp.kva.se Biosphere Programme collaborative research, forms research networks, promotes standardized methodologies, guides construction of global databases, undertakes model intercomparisons and comparisons with data, and facilitates patterns of resource allocation IPY MD International Polar Year Large-scale environmental change Planned for Accepts Expressions of Intent assessments, observational network design, 2007-2008 (EoI) Read the entire page →
From page 43... ... , ice thickness, ice motion, 1991 Metadata available at NSIDC; Climate Assessment and mass balance http://cires.colorado.edu/science/ pro/parca/ SBI M Western Arctic Shelf-Basin Physical and biological shelf and slope 1999 http://sbi.utk.edu/ Interactions Project processes that influence the structure and functioning of the Arctic Ocean SHEBA A, Cr, M Surface Heat Budget of the Surface heat budget of the Arctic Ocean 1995-2002 http://sheba.apl.washington.edu/ Arctic Ocean (completed) SOOP M Ship of Opportunity Fulfills upper ocean data requirements 1999 http://www.ifremer.fr/ird/soopip/ Programme which have been established by GOOS and GCOS (e.g., TSG, XCTD, CTD, ADCP, pCO2, phytoplankton concentration) Read the entire page →
From page 44... ... Time Scale of the Seasonal to interannual and decadal variability. phenomenon the network means to observe Accessibility of data GCOS Implementation Plan states: "International standards and procedures for the storage and exchange of meta-data need to be developed and implemented for many climate observing system components, including those of the operational satellite community." GCOS Implementation Plan calls for the establishment of International Data Centers because "The flow of data to the user community and to International Data Centers is not adequate for many essential climate variables." Data Management & Global Observing Systems Information Center (GOSIC) Read the entire page →
From page 45... ... The OOPC classifies these as surface variables (sea surface temperature, surface salinity, sea level, sea state, sea ice, current, ocean color for biological activity, and CO2 partial pressure) and subsurface variables (temperature, salinity, current, nutrients, carbon, ocean tracers, and phytoplankton) Read the entire page →
From page 46... ... Satellite products are global at potentially 1-10 km resolution, while in-situ measurements are much more widely spaced, especially in areas of permafrost, ice sheets, and glaciers. Variables "Essential Climate Variables" listed in the GCOS Implementation Plan include: river discharge, ground water, ground water extraction rates and usage, lake levels, snow extent and duration, snow depth, glacier/ice cap inventory and mass balance, glacier length, ice sheet mass balance and extent, permafrost extent, soil temperature profiles and active layer thickness, albedo, land cover, above-ground biomass, photosyntheticly active radiation (PAR) Read the entire page →
From page 47... ... Comments Participant in IGOS: Integrated Global Observing Strategy. ANNEX TABLE 3B.4 SEARCH DMO Network Name Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) Read the entire page →
From page 48... ... , pan-Arctic change. Customers Science community and society. Read the entire page →
From page 49... ... There is evidence that glacier mass balance is undergoing significant decadal change, and station, such as Summit will need to be included in the DTO observation set. ANNEX TABLE 3B.7 SEARCH LAO Network Name SEARCH Large-scale Atmospheric Observatories (LAO) Read the entire page →
From page 50... ... , pan-arctic change. Customers Science community and society. Read the entire page →
From page 51... ... Realm Marine, sea ice, atmospheric, ecological, terrestrial, human dimensions, and most importantly the interconnections of the coastal marine system. Read the entire page →
From page 52... ... The ship cruises aboard the sources of similar data Amundsen collect similar types of data including standardized physical variables spanning a wide range of ocean-sea iceoutside network atmosphere process relationships. Traditional knowledge data are also being collected as are social, economic, and health survey information; these variables are more diverse in form and interoperability. Read the entire page →
From page 53... ... ARCTIC OBSERVATIONS: EXISTING ACTIVITIES AND GAPS 53 Foci GEOSS is a planned observational system of systems that is to be implemented over a 10-year period by developed and developing nations. The focus of GEOSS is to unify data collection networks on a global basis to develop a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained Earth observation network that will produce and better manage information about the environment. Read the entire page →
From page 54... ... traditional knowledge. Although most observations are recent (i.e., within the last 30 years) Read the entire page →
From page 55... ... Coverage from some instruments in the polar regions is limited however, such as observations of carbon monoxide and methane. Furthermore, accuracy of some of the derived data products, such as sea surface temperature measurements, which are complicated by the presence of sea ice, or surface albedo, remain inadequate for many climate studies. Read the entire page →
From page 56... ... No information is collected below the surface such as in the oceans, including temperature under sea ice. Accuracy of vegetation indices such as NDVI, LAI, and FPAR degrade when snow covers the vegetation. Read the entire page →
From page 57... ... Temperature is a key variable that is monitored in its own Proxy temperature records can be obtained from several right and also as a driving variable of processes that are the sources. These records are usually used to provide descripfocal points of various networks and platforms. Read the entire page →
From page 58... ... Recently, remote sensing has provided domains are sea ice, lake and river ice, glaciers and ice caps, a plethora of relevant data, such as ice extent, velocity, and and terrestrial and marine permafrost.7 elevation. International coordinating efforts exist or are Sea ice. Read the entire page →
From page 59... ... 1990) Web site CARDS;c that have part of long records WMO's and are good 800 representatives radiosonde for radiosonde stations measurements IABP International Arctic Ocean; 1979 - 12 minutes Thermometers Surface air Available iabp.apl.washington. Read the entire page →
From page 60... ... 60 TOWARD AN INTEGRATED ARCTIC OBSERVING NETWORK ANNEX TABLE 3C.1 Continued Temporal Coverage Network/ Acronym Geographical Sensor Sensor Data Platform Definitiona Coverage Period Frequency Type Location Availability Web Site ITEX The Pan-arctic; Various Hourly- Automatic 2 m above Summaries www.itex-science.net (Network) International 28 platforms (starting daily station, standard surface in Tundra 1991 and manual station, and down published Experiment forward) Read the entire page →
From page 61... ... bMass balance of Arctic Glaciers and Ice sheets in relation to Climate and Sea level changes (MAGICS) Read the entire page →

From page 20...

... AMAP measures the observatories, satellites, data centers, coordinating bodies, concentrations and assesses the effects of contaminants, and programs that could be the foundation of the Arctic climate, and ultraviolet radiation in the arctic environment. Observing Network (AON)

3 Arctic Observations: Existing Activities and Gaps Pages 20-61

3 Arctic Observations: Existing Activities and Gaps
Pages 20-61