National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) EARTH OBSERVATIONS A NOAA Perspective EARTH...
-
Upload
ursula-watkins -
Category
Documents
-
view
219 -
download
3
Transcript of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) EARTH OBSERVATIONS A NOAA Perspective EARTH...
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
EARTH OBSERVATIONSA NOAA PerspectiveEARTH OBSERVATIONSA NOAA Perspective
Presenters
Mary E. KiczaAssistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services
Zdenka S. WillisDirector, Integrated Ocean Observing System, National Ocean Service
Kevin J. Schrab, PhDChief, Observing Services Division, National Weather Service
Stephen K. Brown, PhDChief, Assessment and Monitoring Division, National Marine Fisheries Service
March 16, 2009
NOAA’s Vision and Mission
NOAA’s VisionAn informed society that uses a comprehensive understanding of the role of the oceans, coasts, and atmosphere in the global ecosystem to make the best social and economic decisions
NOAA’s Mission To understand and predict changes in the Earth’s environment
and conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet the Nation’s economic, social, and environmental needs
2National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
3
NOAA Services are Responsive to Societal Needs
Monitoring and responding to climate change and its impacts
Monitoring and responding to climate change and its impacts
Reducing the economic and societal impacts of coastal hazards, habitat loss, and coastal pollution
Reducing the economic and societal impacts of coastal hazards, habitat loss, and coastal pollution
Saving lives and property from damaging weather and water events
Saving lives and property from damaging weather and water events
Climate Coasts
Oceans and Marine Life
High Impact Weather and Water Transportation
Sustaining the Nation’s fisheries and ocean ecosystems
Sustaining the Nation’s fisheries and ocean ecosystems
Supporting a safe, efficient and robust transportation system
Supporting a safe, efficient and robust transportation system
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
4
NOAA–0bserving from the Ocean Floor to the Sun’s Surface
NOAA–0bserving from the Ocean Floor to the Sun’s Surface
5National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Value of Earth Observations
Better Information for Better Decision Making
Prediction– Worldwide agricultural benefits of better El Niño forecasts
are conservatively estimated at $450-$550million/year– U.S. average annual hurricane damage is $5.1 billion and 20 deaths
Prevention– More than 90% of natural disaster-related deaths occur in
developing countries– Since 1900, over 200 tsunami events have caused 500 deaths
and $186 million in damages in the U.S. and its territories
Preparedness– More than 50% of the world’s population lives within 60 km of
the shoreline; this could rise to 75% by the year 2020
Protect and Manage Resources– Approximately 1,890 species are listed under the Endangered Species Act– 125 Species are managed under the Marine Mammal Protection Act
6National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA’s Earth Observing Systems
Land-Based
Air-Based
Ocean-Based
Space-Based
7National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA’s Current Earth Observing Systems
Ships—18 NOAA owned and operated vessels
Aircraft—14 NOAA owned and operated planes
Buoys—more than 19 separate systems worldwide (exceeding 3400 buoys)
Radars—121 weather radars
Surface Weather and Climate Systems– NWS Automated Surface Observing System (312)– Surface-based Climate Networks (>1000)
– U.S. Climate Reference Network (114)– U.S. Historical Climate Network (1221)
Upper Air Systems – Weather balloons (92 sites) and 35 wind profilers – Dropped sensors from aircraft (tracking hurricanes and other marine storms)
Research Systems– Autonomous Underwater Vehicles– Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Satellites—16 meteorological satellites in 3 separate constellations
– Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites - Last POES (NOAA-19) was launched February 6, 2009
– Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites - GOES-O scheduled to be launched in April 2009– Defense Meteorological Satellite Program– Jason 2 satellite altimetry
NOAA’s diverse workforce provides crucial value-added interpretation and analysis of data collected from these observing systems
8National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Mandates and Policy Drivers
Directive Authorities Weather Service Organic Act Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act Marine Mammal Protection Act Endangered Species Act Coastal Zone Management Act National Marine Sanctuaries Act Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Tsunami Warning and Education Act +…..
External Recommendations U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy Ocean Action Plan Joint Ocean Commission Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) +……
9
Unifying Principle: The Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)
Group on Earth Observations (GEO)Membership consists of 76 countries and the European Commission, over 56 participating organizations and observersEarth Observation Ministerial Summit held every 3 years, GEO Plenary every year, and GEO Executive Committee 3 times per yearGEO is governed by an Executive Committee, Plenary, Secretariat, and 4 CommitteesNext GEO Plenary is planned for Washington, D.C., in November 2009
U.S. Group on Earth Observations (USGEO)Currently 25 participating U.S. Government Department and Agency members including 2 White House offices Standing subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council Committee on Environment and Natural Resources 5 functional groups; full committee meets monthly
Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)Improves coordination of strategies and observation systemsLinks all platforms: in situ, aircraft, and satellite networksIdentifies gaps in our global capacityFacilitates exchange of data and information Improves decision makers’ abilities to address pressing policy issues
GEO and USGEO Overview
10National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
IOOS® contains the following:•Global Component•Coastal Component
17 Federal Agencies11 Regional Associations
Initial IOOS® activities include:•Regional data integration•Building a Data Integration Framework•Observing the Global Ocean for Climate
IOOS® contains the following:•Global Component•Coastal Component
17 Federal Agencies11 Regional Associations
Initial IOOS® activities include:•Regional data integration•Building a Data Integration Framework•Observing the Global Ocean for Climate 10
NOAA’s PartnershipsKey GEOSS Example: U.S. IOOS®
11National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA’s Measurements/Products
AtmosphereSurface
Upper-Air
Ocean Surface
Sub-surface
Space and Solar
Marine EcosystemsFishery Independent and Dependent Data
Plankton Surveys
Protected Resource Surveys
Environmental Data Management
12National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Atmosphere (Surface)
Measurements Pressure/temperature/moisture Precipitation Wind/visibility Soil moisture Surface radiation flux Aerosols Greenhouse gases Ozone-depleting gases
Observing Platforms Remote-Sensing
– Satellites/aircraft– Radars
In Situ – Surface weather networks– Surface-based climate networks (U.S.
Climate Reference Network)– Cooperative Observer Network (citizens)– Ships/buoys
Benefits Severe storms and weather
forecast (hurricane, tornado, flash flood)
Drought monitoring Climate monitoring Pollution/air quality Transportation (air, surface &
marine)
Strategic Emphasis Sustaining and upgrading aging
surface climate & weather networks ASOS IT upgrade & modernizing
the Historical Climate Network Carbon Tracker NEXRAD Dual Polarization upgrade Snow surveys Air quality for human health
13National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Atmosphere (Upper-Air)
Measurements Pressure Temperature Water vapor Wind Clouds Aerosols Volcanic ash Stratospheric ozone
Observing Platforms Remote-Sensing
– Satellites – Radar Wind Profilers – GPS weather application measurements
In Situ – Weather/climate balloons– Aircraft (manned and unmanned)– Ships
Benefits Severe storms and weather
forecast (hurricane, tornado, flash flood)
Climate monitoring Aviation efficiency and safety
Strategic Emphasis Volcanic ash
Aviation hazard • Carbon Tracker• Ozone depletion monitoring• Expand upper atmosphere winds
detection– Ground and space LIDAR
techniques
14National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Ocean (Surface)
Measurements Temperature Sea level - altimetry/seastate/waves Winds Color Nutrients/contaminants/pathogens Tides/currents/sea ice Air-sea exchange of CO2 Marine debris Turbidity/sediment
Observing PlatformsRemote-Sensing
– Satellites – Coastal high frequency current radars
In Situ – Ship/buoy – Aircraft/autonomous vehicles– Real-time ocean information
– Tide gauges – Port observing systems
Benefits Marine transportation Climate monitoring & forecasting Hurricane/storm response Harmful algal bloom detection Fishery management Coral conservation/restoration Human health/hypoxia Ecosystem assessments Coasts and Great Lakes
Strategic Emphasis Expand ocean color observations
– Reviewing alternatives for long-term continuity
Continuity of remote sensing ocean observations
– Consideration of continuity for system acquisition decisions
15National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Ocean (Sub-Surface)
Measurements Hazard assessment-clear
passage Bathymetry/sediments Ocean acidification Nutrients and contaminants Ocean profiles of:
– Temperature– Salinity– Currents
Observing Platforms Remote-Sensing
– SONAR depth mapping In Situ
– Ships/buoys/Argo floats – Certified divers– Autonomous underwater vehicles– Real-time ocean information
Benefits Marine transportation Climate monitoring & forecasting Fishery management Coral conservation/restoration Storage & global transfer of heat Sea level rise/tsunami warnings Ocean carbon Ecosystem assessments
Strategic Emphasis Expanded hazard detection
Ship recapitalization plan and ship operating days
Tsunami Warning Buoys National Water Level Observation
Network & Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS) Divers install and maintain
components
16National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Space and Solar
Measurements Solar winds/storms Energetic particles (radiation) Auroral energy deposition Ionosphere characterization Solar flares/corona mass ejections Radio bursts Geomagnetic fields
Observing Platforms Remote-Sensing
– Satellites– Surface observatories
In Situ – Satellites
Benefits Aviation Power industry Satellite health and safety Astronaut safety GPS navigation uncertainty Telecommunication
Strategic Emphasis
Power grid impacts Continuity of solar
winds/storms detection Studies of alternatives for
solar wind instrument in progress
17National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Marine Ecosystems
Measurements Abundance and distribution of living
marine resources (LMR) Monitor fishery catch and bycatch Evaluate recovery of threatened and
endangered species Assess status of marine ecosystems Evaluate health of coral & other habitats Monitor effects of ocean acidification
Observing Platforms Ships Aircraft Buoys Autonomous and remotely-controlled
vehicles Satellites Animal tagging Fishery-dependent modes of observation
(e.g., observers, video)
Benefits Fishery management Health of LMRs and their habitat Recovering endangered species Coral health Effect of ocean acidification and
other climate impacts Integrated Ecosystem Assessments
(IEAs)
Strategic Emphasis Developing annual catch limits Rebuilding fish stocks Protecting and conserving
protected species Habitat characterization and
mapping
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Environmental Data Management
Requirements Accessibility Discoverability Usability Integration Preservation/reuse
Approaches/Systems Comprehensive Large Array-data
Stewardship System (CLASS) Meteorological Assimilation Data Ingest
System Global Earth Observations-Integrated Data
Environment Integrated Ocean Observing System Data
Integration Framework National Integrated Drought Information
System/climate portals
Strategic Emphasis Access to long-term archives
Applying CLASS to address large data records
Addressing increased information volume and diversity Developing high performance
computing plan Gaps in environmental data records Integration of observations and products
Benefits Weather and water Climate Ecosystems Commerce and transportation
18
Summary
• Earth observations are a critical element of NOAA’s mission
• NOAA has a broad mission--requires extensive observing systems
• NOAA leads U.S. Government in operational Earth observing systems
• Demand for Earth observations continues to grow
• NOAA must continue to invest in EO to ensure the Nation has access to crucial observations in the future
19
Final Presentation will be posted online:
www.legislative.noaa.gov/policybriefs.html"
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
20National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Conclusion
NOAA cannot achieve its Mission to Understand and Predict without a sustainable,
robust Earth observation system
Image description: Sea surface temperature (SST) during El Nino in 1997
NOAA’s Geospatial Foundation
Geodetic ControlAerial Imagery
Elevation
Boundaries
Surface Waters
Transportation
Land Ownership
NOAA’s National Spatial Reference System provides the solid thread that weaves through all of NOAA’s observation systems. The positional framework it provides is integral to supporting the agency’s and the Nation’s data collection and validation efforts.
22National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
23National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
NOAA’s Areas of Strategic Emphasis
Ships—Recapitalization Plan Aircraft—Recapitalization Plan Buoys—Recapitalization Plan Phase 1and 2 Radars
– Dual-Polarization– Multi-function Phased Array– Wind Profiler Network
Satellite – Continuity and Research to Operations (R2O)
Surface Weather and Climate Systems– Historical Climate Network Modernization– U.S. Climate Reference Network sustainment– Surface weather sensor sustainment
Upper Air Systems– Climate Reference Radiosonde– GPS improved resolution upgrade
Fishery Dependent Systems– National Observer Program/Fisheries Information System/Port Sampling System– Socio-economic surveys
Build the U.S. IOOS
24
Subsurface Ocean Example:Climate Monitoring – Global Ocean Heat
Warming ocean waterexpands, leading to
Sea Level Rise
Measuring Ocean Temperature with buoys, ships, Argo profiling floats, and satellitesMeasuring Ocean Temperature with buoys, ships, Argo profiling floats, and satellites
Deploying an Argo Float
Ocean Climate Reference StationHow Argo Floats work
One month of Subsurface Temperature observations from theOne month of Subsurface Temperature observations from theGlobal Ocean Observing System.Global Ocean Observing System.
NOAA provides 48% of the platforms in this international system.NOAA provides 48% of the platforms in this international system.
World OceanHeat Content
The Ocean has potential to store 1000 times more Heat than the AtmosphereThe Ocean has potential to store 1000 times more Heat than the Atmosphere.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)