Ocean Observing SystemStatus & Issues

for GODAE

D.E. Harrison

OOPC

IGST-X

November 2005

Outline

• Planning

• Status of system implementation

• Reporting to UNFCCC

• GEOSS linkage

• Some Issues

PLANNING

• GCOS IP completed & accepted by UNFCCC and GEOSS 10-yr plan

• Review/Revision of IGOS-P Ocean Theme report

• GCOS/CEOS group to address CEOS response to GCOS IP. Continuity & Climate quality of satellite data streams

• Non-physical variables need more attention• Linkages w. coastal systems?• Collaboration with tsunami/natural disaster?

Status of Implementation

• Modest in-situ system progress (~50% of GCOS IP). Argo going forward well

• Satellite suite good at moment (trouble w. ice satellites, tho’), but concern about continuity & quality in future

• Continuing challenge getting national reporting (and planning)

• Continuing lack of international forum for discussion and development of national commitments

DRIFTERS & MOORINGS SEPT. 2005

Ships of Opportunity SEPT. 2005

ARGO Profiling Floats SEPT 2005

2006 ?

• Budget concerns in US• Hoped to increase number of real time

reporting tide gauges (~50)• Argo growth projected to continue• Ocean carbon/repeat hydro development• Satellite advocacy• JCOMM/GOOS panel for non-physical

variables?

Reporting to UNFCCC

• Conference of the Parties has called for annual reporting on status of implementation of ocean observing system

• First such report given in May 2005• Very limited response from nations to request

for response to GCOS IP.• Took a positive tack by emphasizing number

of nations contributing tide gauges• Interest level was considerable• NEED INDICES for COMMUNITY INTEREST

GEOSS Linkage

• GEOSS 10-year plan links strongly to GCOS IP

• Development of 2006 Work Plan still underway. Some unease with draft

• Desirability of higher profile for ocean in GEOSS

Some Issues

• Present plan weak on non-physical variables and ecosystems. Technical challenges considerable. R&D needs considerable.

• Feedback from users has been non-specific • Evaluation/evolution actions limited to date• Subsurface index development slow• Surface flux issues…’SURFA’ efforts?• Can we get increased advocacy, including

from coastal groups? I-GOOS? Others?• National engagements with IP limited• System faces possibility of major disruption