Toward an Integrated Arctic Observing Network

129 Pages·2006·1.28 MB·English

by  Committee on Designing an Arctic Observing Network

TOWARD AN INTEGRATED
ARCTIC
OBSERVING
NETWORK
Committee on Designing an Arctic Observing Network
Polar Research Board
Division on Earth and Life Studies
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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No.
OPP 0408590. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this
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COMMITTEE ON DESIGNING AN ARCTIC OBSERVING NETWORK
W. Berry Lyons (Chair), Ohio State University, Columbus
Keith Alverson, Global Ocean Observing System Project Office at the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, Paris
David Barber, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
James G. Bellingham, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, California
Terry V. Callaghan, University of Sheffield, UK; Abisko Scientific Research Station, Sweden
Lee W. Cooper, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Margo Edwards, University of Hawaii, Honolulu
Shari Gearheard, University of Western Ontario, Canada
Molly McCammon, Alaska Ocean Observing System, Anchorage
Jamie Morison, Polar Science Center, Seattle, Washington
Scott E. Palo, University of Colorado, Boulder
Andrey Proshutinsky, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Massachusetts
Lars-Otto Reiersen, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, Oslo, Norway
Vladimir E. Romanovsky, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Peter Schlosser, Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisades, New York
Julienne C. Stroeve, National Snow and Ice Data Center, Boulder, Colorado
Craig Tweedie, University of Texas, El Paso
John Walsh, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
NRC Staff
Paul Cutler, Study Director, Polar Research Board
Matthew L. Druckenmiller, Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow (From September
to December 2005)
Claudia Mengelt, Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow (From January to March
2005)
Rachael Shiflett, Senior Program Assistant, Polar Research Board
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POLAR RESEARCH BOARD
Robin Bell (Chair), Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, Palisades, New York
James E. Berner, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Anchorage
David Bromwich, Ohio State University, Columbus
Calvin Robert Clauer, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Jody W. Deming, University of Washington, Seattle
Andrew G. Fountain, Portland State University, Oregon
Richard Glenn, Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, Barrow, Alaska
Jacqueline Grebmeier, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Sven D. Haakanson, Alutiiq Museum, Kodiak, Alaska
Lawrence Hamilton, University of New Hampshire, Durham
Larry Hinzman, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
David Karl, University of Hawaii, Honolulu
Stephanie Pfirman, Barnard College, New York, New York
Diana Harrison Wall, Colorado State University, Fort Collins
John Walsh, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
James White, University of Colorado, Boulder
Warren M. Zapol, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston
Ex-Officio
Mahlon C. Kennicutt II (U.S. Delegate to SCAR), Texas A&M University, College Station
Patrick Webber (U.S. Delegate to IASC), Michigan State University, East Lansing
Terry Wilson (Alternate U.S. Delegate to SCAR), The Ohio State University, Columbus
NRC Staff
Chris Elfring, Board Director
Paul Cutler, Senior Program Officer
Maria Uhle, Program Officer
Matthew L. Druckenmiller, Science and Technology Policy Fellow (From September to December
2005)
Claudia Mengelt, Science and Technology Policy Graduate Fellow (From January to March 2005)
Rachael Shiflett, Senior Program Assistant
Andreas Sohre, Financial Associate
vi
Acknowledgments
This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals Mark Parsons, National Snow and Ice Data Center,
chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, Colorado
in accordance with procedures approved by the National Vladimir Ryabinin, World Meteorological Organization,
Research Council’s Report Review Committee. The purpose Geneva, Switzerland
of this independent review is to provide candid and critical Charles J. Vörösmarty, University of New Hampshire,
comments that will assist the institution in making its pub- Durham
lished report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report
meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and Although the reviewers listed above have provided con-
responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments structive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to
and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the endorse the report’s conclusions or recommendations, nor
integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the did they see the final draft of the report before its release.
following individuals for their review of this report: The review of this report was overseen by Kenneth H. Brink,
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Appointed by the
F. Stuart Chapin, III, University of Alaska, Fairbanks National Research Council, he was responsible for making
Robert Corell, American Meteorological Society, certain that an independent examination of this report was
Washington, D.C. carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and
Joan Eamer, United Nations Environment Programme that all review comments were carefully considered. Respon-
GRID, Arendal, Norway sibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with
Joan Fitzpatrick, Group on Earth Observations, Geneva, the authoring committee and the institution.
Switzerland
Jean-Claude Gascard, Université Pierre et Marie Curie,
Paris, France
vii

Contents
SUMMARY 1
1 INTRODUCTION 5
The Need for Arctic Observations, 5
Report Purpose and Structure, 9
Complexities for Observing Network Development, 9
Vision for the Arctic Observing Network, 10
Implementation Context, 11
2 KEY VARIABLES TO MONITOR IN THE LONG TERM 13
Definitions, 13
Ways of Grouping Key Variables, 14
Identifying Key Variables, 15
Summary Table, 15
3 ARCTIC OBSERVATIONS: EXISTING ACTIVITES AND GAPS 20
Existing Activities, 20
Critical Gaps, 21
Summary and Chapter Recommendations, 24
Annex 3A: Examples of Existing Networks, Observatories, Data Centers,
Satellites, Coordinating Bodies, and Programs, 25
Annex 3B: Examples of Major Global and Regional Networks of Significance
to the Arctic, 44
Annex 3C: Examples of Data Capture and Accessibility within Networks and
Platforms: Temperature and Cryospheric Variables, 57
4 DATA MANAGEMENT 62
Desired Characteristics of the AON Data Management System, 62
Data Management Strategy, 92
Summary, 70
5 DESIGNING THE NETWORK 71
Philosophical Considerations for Network Design, 71
Characteristics of the Network as They Relate to the Mix of Network Components, 73
Network Components, 73
Where to Make Observations, 76
The Role of Technology in the AON, 83
Summary, 86
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