Supplementary material to “Carbon Cycle Observations: Gaps Threaten Climate Mitigation Strategies”

Published 25 August 2009

Richard Birdsey, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

Nick Bates, Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences, Ferry Reach, Bermuda

Mike Behrenfeld, Oregon State University (OSU), Corvallis

Kenneth Davis, Pennsylvania State University, University Park

Scott C. Doney, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts

Richard Feely, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Seattle, Washington

Dennis Hansell, University of Miami, Miami, Florida

Linda Heath, U.S. Forest Service, USDA, Durham, New Hampshire

Eric Kasischke, University of Maryland, College Park

Haroon Kheshgi, ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company, Annandale, New Jersey

Beverly Law, OSU, Corvallis

Cindy Lee, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York

A. David McGuire, U.S. Geological Survey, Fairbanks, Alaska

Peter Raymond, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut

Compton J. Tucker, U.S. Global Change Research Program, Washington, D. C.

Citation:

Birdsey, R., et al. (2009), Carbon cycle observations: Gaps threaten climate mitigation strategies, Eos Trans. AGU, 90(34), 292. [Full Article (pdf)]

Acknowledgements

This discussion paper was prepared at the request of the Carbon Cycle Science Steering Group (CCSSG), a group of experts involved in carbon cycle research and application from federal, state, university, and non-government organizations. The function of the CCSSG is to provide individual as well as broad scientific and application input to the U.S. Climate Change Science Program on the direction of carbon cycle science, its relevance to the various stakeholder communities, and identify gaps and potential new areas of emphasis. Additional information about U.S. carbon cycle science is available at: http://www.carboncyclescience.gov/programs.php. Statements do not represent the official position of any U.S. Agency or Department. The authors also acknowledge the Yale Climate and Energy Institute.

Additional Information about Ocean Observations

The Visible Infrared Imager Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Instrument

The first VIIRS sensor, scheduled for launch in 2012, is unlikely to achieve ocean color climate data objectives due to extensive instrument issues, and it remains unclear whether these issues will be rectified in subsequent VIIRS flight units. In addition, heritage and currently planned ocean sensors also do not provide the measurement spectral range and resolution necessary to derive the new climate-sensitive properties essential for interpreting observed biological trends. Like ocean color observations, vector wind data quality and time-series continuity are expected to be impacted negatively by transition from NASA research missions to NPOESS operational measurements. Key observational requirements for quantifying variability and trends in ocean physics, marine biological productivity and standing stocks, and air-sea CO₂ flux, require continuity in satellite sea-surface height, temperature, salinity, and surface vector winds measurements.

Key Requirements for Global Ocean Observation and Monitoring Continuity

An advanced ocean color sensor to ensure unbroken continuation of global satellite ocean ecosystem observations
Field programs for assessing key biological inventories, rate processes and health indices
A strategy for focused ocean ecosystem process studies
A strategy for a continuation of deep hydrography and carbon sections.
A global network of sea surface pCO₂ measurements on Ships of Opportunity to reduce the uncertainty of CO₂ air-sea fluxes at the regional-, basin-, and ultimately global-scale.
A global open-ocean and coastal network of sustained time-series sites, mooring networks and surveys that complement existing global ocean observing system components, such as ARGO, satellites, ship hydrography, and underway data.
Continued improvement in sensor technologies for sustained, accurate and autonomous observations of open-ocean and coastal carbon chemistry from a variety of platforms (i.e., ships, moorings, gliders, and AUV's).
Timely replacement of physical environment ocean satellites to maintain quality observations.

Selected References About Carbon Cycle Observations and Needs

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