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