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CONTENTSREPORT ON THE 11TH CEOS PLENARY
News From the Working Group on Information Systems and Services
CEOS Working Group on Calibration and Validation
IGOS Strategic Implementation Team - Progress Report
The Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment ---This page
The Upper Air Measurements
Long-Term Continuity of Ozone Measurements
Ocean Biology
Global Observation of Forest Cover
Disaster Management Support
The Global Terrestrial Observing System
ISRO takes over CEOS Chair for 1998
The Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment
Neville Smith Interim Chair of GODAEThe general objective and sub-objectives (see Table) of GODAE are: To provide a practical demonstration of real-time global ocean data assimilation in order to provide regular, complete depictions of the ocean circulation, at high temporal and spatial resolution, and consistent with a suite of space and direct measurements and appropriate dynamical and physical constraints.
| Objective | Driver/Needs | Output Characteristics |
| Extend predictability of coastal and regional sub-system. | Coastal forecast systems; regional monitoring,prediction. | scale ~week, 100km
Fields:T, u, SL |
| Procide several -> 20 day highresolution, upper open-ocean forecasts and nowcasts. | ship routing,transport,safety at sea,naval applications | rapid delivery, scales ~ 10km.
Fields:u,SL,u(surface),T(zupper) |
| Integrated analyses for reserch and development.Reanalysis | CLIVER,GLOBEC,etc.Hypothesis testing,process studies | ~ 10 day,150-100km res.,but high quality; delayed delivery OK; full depth,10 v.modes;T,S,SL,u |
| Initial conditions for climate forecasts, e.g.Kuroshio,NAO,ENSO. | Western boundary current prediction; seasonal prediction; climate change. | ~ 10 days,100-200km;
SST,SL,heat contentt,high quality |
| Sustain and design for a permanent global ocean observing system, including remote and direct. | GOOS, GCOS, operational oceanogrphy, multi-purpose applications | Managed data streams.
QC systems Efficiency. Guided evolution. |
- GODAE is a practical test of our ability to deliver timely, useful
products, derived from a global ocean data set, and assimilated into skilful
models in order to extract greater benefit from the information. It will
provide the proof-of-concept for the integrated global (ocean) observing
strategy developed by CEOS.
- the presentation of assessments of IGOS project activities by the expanded SIT Organising Committee. This will provide the basis for agency support and commitment to the prototypical projects;
- a review of the Guiding Principles for IGOS, which are contained in the Concept Paper currently being finalised by the Organising Committee. The Paris meeting will provide a valuable opportunity for CEOS Principals to prepare for the important June meeting with the G3OS.
GODAE is founded on the belief that such a demonstration is vital if we are to realise a permanent, global ocean observing network and prediction system, with all components functional and operating on a global domain, and delivering useful products in a timely manner. The transition of research systems into operational mode also demands such demonstrations.
GODAE embodies a range of processes and applications, drawing power from the fact that they all require ocean data and models, and that there are important commonalties in all components that can be exploited for cost-effectiveness. It also poses a severe scientific challenge.
The scientific and technical strategy will be built around several projects, including real-time North Atlantic Ocean forecasting, North Pacific operational systems, and prototype global eddy-resolving assimilation systems. These projects will provide short-term products as well as the foundations for GODAE, the experiment. The schedule includes feasibility studies and scoping during 1998-1999, a pre-operational phase 2000-2002, and the intensive "experimental" phase during 2003-2005
A great deal has already been achieved in the definition of GODAE and in enlisting the encouragement and support of the community. However this enthusiasm must now be translated into real development of the observing network, and practical and tangible interim products, taking advantage of interest in the Year of the Oceans this year, and various Year 2000 initiatives.
Scientific and organisational planning meetings are scheduled for Melbourne, January 20-22. It is hoped that a draft plan might be available by the 2nd quarter of 1998.
The lead-time is very short for such an undertaking, but it is an opportunity that the oceanographic and remote sensing communities must take advantage of.
Further information can be found at http://www.bom.gov.au/bmrc/mrlr/nrs/oopc/godae/homepage.html.
(continued from Page 4)IGOS Strategic Implementation Team- Progress Report
Partnership
The Oxford meeting reaffirmed that the IGOS concept does not belong to any one community and stated that an IGOS should be the joint product of all agencies involved in the collection and analysis of both space-based and in-situ data. During 1998, SIT anticipates continuing progress in forging cooperative relations with partner organisations. The G3OS have invited CEOS to participate in a discussion on IGOS in early June. This meeting is indicative of the support for IGOS that has been demonstrated during 1997 among the global observing systems and their intergovernmental sponsors, as well as IGFA, WCRP and IGBP.
There is growing international interest in an IGOS which is shared by many entities, reflecting their increasing willingness to make commitments. To evolve, IGOS needs input and commitment from non-CEOS organisations contributing to its development as equal partners with CEOS. Dialogu with all such organisations has confirmed their commitment to discussing partnership arrangements with CEOS to make further progress in 1998.
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