GCOS GOOS WCRP/OOPC IX/3 

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Dickey  described  some  of  the  advances  in  interdisciplinary  oceanography  that  have 

been  enabled  via  new  interdisciplinary  sensors  and  improved  platform  capabilities. 

Biogeochemical and ecosystem problems involving extreme and/or episodic events including 

upper  ocean  response  to  hurricanes  and  typhoons,  mesoscale  eddies,  and  internal  solitary 

waves have been studied during the past decade.  

Dickey  recommended  OOPC  compile  a  short  technical  paper,  a  living  document, 

outlining  key  climate relevant  biogeochemical  processes,  sensors  and  systems,  and 

observational  programs  in  place.  The  website  could  also  include  links  to  research 

observations and programs. 

Maria Hood led a brief discussion about the concerns of some of the global research 

programs  that  the  observing  systems  are  not  sufficiently  coordinated  or  integrated  with 

research  programs  and  their  needs,  especially  for  biogeochemical  variables.  These  concerns 

are  expressed  in  the  recent  ICSU  review,  and  will  be  discussed  in  detail  at  an  upcoming 

meeting in September 2004 between representatives of the global research programs and the 

observing  systems.  Hood  outlined  some  of  the  major  concerns  that  had  been  relayed  to  her 

through personal communications with representatives of the global research programs. The 

global research programs feel that they have no access to  GOOS data streams  and no access 

to   GOOS  infrastructure   for  use  as  research  platforms.  This  highlights  a  serious 

communication failure in getting across the message that the climate observing system is, in 

fact, a system of systems and that, at present, most systems (e.g., TAO/TRITON array, Argo 

Program,  VOSClim,  etc)  are  managing  their  own  planning,  implementation,  and  data 

products,  following  agreed  strategies  and  principles.  Hood  suggested  that  the  time  is  right 

(and  the  need  critical)  to  make  a  major  effort  at  the  GOOS  level  to  develop  a  professional 

Web site (as well as print material, such as an informational brochure) that is informative and 

useful  for  the  general  public,  system  managers,  and  scientists.  It  should  be  made  clear,  at  a 

glance, what the observing system is and how it works:

   What are the components of the observing system, who operates them, and what do 

they measure? 

   How to obtain the data? 

   Who are the Advisory Groups, Science Teams, SSCs, etc, for each component and 

how can they be contacted? 

   How can the research community use the infrastructure of the observing system?  

What is the status of the system and what's next?

The  Web  should  include  GOOS,  OOPC,  and  COOP  activities  within  a  single  and 

integrated  framework  that  does  not  require  outside  users  to  understand  the  administrative 

structure  of  the  panels  in  order  to  find  the  information  they  want.  The  Web  should  contain 

basic  information  about  the  observing  system,  document  and  image  libraries,  standardized 

maps and tables showing the status of the systems, and a clearing house of information about 

technology  developments,  best  practices,  and  standards.  This  has  been  an  outstanding  issue 

for both GOOS and OOPC for several years, and it is time to mark the beginning of a new 

phase of GOOS management with a concerted effort on communications and outreach at the 

international project office level. 

The OOPC had a discussion of ecosystems observations, and their place in GOOS and 

in  climate  observations.  There  is  not  currently  a  natural  home  under  the  GOOS  structure. 

There  are  interesting  potential  points  of  liaison  in  different  communities  including  the 

fisheries  communities,  and  indications  that  some  ecological  indicators  could  be  strong