GCOS GOOS WCRP/OOPC IX/3 

page 29 

studies, but are not funded to do so. It is also possible that different forecast systems will give 

different outcomes. 

A major challenge remains dealing with the different needs of different applications of 

the global ocean observing system.  

Liz  Kent  presented  a  report  on  sampling  requirements  for  VOS  surface  fluxes,  her 

presentation  is  available  on  the  meeting  website.  Poor  knowledge  of  the  space  and  time 

decorrelation  timescales  of  surface  fluxes  has  made  determining  the  required  level  of 

measurements  for  a  fixed  uncertainty  of  15  W  m

 2

  per  5 x5   box  (5 x2   in  the  tropics) 

difficult  to  ascertain.  The  OOPC  was  encourage  to  provide  their  input  to  improve  this 

calculation. 

8.2 Ocean Product Evaluation 

This item was introduced by the Chair. In principle, the evaluation of ocean products 

is the responsibility of the JCOMM Products and Services Program Area. The Panel was not 

sure that this JCOMM program area had much focus on the global climate products of interest 

here. 

The OOPC decided to provide a list of products  it would like to see to the JCOMM 

Products and Services group, and to liaise with GSOP on this matter. 

9. 

SUMMARY OF ACTIONS 

Action  Report  Action 

Responsible 

Date 

Item 

Ref 

1    5.1 

to recommend that the DBCP address the 

Chair, 

Oct 

undersampling of polar oceans and 

Secretariat 

DBCP 

marginal ice zones 

mtg 

2    5.1 

to encourage the new CliC Arctic Ocean 

Mauritzen 

ongoing 

Panel to work towards community 

consensus on feasible, global climate 

motivated observing requirements 

3    5.1 

to liaise with Martin Bergman, head of the  Keeley 

ASAP 

International Arctic Scientific Committee 

Pacific Arctic group, regarding Arctic 

observing plans and requirements 

4    5.2 

to encourage documentation of the 

Reynolds 

ongoing 

improvements and uncertainties in sea ice 

products 

5    5.2 

to raise questions about sea ice products 

Secretariat 

ASAP 

and their improvement for Rayner 

cc to Ryabinin for CliC 

6    5.3 

to encourage the Southern Ocean panel to  Speer 

ongoing 

consider correlations of S.O. indices with 

wider patterns of climate variability that 

have societal impact, and to document 

these 

7    6.1 

to provide input to the draft GCOS 

all 

9 July