gtos the global terrestrial observing system programme john s.latham gtos steering committee meeting...

GTOSGTOSThe Global Terrestrial Observing System ProgrammeThe Global Terrestrial Observing System Programme

John S.Latham

GTOS Steering Committee Meeting (SC-IV), UNESCO HQ, Paris, 30 Nov - 2 Dec 2009

Programme Director’s ReportProgramme Director’s Report

GTOS Mission

To provide policy-

makers, resource

managers and

researchers with

access to the data and

information they need

to detect, quantify,

locate, and warn of

changes (especially

reductions) in the

capacity of terrestrial

ecosystems to support

sustainable

development.

GTOS Vision

Launched in 1996.

Provide observations, modeling,

and analysis of terrestrial

ecosystems.

Facilitate access to the data and

information for policy-makers,

resource managers and

researchers.

GTOS is a world where

international policy decisions are

based on timely, reliable and

comprehensive information about

the status of the terrestrial

environment.

GTOS’ unique niche is the union Global-Terrestrial-

Observations

GTOS Organization

Steering Committee Chair: Riccardo VALENTINI

Members

Panel Chairs

Agency representatives: Peter HOLMGREN (FAO) Gisbert GLASER (ICSU) Norberto FERNANDEZ (UNEP) Natarajan ISHWARAN (UNESCO) Wenjian ZHANG (WMO)

SecretariatProgramme Director: John LATHAM (FAO)

Staff: 1 Programme Director, 1 Programme Officer, 2 Programme Assistant, 1 Communication Assistant, 1 Information System Officer, 1 Budget Clerk

Host: FAO HQ, Rome Italy

Panels and activities: Science teams working on core mission areas

Advisory Body

André BassoléEric LAMBINH.E. Nadia MAKRAM EBEIDJacqueline McGLADEDiane WICKLAND

Robert R. CHRISTIANCoastal Panel (C-GTOS)

Han DOLMANTerrestrial Observation Panel for Climate (TOPC)

Anthony C. JANETOSGlobal Observation of Forest and Land Cover Dynamics (GOFC-GOLD)

Riccardo VALENTINITerrestrial Carbon Observation (TCO)

Delivery through – panels and activities

Panels are run on a voluntary basis

GTOS Principles

1. GTOS is a ‘system of systems’, a collaborative undertaking of organizations, programs and projects aiming to improve the acquisition, processing and use of global terrestrial data for improved policy and decision making.

2. The principal role of the GTOS per se is to lead, facilitate, coordinate and complement contributions of partners and other collaborators toward this goal.

GTOS Technical Panels Activity

Activities

Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate

(TOPC)

Contribution to the GCOS progress report Assessing the success of terrestrial actions in the

implementation plan. Identified 37 for which TOPC haa provided its contribution

Essential Climate Variables Contribution to standards and methodology work

Contribution for new ECVs: Ice Sheets and Soil Moisture

GEO and GEOSS Contribution to carbon tasks of 2009-2011 Work Plan

Networks Institutional support for in situ networks (ECVs)

Establishment of several Global Terrestrial Networks (GTNs), e.g. hydrology, glaciers, permafrost

GTOS addressing issues of climate change and climate variability, especially its effects on food security, the environment and sustainable development.

GTOS also supports the observational requirements of the UNFCCC through assisting the implementation of the 13 terrestrial Essential Climate Variables (ECVs).

In the last 3 years GTOS regularly reported on the ECVs progress to the UNFCCC SBSTA.

A new ECV is under definition: T14 Soil Moisture.

2. Climate and the Essential Climate Variables (ECV)

T1 River Discharge

T2 Water Use

T3 Ground Water

T4 Lake Level

T5 Snow Cover

T6 Glaciers and Ice Caps

T7 Permafrost and Seasonally-Frozen Ground

T8 Albedo

T9 Land Cover

T10 FAPAR

T11 Leaf Area Index

T12 Biomass

T13 Fire disturbance

GTOS – Achievements: ECVs


In situ observations are still underrepresented The number of long-term and high-quality

standardized in situ measurements should be increased, covering the main representative land cover and ecosystem types – ideas are sort as to how?

Initial standardization to focus on in situ observations: Existing standards, guides will be considered Relevant ISO standards will be included – WMO

joint engagement with ISO.

International agreed standards, protocols and guidelines, both for in situ and space based observations should be developed and approved

30th Session of UNFCCC/SBSTA, Bonn, 1–10 June 2009


GTOS

GTOS reported to the 30th Session of SBSTA on a Framework for Terrestrial Climate-Related Observations and the Development of Standards for the Terrestrial Essential Climate Variables

SBSTA

SBSTA appreciated the progress made by GTOS in assessing the status of the development of standards for the terrestrial ECVs - pathway for next steps evolving

SBSTA decided to recommend its decisions for adoption by COP 15 in Copenhagen.

30th Session of UNFCCC/SBSTA, Bonn, 1–10 June 2009


SBSTA welcomed the GTOS proposal for a joint framework mechanism between relevant UN agencies and ISO for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines on terrestrial observing systems for climate, and encouraged GTOS to implement the framework. Participation, priorities?

invited GTOS to elaborate a work plan for developing observational standards and protocols for ECVs and to report on the results of the implementation of the framework and its elaboration of the work plan at SBSTA 33.

Noted that priority should be given to:

- finding new mechanisms for ensuring sustained long-term operation of essential in situ networks

-increasing the coverage of under-represented areas, such as in least developed countries esp Africa Stressed also the importance of continuing the development of methodologies, and validation and inter-comparison of satellite-based applications for the terrestrial domain.

ECV Name INSitu,SATellite,

EQUal_importance

Global data sets produced?

In situ data used and source?

Validation of methods &

Products

Albedo SAT Y Y (countries/WMO)

Underway

Biomass EQU No

Fire Disturbance SAT Y Y (projects) Underway

FAPAR SAT Y Y (projects) Underway

Glaciers&Ice Caps

EQU Y Y (GTN-G) Underway (for satellite)

Ground Water INS No

Lake Levels and Reservoir Storage

EQU No Network in development

Land Cover SAT Y Y (projects) Underway

Leaf Area Index SAT Y Y (projects) Underway

Permafrost INS Y Y (GTN-P) Operational*

River Discharge INS Y Y (countries/ WMO)

Operational*

Soil Moisture EQU No

Snow Cover EQU Y Y (countries/ WMO)

Underway (for satellite)

Water Use INS No


Activities

Terrestrial Carbon Observations

(TCO)

Africa Carbon and Climate CarboAfrica and ClimAfrica (EU project FP7)

Biomass and Soil inventory Assessing vegetation biomass, soil organic carbon and land

cover/use change in Sub-Saharan Africa

FAO WISDOM and UN-REDD

Essential Climate Variables Contribution to the biomass report

GEO and GEOSS Contribution to various tasks of 2009-2011 Work Plan

Capacity development Training activities in Africa through CarboAfrica

Vegetation sampling and data submission Manual on protocols

GTOS Achievements

The Terrestrial Carbon Observation (TCO) Panel of GTOS supports the coordination of a global carbon observation system and its database.

CarboAfrica (contribution to GTOS of $250,000) is funded by the EC. Goal is to coordinate GHGs monitoring network for Africa.

Other successful projects supported by TCO are ICOS (Integrated Carbon Observation System) and COCOS (Coordination of Carbon Observing Systems).

The last project proposal developed in collaboration between FAO and GTOS -TCO is ClimAfrica...3.4 m Euro 10 countries multiple partners: links into GCOS

3. The Terrestrial Carbon

Global Observation of Forest and Land Cover Dynamics

(GOFC-GOLD)

Activities

Fire Mapping and Monitoring Global Wildland Fire Network and Wildland Fire Advisory

Group

Contribute to Global Wildland Fire Early Warning System

Long-term fire observing systems

Land Cover Characteristics and Change Land cover data and information products fro global carbon

cycle and biodiversity loss

Forest monitoring (i.e. REDD, boreal and temperate forest)

Land cover change accuracy assessment

Regional networks

Engaging users in the Regions Regional Network Data initiative (USGS); Africa pilot

FRA 2010 ( FAO)

Essential Climate Variables Contribution to reports

Integrates RS and GIS technologies to deliver MODIS active fire locations to natural resource managers around the world.

Global Fire Information Management System (GFIMS)

FAO/GTOS supporting the development of a full

operational system

Global Observation of Forest and Land Cover Dynamics

(GOFC-GOLD)

GTOS Achievements

Implementation C-GTOS strategic plan.

Participation in IGOS Coastal Theme proposal and linkages with Coastal -GOOS.

New version of the World Atlas of Mangroves.

Development of the World Deltas Network and assessments of LULC changes in deltas - expanding DRAGON

4. Coastal GTOS

C-GTOS played a leading role also in the establishment of a cooperative agreement with the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.

Membership in the GEO Coastal Zone Community of Practice focused on observations necessary for managing and mitigating the impacts of human activities and coastal inundation.

Programmes / Related Projects Activity

GTOS Tasks: ‘maintenance’

“Maintenance” activities: Website

GTOS website is an ‘umbrella’ which serves first- level, integrative information (including summary reports on the current state of the global ocean) and then passes the user on to partner websites

Secretariat Secretariat is the principal contact point between GTOS, its partners, and other agencies relevant to GTOS activities and plans, and it coordinates GTOS reporting.

FRA RSS portal

GTOS website

2060 monitoring sites

44 networks

1200 contact persons

120 environmental variables and 60 socio-economic indicators (with description sheets)

Interactive Maps

Thematic modules related to biodiversity, coastal zones, forest, hydrology and mountain.

Local Climate Estimates, Geology, Pedology and Hydrology data.

www.fao.org/gtos/temsWho, what, where:

Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring Sites Database(TEMS)

WEB statistics

GOSIC/GTOS/GCMD data matrix

World Data Centres (WDC)

The two charts below report on TEMS Web site statistics updated at November 2009.

They report the number of unique visitors and the average of viewed page.

35943

42775

53794

32705

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

2006 2007 2008 Nov-09

GTOS website statistics: unique visitors

2006

2007

2008

Nov-09

283

321

448

347

0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450

2006

2007

2008

Nov-09

Pages viewed (average per day)

Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring Sites Database(TEMS)

Integration with other programmes

Activities

Mountains

Permafrost

Glaciers

Hydrology

River discharge

GT-NET

Global Terrestrial Observing Network

Activities

B-GTOSBiodiversity in GTOS

GEO Biodiversity Observations Network (GEO BON)

Making information freely and openly available

Biodiversity Monitoring Initiatives Partnership and advocacy of initiatives such as GenBank,

“Barcode of Life”, Global Biodiversity Information Facility, the World Conservation Monitoring Centre of UNEP, WWF, etc..

IGOL completed IGOL transition to GEOSSGEO Ag workshop – July 2007

Specific GEOSS task, development of a 10 year strategy for agriculture (AG-06-01)

In support of task AG-07-03: development of an operation agricultural monitoring system.

Integrated Global Observations for Land

(IGOL)

Land theme of IGOS:

IGOL design activities that will provide a comprehensive picture of the present state of terrestrial ecosystems, and build capacity for long-term monitoring of those ecosystems.

Recent developments:

http://www.igospartners.orghttp://www.fao.org/gtos/igol/

31 countries mapped

400 Landsat scenes interpreted

A joint initiative of FAO/UNEP, the International Society for Mangrove Ecosystems (ISME), and other international institutions

Global Mapping of Mangroves

Mangroves Atlas

the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) has initiated a 10-year implementation plan towards the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

Currently GTOS is one of the main contributors of the terrestrial monitoring component of GEOSS and it is involved in 16 GEO tasks or subtasks.

AR-09-03, Global Terrestrial Observations CL-09-03b, Forest Carbon TrackingDA-09-03, Global Land CoverDI-09-03b, Implementation of a Fire Warning System at Global Level EC-09-01c, Regional Networks for EcosystemsUS-09-03b, Forest Mapping and Change MonitoringThe areas covered by the GTOS tasks are:

1 Biodiversity (BI) 1 Capacity Building (CB)1 User Engagement (US)

2 Data Management (DA)2 Disasters (DI)2 Ecosystems (EC)

3 Architecture (AR)

4 Climate (CL)

GTOS and Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)

activities

GTOS Achievements

The total number of the GTOS

publications series is 71

9. GTOS main Publications

• GTOS-69: GTOS submission to UNFCCC SBSTA 29, December 2008: Terrestrial framework mechanisms and assessment of available standards and guides to terrestrial ECVs

• GTOS-68, ECV 13: Fire Disturbance: assessment report on available methodological standards and guides

• GTOS-67, ECV 12: Biomass: assessment report on available methodological standards and guides,

• GTOS-66, ECV 11: LAI: assessment report on available methodological standards and guides, 31 July 2008

• GTOS-65, ECV 10: FAPAR: assessment report on available methodological standards and guides, 31 July 2008

• GTOS-64, ECV 09: Land cover: assessment report on available methodological standards and guides, 31 July 2008

• GTOS-63, ECV 08: Albedo: assessment report on available methodological standards and guides, 31 July 2008

• GTOS-62, ECV 07: Permafrost: assessment report on available methodological standards and guides, 31 July 2008

• GTOS-61, ECV 06: Glaciers and Ice Caps: assessment report on available methodological standards and guides, 31 July 2008

• GTOS-60, ECV 05: Snow Cover: assessment report on available methodological standards and guides, 31 July 2008.....

21 in the last 2 years!

Budget

Total funds received from 1996 to 2007

-

50,000.00

100,000.00

150,000.00

200,000.00

250,000.00

300,000.00

350,000.00

ICS

U

WO

RLD

ME

TE

OR

OLO

GIC

AL

OR

GA

NIS

AT

ION

UN

EP

UN

ES

CO

UB

S

OT

HE

RU

NID

EN

TIF

IED

CO

NT

RIB

UT

ION

S

Donors

US

$ M

ilio

ns

Budget

Total funds received from 2008 to 2009

-

10,000.00

20,000.00

30,000.00

40,000.00

50,000.00

60,000.00

ICS

U

WO

RLD

ME

TE

OR

OLO

GIC

AL

OR

GA

NIS

AT

ION

UN

EP

UN

ES

CO

UB

S

Donors

US

$ M

illi

on

Budget

Annual Contributions by Donors

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

30000

35000

40000

45000

1996

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

US

$

ICSU

UNESCO

WMO

UNEP

2003 (US$ 410 000)

FAO contributions include staff costs and regular programme cash contributions

GTOS Secretariat: sponsor contributions

FAO (319K)

ICSU (20K)

UNEP (25K)

UNESCO (21K)

WMO (25K)

UPDATED

2004 (US$ 320 000)



70000

18000

40000

192000

FAO

Standard dpoICSU1/,UNEP, UNESCO/, WMO)NOAA

CarboEurope

UNEP/IGOL

CarboAfrica (Tuscia Univ.)

Italy

GLCN

Total 2004

Donors

FAO 192000

Standard dpoICSU1/, UNEP, UNESCO/, WMO) 70000

NOAA 40000

CarboEurope 18000

UNEP/IGOL 0

CarboAfrica (Tuscia Univ.) 0

Italy 0

GLCN 0Total 320000

UPDATED

2005 (US$ 377 000)


156000

25000

146000

50000

FAO


CarboEurope

UNEP/IGOL


Italy

GLCN

Total 2005

Donors

FAO 156000


NOAA 0

CarboEurope 0

UNEP/IGOL 25000


Italy 146000

GLCN 0Total 377000


UPDATED

2006 (US$ 622 000)


193000

37900050000

FAO


CarboEurope

UNEP/IGOL


Italy

GLCN

Total 2006

Donors

FAO 193000


NOAA 0

CarboEurope 0

UNEP/IGOL 0


Italy 379000

GLCN 0Total 622000


UPDATED

2007 (US$ 459 000)


254000

50000

155000

FAO


CarboEurope

UNEP/IGOL


Italy

GLCN

Total 2007

Donors

FAO 155000


NOAA 0

CarboEurope 0

UNEP/IGOL 0


Italy 0

GLCN 0Total 459000


UPDATED

2008 (US$ 227 500)


13150050000

6000

40000

FAO


CarboEurope

UNEP/IGOL


Italy

GLCN

Total 2008

Donors

FAO 131500


NOAA 0

CarboEurope 0

UNEP/IGOL 0


Italy 0

GLCN 40000Total 227500


UPDATED

2009 (US$ 260 144)


16414450000

40000

6000

FAO


CarboEurope

UNEP/IGOL


Italy

GLCN

Total 2009

Donors

FAO 164144


NOAA 0

CarboEurope 0

UNEP/IGOL 0


Italy 0

GLCN 40000Total 260144


UPDATED

Director’s Report Activities of the Secretariat

Programme Director / Programme Director /

Admin AssAdmin AssProgramme Officer/Programme AssistantProgramme Officer/Programme Assistant Communication OfficerCommunication Officer

Management of GTOS(Exec. Bodies of sponsors, GTOS Panels, Prep of Pres

and Docs)

UNFCCC(IP, Progress Report)

Website content

Management Environmental monitoring

and Assessment FAO

Satellite Activities(CEOS, CGMS, ESA)

development of communication plan

Steering Committee/Panels GCOS +

GTOS/TOPC

Terrestrial Activities

(i.e. GOFC, GCOS, TCO)assist in preparation of

documents on latest activities

Budget GTOS &Fundraising

IT(Meetings, IT, Fundraising)

assist in preparation of all communication material

Reporting to UNFCCC/SBSTTA on behalf of Sponsor on

Terrestrial UN ISO Framework

Outreach(Website, Newsletter, Print)

assist in preparation of documents on latest activities

Regional activitiesCarboAfrica/ClimAfrica Regional activities: CarboAfrica, ClimAfrica

Donor liaisonMoU/LoA

Interactions with GEO, WCRP, IPCC

Interaction/RepresentativeGEO/CEO/WIGOS/ESA

Other

GTOSThe Global Terrestrial Observing System Programme

John Latham (NRCE)

Thank YouThank You

gtos the global terrestrial observing system programme john s.latham gtos steering committee meeting...

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