Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Coordinated Enhanced Observing Period (CEOP) Phase II, Enhanced Polar Observations Project  (CEPOP)

Outline
CEOP Phase I has recognized the need to advance knowledge of processes in cold regions. Several of the CEOP stations were selected in cold latitudes. The CEOP Science Steering Committee had made it imperative that cold regions observations, especially snowfall precipitation, be collected for a complete record to be provided and analyzed for the CEOP initial annual cycle observation period (1 October 2002-31 December 2004). In concert with CliC a template for homogenization of the “snow” data from CEOP high latitude sites was developed, to obtain and utilize such data in studies that link these sites. A questionnaire has evolved and the outcome has been the provision of some basic background information for the CEOP Reference Site metadata file which identifies those sites that can be used for development, validation and analysis of cold region observations, processes and modeling. Even though responses have been received, more data is required. A number of CEOP researchers are in favor of this effort and wish to collect and apply the data in studies that may assist with work being undertaken in CliC and proposed as part of the International Polar Year (IPY). These objectives include assessing and quantifying the impacts of climatic variability and change on components of the cryosphere and their consequences for the climate system. CEOP is promoting a continuation and expansion of this work within the multi-disciplinary framework that is being carried forward in CEOP Phase II, Part II (2007-2010), which has as one of its main objectives to: “Undertake and conclude a Cold Region Study in Cooperation with the WCRP CliC Project and the IPY effort”. This approach is especially synergistic with IPY: 2007-2008, which is envisioned to be “…an intense, internationally coordinated campaign of research that will initiate a new era in polar science. IPY 2007-2008 will involve a wide range of research disciplines, including the social sciences, but the emphasis will be interdisciplinary in it’s approach and truly international in participation…” CEOP will join with CliC and IPY to build on its existing International data management, satellite data Integration and model output network to provide a database of common measurements from both in situ and satellite remote sensing measurements, as well as matching model output that includes Model Output Location Time Series (MOLTS) data along with four-dimensional data analyses (4DDA; including global/regional reanalyzes) for the IPY 2007-2008 period.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The observation and monitoring of the polar regions will support CEOP/IPY process studies, model evaluation, and change detection. It will also improve understanding of the physical processes in cold regions so that they can be represented more precisely in models to reduce uncertainties in simulations of climate and predictions of climate change. Tools and techniques that are already established in CEOP will use these enhanced observations to diagnose, simulate and predict water and energy fluxes and reservoirs in cold regions on diurnal to annual temporal scales as well as apply these predictions for water resource applications.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
CEOP has already built-up an International Framework that includes contributions from several space agencies e.g. JAXA, NASA, ESA; numerous Numerical Weather Prediction Centers e.g. ECMWF, NCMRWF, NCEP, CPTEC; and a number of Institutes and Universities e.g. University of Tokyo, Scripps, MPI. It will be critically important to develop linkage to IPY directly and through other connections with WCRP CliC and related agency and institutional organizations.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
CEOP currently has sites contributing data that are in Alaska, the northern tier of the Baltic Sea Region, and in Siberia. Efforts would take place to expand the range of sites to include others in the arctic and Antarctic. Specific sites are already contributing data from Siberia, Mongolia, Tibet, Himalayas, Boreal forest region, northern Germany, Finland, Netherlands, and the North Slope of Alaska.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/07 – 12/08            
Antarctic: 01/07 – 12/08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
There are a number of special issues that are required to ensure the sites can provide the data as required. Contact points will have to be identified at each site. Meetings and workshops will have to be planned and held. Data and meta-data standards will have to be established and adhered to. The IPY may wish to act on behalf of CEOP to establish these links.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
All of the reference site data collected and all the analyses accomplished will be available by way of networked archive centers at UCAR/JOSS in Boulder Colorado, USA; Max Planck Institute, Hamburg, Germany; and the University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Existing sites are part of the GEWEX Continental Scale Experiments and are supported by National resources provided through agencies, universities and institutional funding and related grants.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes, the CEOP Phase II, Part II (2007-2010) component, which states that CEOP will “Undertake and conclude a Cold Region Study in Cooperation with the WCRP CliC Project and the IPY effort” has been endorsed by the CEOP Science Steering and Advisory and Oversight Committees.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Expansion

CEOP Phase II, has been endorsed and the Draft CEOP Phase II, Implementation/Science Plan has a data and science component that is consistent with the CEOP framework that will be available during IPY 2007-2008, to accommodate this project i.e. CEPOP.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The CEPOP science and Implementation strategy requires adding a CEPOP Working Group to the existing five main CEOP scientific and technical thrusts namely Water and Energy Simulation and Prediction, Monsoon Systems, Satellite Data Integration, Data Management, and Model Output Development. IPY will be asked to join the CEOP Science Steering Committee (SSC), which has been established to guide the work of CEOP science and to be represented on The CEOP Advisory and Oversight Committee (AOC) to assist with oversight and connections to the main supporting agencies that are necessary for the success of CEPOP.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
CEOP will continue involvement in International outreach, which it has begun by being represented at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) "The Third World Water Forum" (3rd WWF) and the Earth Observation (EO) Summit/ ad hoc Group on Earth Observations (GEO)/ Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) process.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
A CEOP network of reference site/model/satellite data archives with the CEOS, WGISS, CEOP Test Facility will integrate the CEPOP data contributions for the broader user community. The collection/archive/distribution of coordinated, quality checked, in-situ, satellite and model datasets will provide the basis for meeting CEPOP science goals.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Support of CEPOP will be through the extension of existing links to relevant agencies contributing to the current CEOP infrastructure. Commitments from funding sources specifically interested in contributing to CEPOP will be sought beginning immediately with the approval of the CEPOP proposal.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Toshio Koike
University of Tokyo
7-3-1, Hongo Bunkyo-ku
Tokyo
113-8656
Japan

Tel: 81-35-841-6106
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation