Recognizing the need for specific and technical input concerning terrestrial observations for climate purposes, the sponsoring organisations of GTOS and the GCOS have jointly established TOPC with the following terms of reference.
In accordance with the overall plans of GCOS and GTOS:
1. To plan, formulate and design a long-term systematic observing system for those terrestrial properties1 and attributes which control the physical, biological and chemical processes affecting climate, are affected by climate change or serve as indicators of climate change, and which are essential to provide information concerning the impact of climate and climate change;
2. To review the needs of the user communities for climate related data and select a set of core variables, both in situ and space-based, at appropriate space and time scales, paying particular attention to the needs of developing countries;
3. To develop a strategy based on the concept of the Initial Operational System (IOS) which includes the assessment of existing in situ systems, the determination of deficiencies and the recommendation of necessary enhancements. (The Space-based Observation Panel will evaluate satellite programmes, determine deficiencies and recommend the necessary enhancements for those variables identified by this Panel that can be observed from space);
4. To seek, review and support for, implementation of the strategy from other relevant research and operational programmes (e.g., WCRP, IGBP, WWW, GAW, WHYCOS, GEMS, etc.);
5. To support the Joint Data and Information Management Panel (JDIMP) and other organisations as appropriate in the development of data management systems;
6. To co-ordinate activities with other global observing system panels and task groups to ensure consistency of requirements with the overall programmes;
7. To recommend a schedule of actions to address the gaps in present and planned systems;
8. To make other recommendations as appropriate;
9. To publish and update appropriate GCOS/GTOS studies and planning documents; and
10. To carry out agreed assignments from, and to report regularly to, the Steering Committees for GCOS and for GTOS.
1: Terrestrial properties include the climate relevant observations for the biosphere, cryosphere, and hydrosphere.
