To assist in the planning of GTOS, TOPC was requested to provide expertise in the development of specifications for observations needed for non-climate components of GTOS:
6.1 Development of Specifications for GTOS Terrestrial Observations
Dr Reichert described preparatory work done on the development of specifications for GTOS terrestrial observations in the following areas:
changes in land quality;
availability of freshwater resources;
loss of biodiversity.
An initial list of variables related to above issues, starting with land quality and freshwater resources, was compiled within the Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN) of FAO, by reviewing and taking into account lists of variables developed by TOPC, the GTOS Steering Committee, the United States Environmental Protection Agency, and lists of other institutions and individuals identified through Internet search and literature review. These variables were entered into spreadsheets (separately for freshwater resources and land quality), and sorted into:
baseline information, containing variables considered to be stable over a longer period (>10y), for instance the variable <Soil Class>;
physical variables;
chemical variables;
biological variables.
In the case of land quality change variables, a distinction was made between soil parameters and other land quality-related variables. The following attributes were given to each of the variables, following the format developed for the climate-related variables:
Priority (1=essential, 2=desirable, 3= optional). The rating was to be undertaken by FAO-internal and external experts with the aim of identifying a core set of essential parameters.
Data Type (Target, Input, Ancillary, Measured), as specified in the TOPC IV report.
Horizontal Resolution, Cycle, Timeliness and Accuracy at optimised and threshold level as defined in the TOPC IV report.
Applications (as specified in the TOPC IV report).
Method (variables measured in situ or derived or obtainable from remote sensing data, GIS-data, or modelling).
In the second step, the variable lists and their attributes were reviewed and revised by FAO-internal experts. Variables considered unimportant for the given subject under consideration were removed and other variables added. The revised variable lists were then sent to external experts and to GTSC for their review in preparation for discussions at the TOPC V meeting. Comments on these lists were received prior to the meeting in Birmingham, but the review by external experts is to continue afterwards.
Regarding variables to monitor loss of biodiversity, a specific working group will be set up in the framework of Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) to define the key variables and will meet in September/October this year. In the meantime, a review paper ‘Suggestions for Biodiversity Loss Indicators for GTOS’ was prepared and distributed for review and comments. In addition, a literature and Internet search was undertaken and some 300 indicators were found which now have to be reviewed, sorted and short-listed in preparation for the forthcoming working group meeting.
6.6 Socio-Economic Variables
A preliminary list regarding socio-economic variables has been compiled by A. Borde, GTOS Secretariat, which should be relevant for all the GTOS issues:
TOPC meeting participants reviewed the specifications of variables for land quality and freshwater resources in a breakout group. Changes and modifications were proposed regarding the priority/importance of individual variables or for other attributes, and specific variables were proposed for addition or deletion. A ‘measurement units’ column was also added. In addition, the theme ‘health’ was added to the list of applications. The revised version of the tables is attached (Appendix VI).
There is a strong need to examine the specifications for individual variables from the perspective of applications and the models/other purposes within which these variables are to be employed. This important step will help ensure that the list is complete and that, once obtained, the list of variables will meet the intended purpose.
There is a requirement for further reviews of the specifications by other groups, as well as for similar reviews of variables beyond the expertise of TOPC members (e.g., health, and socioeconomic issues). Exact definitions of individual variables (other than those already defined by TOPC in the report of the Corvallis meeting; Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate, 1998) should be developed. Once these specifications are finalised, the process and the result should be documented in a GTOS report, to provide traceability of the requirements to uses and a basis for making future adjustments. The resulting specifications should then be entered into the WMO database of specifications for global observations.
Recommendation 6.1: It is recommended that GTOS consider the following steps to finalise the variables for GTOS non-climate requirements:
examination of the variables and specifications from the perspective of models/intended uses of the variables;
additional reviews of the freshwater and land quality variables by other experts;
preparation of exact definitions for individual variables and terms where required;
preparation of a GTOS report containing a description of the process used, the definitions of the various terms and criteria used, and the final specifications.
