DEVELOPMENT OF AN IGOS THEME ON THE TERRESTRIAL CARBON CYCLE
Objective
To develop the elements of an IGOS Partners theme on the terrestrial carbon cycle that addresses observational requirement, identifies gaps in coverage and develops project activities that meet the requirements of global research and policy initiatives.
Coleaders
GTOS (through the GCOS/GTOS Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate)
FAO/SDRN (as UN focal point)
Canadian Space Agency (as a CEOS focal point)
Key partners
ICSU:
IGBP International carbon research project
Observing systems and projects:
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS)
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
World Climate Research Programme (WCRP)
Global Observation of Forest Cover (GOFC)
Space agencies:
BNSC/NERC - British national space centre/National environmental research council;
NASA - NASA HQ/GSFC Carbon research laboratory
EC/JRC/SAI - DG XII - Global vegetation monitoring unit (GMV)
UN/Intergovernmental agencies:
IPCC
UNEP
WMO
Universities and institutes:
U of Maryland, Geography Department
U of Virginia, Geography Department
CSIR, South Africa
RIVM/SC-DLO
Initial steps
Discussion and agreement on procedures, partners, key issues, initial scope and content of an IGOS Carbon Cycle Theme, outline for a programme document, identification of resource requirements and initial writing assignments (TOPC meeting; Birmingham, the United Kingdom; 27-30 July 1999);
Inventory of carbon-related activities, assessment of existing and required observational requirements, identification of gaps (Individual writers; August - September);
Review and consolidation of results of 1,2 above, agreement on content to be presented to IGOS-P (FAO HQ?; early October).
Presentation of the initial work for review and discussion (4th IGOS Partners meeting, Stockholm, 10-12 November 1999).
GTOS contribution:
Coordination, facilitation of TOPC work.
Contacts with observing systems.
FAO contribution:
Coordination with UN partners (see above)
Internal coordination within FAO (see below):
SDRN (WG’s on Climate change, Biodiversity; Artemis, AfriCover)
SDWP (Population databases)
FOD/FOR (FRA2000, Forest volume/biomass project, fire related activities)
AGL
AGP
ESCG (GIEWS)
CSA contribution:
Contacts with space agencies.
To be developed.
