WMO/IOC/UNEP/ICSU TOPCXIII
GLOBAL CLIMATE OBSERVING SYSTEM Doc. 4.4
______________ (9.III.2011)
GCOS/WCRP
TERRESTRIAL OBSERVATION PANEL FOR CLIMATE
SIXTEENTH SESSION Item 4.4
GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, 7 – 11 FEBRUARY 2011
Reference Network for Ecosystem Sites
(Submitted by the Chairman)
Summary and Purpose of Document
This document informs on the plans for developing a reference network for ecosystem sites in
support of the 2010 GCOS IP Action T3.
ACTION PROPOSED
The panel is invited to note this information, and take it into account in its discussion of agenda
item 4.4.
AOPCXVI, Doc. 4.4, p. 2
Flux and reference sites
State of play
The IP‐2010 with action T3 calls for the establishment of a set of reference sites. These are meant
to:
(a) To ensure that a representative set of biomes are properly and consistently documented over
long periods of time (decades or more). This will allow the details of natural vegetation changes
and carbon stocks, including fluxes, to be carefully monitored at key locations;
(b) to measure key meteorological ECVs to support interpretation of changes recorded at such
sites;
(c) to optimize the joint use of these terrestrial reference sites with: a set of sites delivering
essential ground data for the validation of satellite‐derived products that provide extensive
geographical coverage for these variables (dealing specifically with calibration/validation of
FAPAR and LAI, action T29 IP‐2010) and with key ecosystem sites (Action T4: Monitoring of
Terrestrial Biodiversity and Habitats at Key Ecosystem Sites).
It may be efficient to establish these reference sites by building on existing networks, such as the
Flux and Energy Exchange Network (FLUXNET) and the Long‐Term Ecological Research Network
(LTER), and to seek overlap between those networks (IP‐2010).
There exists a long‐term Eddy Covariance network globally that in principle fits the requirements of
his task. However, the coordination and operation of the sites is dependent on short term research
funding. This makes the FLUXNET network liable to large differences in quality of observations. Not
all set operate the full suite of monitoring tasks. The overall data availability is poor, as site
dependent agreements have still to be obtained, for is use. This severely limits the use of the dat in
global benchmarking efforts and is increasingly seen by the outside community as the weak spot of
the network.
On the positive side, despite the pitfall of short term funding, the network has established a
reasonable amount of quality control and harmonization of observation technology. In the US NEON
(NSF funded), in concert with Ameriflux (DOE‐funded), are setting up long term sustained
ecological observatories. Similar efforts are undertaken in Europe through ICOS and a number of
national, often complimentary, programs.
The issues
The most important issue is to secure long term funding for a selected set of sites that do the whole
suite of observations following a common protocol or set of standards. Through NEON, Ameriflux,
ICOS, and some other continental flux networks some progress is being made. However, the
different continental programs often run their own suite of observations and operate different
QA/QC procedures.
The second issue, strongly related to the previous, is the lack of a global, long term funded data
center that also holds the data base. Such centers have operated regionally, and sometimes on the
basis of short term and limited funding, but there is no sustained long term institutional
arrangement in place that can keep the data for longer term (>10 years).
The third issue is that currently not all data is publicly available. While considerable progress in
harmonization of a subset of data was achieved through the la Thuile process, access to this
AOPCXVI, Doc. 4.4, p. 3
harmonized dataset is blocked by complicated procedures that effectively severely limit the data
use to the outside community.
How to make progress.
There are several parallel paths that need to be followed, each involving different players with
different responsibilities.
1) Open up full data access. This element is critical for the successful prolongation of the networks
and acceptance in the outside, climate and terrestrial observation community. Adopting GCOS
guidelines will help, but the current networks are the key players that need to take action here,
particularly in the EU and Asia.
2) Select a limited number of sites following the GRUAN model. Define the list of requirements (see
for instance NEO and ICOD descriptions and protocols). Defining this network will help in
acquiring national and international funding
3) Create a group (or subgroup of existing global change funding agencies), preferably under
chairmanship of a space agency to work out medium to long term funding perspectives
4) Establish a global data center, based on experiences of regional networks, at an independent
institution capable of holding a long‐term data base.
Actions from IP2010
Action T3 [IP04 T3, T29]94
Action: Development of a subset of current LTER and FLUXNET sites into a global terrestrial
reference network for monitoring sites with sustained funding perspective, and collocated
measurements of meteorological ECVs; seek linkage with Actions T4 and T29 as appropriate.
Who: Parties’ national services and research agencies, FLUXNET organizations, the US National
Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) and the European Integrated Carbon Observation System
(ICOS), in association with CEOS WGCV, CGMS‐GSICS, and GTOS (Terrestrial Carbon Observations
Panel (TCO) and TOPC).
Timeframe: Implementation started by 2011, completed by 2014.
Performance Indicator: Plan for the development and application of standardized protocols for
the measurements of fluxes and state variables.
Annual Cost Implications: 30‐100M US$ (40% in non‐Annex‐I Parties).
Action T4 Monitoring of Terrestrial Biodiversity and Habitats at Key Ecosystem Sites
Action: Initiate an ecosystem monitoring network acquiring “Essential Ecosystem Records” (see
section 3.8), by exploiting collocation opportunities with the global terrestrial reference network
(Action T3) and the network of validation sites (T29).
Who: Parties’ national services and research agencies, GTOS (Global Observation of Forest and
Land Cover Dynamics (GOFC‐GOLD)), TOPC, GEOBON, in association with the UNCBD.
Timeframe: Network concept and observation approach by 2011; Implementation by 2014.
Performance Indicator: Availability of essential ecosystem records, including proper
documentation, from all designated sites in the network.
Annual Cost Implications: 30‐100M US$ (50% in non‐Annex‐I Parties).