GTOS Forward Looking2010 – 2015

Riccardo Valentini (GTOS Chair)

GCOS SC, Geneva, 29 Sep

RegulatingBenefits obtained from regulation of

ecosystem processes

CulturalNon-material benefits from ecosystems

ProvisioningGoods produced or

provided by ecosystems

What was unique?

Ecosystem services

Photo credits (left to right, top to bottom): Purdue University, WomenAid.org, LSUP, NASA, unknown, CEH Wallingford, unknown, W. Reid, Staffan Widstrand

GTOS strengthsMany successes (see biennial and other reports); e.g.: Panels’ work:

GOFC-GOLD: land cover methods and products, fire methods and products, REDD contributions, advocacy for satellite observations continuity, numerous regional networks

TCOIGCO: CarboAfrica and its outputs, in situ methods documentation,..

TOPCGCOSUNFCCC: ECV definition and documentation, analyzing and documenting status for improvements in observations,..

Other: framework for standardization (UN ISO) IGOS, GEOIGOL, .. GTNs: -Glaciers, -Hydrology, -Permafrost; -Lakes, -Rivers, -

Mountains

GTOS Structure

GTOS POSITIONParis, UNESCO HQ30 Nov - 2 Dec 2009

FAO: LADA, GLADA, REDD;ICSU: DIVERSITAS, IGBP, WCRP, WDS;UNEP: Environment Watch Strategy, WCMC, DEWA/ Global Environmental Outlook;UNESCO: PECS, SUMAMAD, GCOS, GOOS;WMO: IPCC, GFCS

COCOS; ICOS; IMECC; GCP;

CARBOAFRICA; CARBOEUROPE;

NACP; projects in ESA The Living Planet

program, ICOS, NASA, GEOUNFCC

CBDUNCCD

RAMSAR

GTOS

GTOS is grounded on the scientific community but with an operational mandate

GTOS 2010-2015

VISION International policy decisions based on timely, reliable

and comprehensive information about the status of the terrestrial environment, its components, and the natural resources it provides for humans and other species.

MISSIONTo facilitate the development, implementation and

operation of systems, processes and collaborative arrangements that enable the acquisition of consistent, timely and accurate information on the global (and large- scale regional) terrestrial environment and its changes.

GTOS 2010-2015

ROLE

To fulfill its mission, GTOS’ main roles are to: i) Formulate, lead, monitor and revise as appropriate

the overall approach to global terrestrial observations;

ii) Identify systematic observations/variables that are required and define their characteristics (e.g., standardization in observations and reporting);

iii) Advocate in the relevant international policy arena the adoption of the proposed variables, approaches and methods and take the steps necessary to ensure their ongoing provision, availability and use.

GTOS IS -

GTOS Products

1. Development of guidelines and standards for improved terrestrial observation systems.

2. Synthesis products, position papers, databases, georeferenced analysis of global/regional/national terrestrial ecosystems services and their changes

Two main products categories :

GTOS IS -

GTOS Steering Committee 4th Session

Paris, UNESCO HQ30 Nov - 2 Dec 2009

PRODUCTS

GTOS IS -

GTOS DOMAINS FOR OBSERVATIONS

The priority for GTOS is : the support and coordination of a terrestrial monitoring system at global and regional level (going wherever possible also at national level, for specific key studies and especially if required and endorsed by a country).

Focus will be given to: • climate change, • land degradation and terrestrial carbon (stocks and

fluxes) and • loss of biodiversity

Particular attention will be given to the impact of the above issues on ecosystem services.

CLIMATE

A1: FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC)

WHY:Climate change is the major environmental challenge to society for the 21st century

Terrestrial observations are needed to provide robust and effective adaptation plans

WHAT:Continue supporting GCOSUNFCCC on ECVs

Expand work on ECVs to include other drivers (i.e soil moisture).

Last development: the workplan for UN-ISO framework and the development of standards for terrestrial ECVs is being submitted to UNFCCC right this week.

CLIMATE

CARBON CYCLE (2000-2006)

Canadell et al. 2007, PNAS

1.5 Pg C y-1

+7.6 Pg C y-1

Atmosphere45%

4.1 Pg y-1

Land30%

2.8 Pg y-1

Oceans25%

2.2 Pg y-1

A1: FRAMEWORK CONVENTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE (UNFCCC)

WHY:Terrestrial carbon plays an important role in shaping the greenhouse gas balance of the atmosphere both in terms of sources and sinks.

Terrestrial carbon observations are becoming key issues of future climate policies

WHAT:Continue support to IGCO / GEO C-strategy

Develop capacities in regional/national carbon observations – Focus on AFRICA

Contribute and advice to REDD

CARBON CYCLE

Blue and Green Waters

100%60%

40%

A2: CONVENTION TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION (UNCCD)

WHY:Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) is a global problem affecting more than 2 billion people in over 100 countries, costing more than 40 billion dollars a year“to monitor the processes of degradation and improvement at global and regional scales without having to wait for generalization from detailed, local information” CST/UNCCDA Global Desertification Observing System (GDOS) proposed in 2009Water scarcity and conflicts are becoming critical areas of terrestrial observations

WHAT:Address monitoring capabilities for water (water catchment integrity, soil moisture)Link with LADA, GDOS and CST/UNCCDEstablish a role for GTOS via modified Panel responsibilities

LAND DEGRADATION AND WATER SCARCITY

Habitat Suitability maps under projected climate change SRES A1F1, 2030 & 2050

Alpine ibex

National Park Adamello-Brenta

BIODIVERSITYHabitat losses : implication for fauna

A2: BIODIVERSITY CONVENTION (UNCBD)

WHY:Earth's biological resources vital to economic and social development, but survival of species and ecosystems is under increasing pressure and species extinction continues at an alarming rateCOP/CBD expressed the need for integrated regional and sub-global ecosystem assessments and for improvements in the availability and interoperability of biodiversity dataSpace observations on habitat fragmentation, land cover, species recognition are a unique niche for GTOS

WHAT:Establish a role for GTOS via modified Panel responsibilitiesWork with GEO BON and the SBSTTA/UNCBDLink with DIVERSITAS for the observation componentFocus on protected areas and national parks/reference sites

BIODIVERSITY

GTOS IS -

Cross cutting priorities are vulnerable ecosystems.

• coastal areas (particularly deltas and mangroves ecosystems),

• mountains,• snow and ice cover,• and urban areas.

GTOS DOMAINS FOR OBSERVATIONS

BiodiversityLand degradat. Carbon cycle Climate

TCO TOPC

GTOS activities, GT-Net, C-GTOS

CBDUNCCD UNFCCC

Sponsors

GOFC-GOLD

GTOS Themes

GTOS: Beneficiaries and Users

Target beneficiaries:

First target are GTOS sponsors:FAO, ICSU, UNEP UNESCO and WMO

Then: • Multilateral Environmental Agreements (Rio Conventions)• National governments, policy makers• International/ inter-governmental science/research programs• Environmental managers• Non-governmental organizations (NGO)

Activities

Mountains

Permafrost

Glaciers

Hydrology

River discharge

GT-NET

Global Terrestrial Observing Network

GTOS - AFRICA

ERC GRANT AFRICA GHG2.5 M€ (2010-2014)

Climate change predictions in Sub-Saharan Africa: impacts and adaptations

CLIMAFRICA EU FP73 M€ 2010-2013

CARBOAFRICA 2.5 M€ (2007-2010)

Collaboration and support on definition of a Global Carbon Observation System (GEOCARBON)

Links with ICOS/GEO Task CL-09-03

GTOS CARBON OBSERVATIONS

dmha

10 km

1000 km

GTOS – GEOGTOS – GEO

GTOS contributed to the update of the GEO 2009-2011 WP and the relevant task sheets for the Beijing Summit.

GTOS is involved in sixteen tasks/subtasks of the last GEO 2009-2011 WorkPlan. GTOS addresses four out of the nine GEO SBAs: Disasters, Climate, Ecosystems and Biodiversity. With 4 tasks/subtasks, the climate SBA is the most intensively addressed by GTOS.

GTOS – GEOGTOS – GEO

Task AR-09-03a: Global Terrestrial Observations Leader & POC: GTOS Secretariat, TCO and TOPCTask AR-09-03c: Global Ocean Observation SystemContributor: C-GTOSTask DA-09-03a: Global Land CoverLeader & POC: GOFC-GOLD and GTOS SecretariatTask CL-09-03a: Integrated Global Carbon Observation (IGCO)Leader and POC: GTOS and University of TusciaTask CL-09-03b: Forest Carbon TrackingLeader: FAO, GTOS Secretariat and TCOTask DI-09-03b: Implementation of a Fire Warning System at Global LevelLeader: GOFC-GOLD and GTOS SecretariatTask US-09-03b: Forest Mapping and Change MonitoringLeader and POC: FAO. Leaders: GOFC-GOLD, TCO and GTOS Secretariat

GTOS SUPERSITES

Fluxnet-Canada

Ameriflux

LBAEUSTACH

CarboAfricaAfriflux

Carboeurope/ICOS TCOS

AsiafluxKoFlux

Ozflux

CinafluxUSCCC

GTOS – TOPC XIIGTOS – TOPC XIIStatus of Standards and Guidelines for Terrestrial ECVs Status of Standards and Guidelines for Terrestrial ECVs

Terrestrial ECVs

T1 River DischargeT2 Water Use T3 Ground Water T4 Water LevelT5 Snow CoverT6 Glaciers and Ice CapsT7 PermafrostT8 AlbedoT9 Land Cover T10 FAPART11 LAIT12 Above-ground biomassT13 Fire DisturbanceT14 Soil Moisture

Presentation to SBSTA 33 November 2010

Organizational aspects (1): Framework

Presentation to SBSTA 33 November 2010

Tier 1 (High (H) – Medium (M) urgency, H-M readiness):

Tier 1a = initial set: 5 ECVs: ECV Biomass ECV Glaciers and Ice Caps ECV Land Cover ECV Permafrost ECV Soil Moisture

Tier 1b = coincident with Tier 1a (provided resources are available): ECV Leaf Area Index ECV River Discharge

Tier 2 (M-Low (L) urgency, H-M readiness): ECV Albedo ECV Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation ECV Snow Cover

Tier 3 (L urgency or L readiness): ECV Fire Disturbance ECV Lake Levels and Reservoir Storage ECV Ground Water ECV Water Use.

ECVs (4):Tier Content

END

Thanks

Rome, 7 Sep 2010