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WMO Gap Analysis with respect to GCOS requirements

Presented by B. Bizzarri on appointment by WMO

This working paper addresses the gap analysis for the Essential Climate Variables (ECV) defined in the framework of the “Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in support of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)“

The analysis was performed upon request of the WMO Expert Team on Satellite Systems (ET-SAT) as a discussion paper for the “Workshop on Continuity and Architecture Requirements for Climate Monitoring”, Geneva 13-14 January 2011.

An advanced presentation was made at CGMS-38, New Delhi 8-12 Nov 2010.

FIRST WORKSHOP ON SPACE-BASED ARCHITECTURE FOR CLIMATEContinuity and Architecture Requirements for Climate Monitoring

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INDEX

1. Introduction

2. Definition of the Essential Climate Variables

3. Identification of the measurements implied by the ECVs

4. Short-list: ECVs based on components observable from satellite

5. Gap analysis

6. Conclusion and important notice6.1 Requirements coverage6.2 Time coverage6.3 Systematic gaps6.4 Important warning

Appendix 1 - Instruments/missions gap analysis in the period 2008-2025

Appendix 2 - Acronyms and lists of satellites and instruments

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List of GCOS Essential Climate Variables (ECV)

Number of ECVs:

43 consolidated06 in the waiting list11 further chemical species (two CFCs considered)

Total: 60

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Steps for the gap analysis

Each ECV actually implies a number of observable variables.

The first step was to identify the variables that can be observed from Space:- 16 ECVs were disregarded because implying all variables not-for-satellites.- 4 ECVs were disregarded waiting for more detailed definition.- 40 ECVs were carried forward because could draw benefit from satellites.

Each geophysical variable observable from satellite serves more ECVs.

The gap analysis for ECVs consists of the gap analysis of the observable variables possible to be measured from Space.

The gap analysis for observables from Space has been imported from the GOS Dossier vol. III (Gap analysis), limited to the period 2008-2025.

The period 1975-2007 has been covered by reviewing historical information, recorded to some extent in the GOS Dossier vol. I (Programmes).

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One example

Continue…

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Continue…

Continuation…

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Continuation…

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Programmes for IR temperature/humidity sounding from LEO

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Requirements coverage

40 out of the 60 ECV’s can be supported by satellite observation, to a major or minor extent.

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Requirements not covered

The following 16 out of the 60 ECV’s are unlikely to draw any support from satellites, at least as current technology enables.

The following 4 out of the 60 ECV’s have not been considered, waiting for more specific definition:

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Major conclusions

Requirements coverage:Out of the 60 ECV’s, 40 draw benefit from satellite observation, 16 draw no benefit or marginal benefit, 4 need to be better specified.

Time coverageFor many observations, data records exist since at least 1975, and long-term commitment to continuity are available till at least 2025.

Systematic gaps:- limb sounding missions after the conclusion of the currently flown ones, that implies future gap of data on the middle and high stratosphere; and- measurements requiring large facilities uneasy to be accommodated on operational satellites.

Important warningIt is stressed that this gap analysis only refers to the availability of satellite observations. However, the existence of observational data sets does not imply that the product has being or will be effectively retrieved and archived. Thus, the identified contribution is only potential.

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Any action ?

Some suggestions (in increasing order of difficulty):

1) To bring the detail of the gap analysis for period 1975-2008 to the same level as for 2008-2025 - all the necessary information is in the GOS Dossier; two steps possible:- to just add mention of the past instruments and periods- to add the information on instrument performances- to evaluate and add the information on product performances (this is available in Dossier vol. IV for reference post-2020 instruments).

2) To re-edit the current document expanding the text of the analysis and of the conclusions for each ECV. [insert slide] [warning: current text is 80 pages !]

3) To compare existing previous gap analysis (there are several !) with the present one (probably the most systematic, with wider coverage).

Preliminary questions:• is this Gap analysis useful ?• is it cost/effective to improve it ? Maybe the essential message is already in.

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