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DBCP Program Overview
The ocean data buoy networks of the Drifting Buoy Cooperation Panel (DBCP) are composed of national networks of moored and drifting buoys. Several of these data buoy networks have been identified as elements of the GOOS Integrated Observing System. The Panel also encourages, supports, or initiates development and testing of new observing techniques, quality control procedures, and new data processing systems. It also encourages impact studies based on buoy data.
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Program Management
The Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (DBCP) is an official joint body of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) which was formally established in 1985. It is part of the WMO Marine Programme and is integrated within the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) as a GOOS existing system.
The Panel members are representatives of all members of WMO or member States of IOC which are interested in participating in its activities (presently Australia, Canada, Brazil, India, France, Kenya, Japan, South Korea, Iceland, Ireland, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa, Ukraine, United Kingdom and USA).
Terms of Reference: http://www.jcommops.org/dbcp/1dtor.html
Data Management Aspects
The DBCP co-ordinates among the following programs, each with its own data management systems and data flows:
- The Global Drifter Center (GDC)
- Data Access Center (DAC)
- National Drifting Buoy Programs
- The Responsible National Oceanographic Data Centre (RNODC) for drifting buoys
- Earth System Research Lab (ESRL)
The most important task of the DBCP is to ensure a satisfactory coordination at the international level of drifting and moored buoy programs to increase the number of buoys deployed, rationalize spatial distributions for most effective data returns, and continually improve data quality.
The needs for both operational and research data for oceanography and meteorology are stressed.
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Users
These measurements are obtained as part of an international program designed to make this data available in an effort to improve climate prediction. Climate prediction models require accurate estimates of SST to initialize their ocean component. Drifting buoys provide essential ground truth SST data for this purpose. The models also require validation by comparison with independent data sets. Surface velocity measurements are used for this validation.
DBCP serves other programs such as WWW, WCRP, GOOS, GCOS by coordinating observations for ocean and atmosphere in situ surface observations in real time and delayed mode. User services are offered by these other programs, not by the DBCP directly.
DBCP has a capacity building program that organizes workshops, and maintains a series of technical publications and a Web Server.
Contact Information
Chairman
David Meldrum
Programme Leader, Technology Development
Scottish Association for Marine Science
Dunstaffnage
OBAN PA37 1QA
United Kingdom
Telephone: +44-1631 559 273
Telefax: +44-1631 559 001
E-mail: dtm@sams.ac.uk
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