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GT-NET Program Overview
The Global Terrestrial Observing Network (GT-NET) is envisaged as a master network system. It has been in development since June 1997, when a meeting of experts on ecological networks established that GT-Net should generate complete and coherent data sets on global terrestrial ecosystems through international research collaboration. This project employs satellite and supporting ground observations to expand tier-5 coverage within the terrestrial observing system's GHOST strategy. These networks are important in developing the capacity and support to gather the required global data on the terrestrial Essential Climatic Variables which were identified in the GCOS Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC. The ECVs are: River discharge, Water use, Ground water, Lake Levels, Snow cover, Glaciers and ice caps, Permafrost, Albedo, Land Cover, Fraction of Absorbed Photosynthetically Active Radiation (FAPAR), Leaf area index (LAI), Biomass, and Fire disturbance, Soil Moisture, Soil carbon and Ice Sheets. Information on the terrestrial ECVs and data access are available in the ECV Data Access Matrix.
GT-NET Data Access
Updated February 2, 2011 |
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Program Management
The formation of thematic networks has been guided by the Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate (TOPC) on behalf of Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) and Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). As a separate initiative regional networks are being developed through GTOS regional programs such as Southern Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe. Development the data management for those programs is done within the programs and coordinated with GT-NET.
GTOS is assisting in the coordination of the methodology and standards to ensure data compatibility between the different data producers. In addition, in response to the request of the Conference of Parties (COP) of the UNFCCC, GTOS, in consultation with other international and intergovernmental agencies is developing a framework for the preparation of guidance materials, standards and reporting guidelines for terrestrial observing systems for climate, and associated data and products, taking into consideration possible models. |
Data Collection and Management
GT-NET is the main mechanism for data collection and management for Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS). Data are collected and managed locally or regionally, and coordinated globally through GT-NET and GTOS.
This project employs satellite and supporting ground observations to expand tier-5 coverage within the terrestrial observing system's GHOST strategy. These networks are important in developing the capacity and support to gather the required global data on the terrestrial Essential Climatic Variables which were identified in the GCOS Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC. The 13 ECVs are:River discharge, Water use, Ground water, Lake Levels, Snow cover, Glaciers and ice caps, Permafrost and Seasonally-frozen ground, Albedo, Land Cover, Fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (fAPAR), Leaf area index (LAI), Biomass, and Fire disturbance (from the GTOS/GT-NET web page) |
