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Recognizing the need for specific scientific and technical input concerning terrestrial observations for climate purposes, the Joint Scientific and Technical Committee for GCOS, and the Steering Committee (SC) for the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) have established a Terrestrial Observation Panel for Climate.
Terms of Reference:
In accordance with guidance from GCOS JSTC and the GTOS SC, to plan, formulate and design a long-term systematic observing system for those terrestrial properties and attributes which control the physical, biological and chemical processes affecting climate, are affected by climate change or serve as indicators of climate change, and which are essential to provide information concerning the impact of climate and climate change. Specifically, the Panel will:
- Review the needs of the user communities for climate related data and select a set of core variables, both in situ and space-based, at appropriate space and time scales, paying particular attention to the needs of developing countries;
- Develop a strategy based on the concept of the Initial Operational System (IOS) which includes the assessment of existing in situ systems, the determination of deficiencies and the recommendation of necessary enhancements;
- Seek review and support for implementation of the strategy from other relevant research and operational programmes (e.g., WCRP, IGBP, WWW, GAW, WHYCOS, GEMS, etc.);
- Support the Joint Data and Information Management Panel (JDIMP) and other appropriate organizations in the development of data management systems;
- Coordinate activities with other global observing system panels and task groups to ensure consistency of requirements with the overall programmes;
- Recommend a schedule of actions to address the gaps in present and planned systems;
- Make other recommendations as appropriate;
- Publish and update relevant GCOS and GTOS studies and planning documents;
- Carry out agreed assignments from, and report regularly to the JSTC of GCOS and the SC of GTOS.
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