SACs have assembled and reviewed millions of
oceanographic observations. In creating this growing resource they have learned much about the
process of adding value to observations made in
support of oceanography. Undoubtedly, through
this process they have contributed to the improvement of the design, implementation and utilization
of ocean observation systems.
WOCE was begun with the understanding
(WOCE Goal 2) that a long-term ocean observation programme would evolve from it, designed on
the basis of the scientific conclusions of the Experiment. As a WOCE successor programme, CLIVAR
(Climate Variability and Predictability) requires a
scientific underpinning and plan that reflects present understanding of oceanic behaviour and which
utilizes new technical capabilities that have become
available since the inception of WOCE. The
CLIVAR field programme will necessarily have
strong elements that are experimental in nature –
because ocean science has not yet evolved to the
stage where long-duration, useful measurements
can be regarded as either routine or as based upon
frozen technologies. The CLIVAR programme,
following-on from WOCE, has now developed
momentum and is preparing for implementation
planning. Its requirements for ocean observations
are large and it may usefully assimilate expertise
and infrastructure from the WOCE Data System.
The emphasis of data systems envisioned for
future programmes have a few key features in
common. For CLIVAR, the first is the need for
real-time data delivery for climate prediction
purposes. During WOCE several centres operated
successfully with this as an objective. Another feature is the end-to-end management of data streams
with overarching principles of data quality and
consistency. They will require close synergistic
relationships between data providers, data assembly/quality review efforts and data users. This philosophy is necessary to generate long time series
for climate change detection and attribution.
Other major programmes such as the Global
Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment (GODAE),
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) will
also require more near-real-time reporting of
oceanographic data for its inclusion in time-sensitive data ocean products. It is obvious that such
requirements will necessitate end-to-end management of data streams as has been pioneered in
WOCE.
SECTION 3 NEW WAYS OF OBSERVING THE OCEAN
190
oceanographic observations. In creating this growing resource they have learned much about the
process of adding value to observations made in
support of oceanography. Undoubtedly, through
this process they have contributed to the improvement of the design, implementation and utilization
of ocean observation systems.
WOCE was begun with the understanding
(WOCE Goal 2) that a long-term ocean observation programme would evolve from it, designed on
the basis of the scientific conclusions of the Experiment. As a WOCE successor programme, CLIVAR
(Climate Variability and Predictability) requires a
scientific underpinning and plan that reflects present understanding of oceanic behaviour and which
utilizes new technical capabilities that have become
available since the inception of WOCE. The
CLIVAR field programme will necessarily have
strong elements that are experimental in nature –
because ocean science has not yet evolved to the
stage where long-duration, useful measurements
can be regarded as either routine or as based upon
frozen technologies. The CLIVAR programme,
following-on from WOCE, has now developed
momentum and is preparing for implementation
planning. Its requirements for ocean observations
are large and it may usefully assimilate expertise
and infrastructure from the WOCE Data System.
The emphasis of data systems envisioned for
future programmes have a few key features in
common. For CLIVAR, the first is the need for
real-time data delivery for climate prediction
purposes. During WOCE several centres operated
successfully with this as an objective. Another feature is the end-to-end management of data streams
with overarching principles of data quality and
consistency. They will require close synergistic
relationships between data providers, data assembly/quality review efforts and data users. This philosophy is necessary to generate long time series
for climate change detection and attribution.
Other major programmes such as the Global
Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment (GODAE),
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and
Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) will
also require more near-real-time reporting of
oceanographic data for its inclusion in time-sensitive data ocean products. It is obvious that such
requirements will necessitate end-to-end management of data streams as has been pioneered in
WOCE.
SECTION 3 NEW WAYS OF OBSERVING THE OCEAN
190