Download Annual-IOOS-Conf

IOOS
First Annual Implementation Conference
31 August to 2 September
Preliminary Agenda Outline
Ocean.US, in consultation with its Executive Committee, has drafted a preliminary
conceptual outline for the conference (below) for your review and comment. Your
responses to the following questions will help better define objectives, specify
deliverables and finalize the agenda:
What do you want to get out of the conference and how should we shape the agenda
to achieve these ends?
What deliverables do you need from each session and what is the desired outcome of
day-3?
Goal and Objectives
Ocean.US has been working with federal agencies (NOAA, NASA, NSF, Navy, EPA,
ACE, USGS, MMS, and USCG) to draft a preliminary implementation plan for the
initial IOOS that reflects both national and regional priorities for IOOS development.1
The final plan (which will be revised and updated annually) will recommend
priorities that federal agencies may use to establish funding priorities for their
contributions to the implementation, operation and improvement of the initial IOOS.
The conference will provide a forum for the leaders of nascent regional associations
to work directly with participating federal agencies to help finalize this document.
The objectives are to formulate recommendations for the following:
(1) phased implementation of the initial IOOS infrastructure using existing
operational observing subsystem assets (FY 05-06) and
(2) phased enhancements of the initial IOOS.
Ocean.US is proposing to use the conference to achieve consensus on the way
forward much like the 2002 Airlie House workshop was used to develop a consensus
on a design for an IOOS that includes both global ocean-climate and coastal
components.
Participants
Representatives from federal agencies (e.g., program managers), nascent regional
associations (leader from each), and the USGSC.
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Procedure
Ocean.US envisions a product-driven process for developing a prioritized, phased
implementation plan for the near term (the initial system using existing assets: FY 0507) and the longer term (enhancing the initial system: FY 05-14). By “productdriven”, it is meant that, beginning with specification of a product,
(1) determine capabilities required for data analysis (including modeling), data
management and communications, data telemetry, and measurements to serve the
data and information required to produce the produce; and
(2) formulate phased, prioritized implementations plans for developing these
capabilities.
This has been done for the global ocean-climate component, but not for the coastal
component. Thus, the conference will focus on the development of the coastal
component and coordination between its development and that of the global
component.
Proposed Agenda Outline
Days-1 and -2
Introduction
1. Overview of the preliminary implementation plan, conference goals,
deliverables and procedures (Tom Malone)
2. Discussion to clarify issues related to the IP, goals, deliverables and
procedures (Panel led by members of the Ocean.US EXCOM, Director of
Ocean.US, Chair of NFRA Organizing Committee)
Priorities for Implementation
The focus here is on developing the capabilities for the provision of data and
information needed to produce specific products.
3. Near Term (FY 05-06) Implementation of the Coastal Component
Given the short list of products derived from products recommended in the
preliminary implementation plan2, formulate recommendations for phased
implementation of elements/programs needed to develop capabilities needed
to provide required data and information at specified rates with known
precision and accuracy.
It is anticipated that this will focus on DMAC development and modeling.
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4. Longer Term (FY05-14) Enhancements to the Coastal Component
Given the short list of products (to be determined), formulate
recommendations for phased implementation of elements/programs needed to
improve capabilities to provide required data and information at specified
rates with known precision and accuracy.
It is anticipated that this session will focus on R&D needs, continued DMAC
development, incorporation of additional elements that are already
operational, and improving existing operational elements of the IOOS.
5. Near and Long Term Global Ocean-Climate Component
Following a brief review of the global plan, the status of implementation, and
future developments, discuss the interdependencies of the global and coastal
components and formulate recommendations for coordinated development of
both components.
6. DMAC
Following a brief discussion of the DMAC Plan, key issues and opportunities
(including recommended next steps for developing DMAC capabilities),
formulate recommendations for developing and implementing a set of best
data management, communications and archiving practices (hereafter termed
as “standards”) for sustained observations/observatory data and metadata. A
key question is how to establish a sustainable process that will lead to the
early identification and subsequent evolution of DMAC standards that can be
implemented, are cost effective, efficient and responsive to provider, user, and
sponsor (funding) needs. Essentially, “How do we get there from here?”
7. Development of Regional Associations
Following a summary of the rationale for federal investment in the
development of RAs and RCOOSs, current status of RA and RCOOS
development, and next steps, formulate recommendations for timely
establishment of regional associations and the NFRA with estimated costs (FY
05-06).
8. Summary
Draft of conference consensus statements discussed, modified and agreed to. This
is intended to provide guidance and a starting point for discussion on day 3. It is
expected that there will be issues that require further discussion and time will be
available.
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Day-3
Federal Representatives meet with Ocean.US to formulate realistic options for
IOOS development based on the outcomes of days 1 and 2.
FOOTNOTES
1 The
preliminary plan will be completed and made available to all workshop participants
at least two weeks prior to the conference. Recommendations are made for an initial
IOOS to be build using existing observing subsystem assets and for enhancements to that
system.
2 Based
on results from the Airlie House workshop, a set of products and programs
needed to produce them are recommended in the preliminary implementation plan for the
near term. These are as follows:
1) Sea surface wind, surface atmospheric pressure, and wave and current spatial
distributions;
2) Interannual changes in annual mean sea level on regional and national scales;
3) Surface and interior fields of temperature, salinity, and carbon;
4) Heat, water, and carbon fluxes across the air-sea interface; and
5) Sea ice distribution and volume.
6) Surface and interior fields of phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll-a) and
macrozooplankton abundance;
7) Annual assessments of the spatial extent and condition of coral reefs, sea grass
beds, kelp beds, tidal marshes, and mangrove forests;
8) Abundance and distribution of living marine resources (including protected
species); and
9) Integrated, nationwide estimates of annual land-sea freshwater flows and
associated fluxes of sediments, nutrients, and contaminants.
Products have yet to be specified to help guide enhancements over the longer term. Over
the next few weeks, Ocean.US will work with its Executive Committee and nascent
regional associations to agree on a short list to be served both near-term (from the list
above) and long-term. The latter may include new products that require the development
of new capabilities through R&D (research and pilot projects), improving existing
operational capabilities with proven technologies, or incorporating additional operational
programs that were not recommended for the initial IOOS.
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