WORLD METEOROLOGICAL INTERGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATION OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION SYSTEMATIC OBSERVATION REQUIREMENTS FOR SATELLITE-BASED DATA PRODUCTS FOR CLIMATE 2011 Update Supplemental details to the satellite-based component of the “Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (2010 Update)” December 2011 GCOS – 154 UNITED NATIONS INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR ENVIRONMENT PROGRAMME SCIENCE © World Meteorological Organization, 2011 The right of publication in print, electronic and any other form and in any language is reserved by WMO. Short extracts from WMO publications may be reproduced without authorization provided that the complete source is clearly indicated. Editorial correspondence and requests to publish, reproduce or translate this publication (articles) in part or in whole should be addressed to: Chairperson, Publications Board World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 7 bis, avenue de la Paix Tel.: +41 (0)22 730 84 03 P.O. 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Supplemental details to the satellite-based component of the “Implementation Plan for the Global Observing System for Climate in Support of the UNFCCC (2010 Update)” TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................iii Systematic Observation Requirements for Satellite-based Products for Climate (2011 Update) ..........1 1. INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................1 1.1. Purpose of this Document ........................................................................................................1 1.2. Basis provided by the GCOS Implementation Plan..................................................................2 1.3. Societal Benefits of Satellite-based Products...........................................................................3 1.4. The Satellite Component of the GCOS Implementation Plan ..................................................3 1.5. Scientific Coordination..............................................................................................................5 1.6. The Nature of Requirements Considered in this Report ..........................................................5 1.6.1. Data Records and Products ..............................................................................................5 1.6.2. Resolution, Accuracy and Stability....................................................................................6 1.7. Structure of this Document .......................................................................................................9 2. CROSS-CUTTING NEEDS ...........................................................................................................11 3. PRODUCTS...................................................................................................................................15 3.1. Atmosphere ............................................................................................................................17 3.1.1. ECV Surface Wind Speed and Direction.........................................................................17 3.1.2. ECV Precipitation ............................................................................................................18 3.1.3. ECV Upper-air Temperature ...........................................................................................21 3.1.4. ECV Upper-air Wind........................................................................................................24 3.1.5. ECV Water Vapour..........................................................................................................25 3.1.6. ECV Cloud Properties .....................................................................................................28 3.1.7. ECV Earth Radiation Budget...........................................................................................30 3.1.8. ECV Carbon Dioxide, Methane and other Greenhouse Gases ......................................32 3.1.9. ECV Ozone......................................................................................................................35 3.1.10. ECV Aerosol Properties...............................................................................................37 3.1.11. Precursors supporting the aerosol and ozone ECVs ..................................................41 3.2. Oceans ...................................................................................................................................43 3.2.1. ECV Sea-surface Temperature ......................................................................................43 3.2.2. Sea-surface Salinity........................................................................................................46 3.2.3. ECV Sea Level ................................................................................................................47 3.2.4. ECV Sea State ................................................................................................................49 3.2.5. ECV Sea Ice....................................................................................................................51 3.2.6. ECV Ocean Colour..........................................................................................................54 3.3. Terrestrial................................................................................................................................59 3.3.1. ECV Lakes.......................................................................................................................59 3.3.2. ECV Snow Cover ............................................................................................................62 3.3.3. ECV Glaciers and Ice Caps.............................................................................................64 3.3.4. ECV Ice Sheets ...............................................................................................................68 3.3.5. ECV Albedo.....................................................................................................................70 3.3.6. ECV Land Cover .............................................................................................................74 3.3.7. ECV FAPAR ....................................................................................................................79 3.3.8. ECV LAI...........................................................................................................................83 3.3.9. ECV Above-ground Biomass...........................................................................................87 3.3.10. ECV Fire Disturbance ..................................................................................................90 3.3.11. ECV Soil Moisture........................................................................................................96 3.3.12. Land-surface Temperature ..........................................................................................98 3.4. Cross-ECV Issues ................................................................................................................101 3.4.1. Fluxes ............................................................................................................................101 3.4.2. Re-Analysis ...................................................................................................................101 3.5. Emerging Capabilities...........................................................................................................103 Surface Pressure .........................................................................................................................104 4. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS............................................................................................................105 Appendix 1: List of Actions and ‘Agents for Implementation’ for which the ‘Agents’ are Space Agencies, CGMS or CEOS ..........................................................................................107 Appendix 2: UNFCCC Decision 9/CP.15...........................................................................................115 Appendix 3: GCOS Climate Monitoring Principles.............................................................................117 Appendix 4: GCOS Essential Climate Variables ...............................................................................119 Appendix 5: