Global Ocean Science Toward an Integrated Approach (1999) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
5 Gaps and Follow-On Activities
5 Gaps and Follow-On Activities
Pages 71-82
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 71... ...
To identify the most significant gaps among the major oceanographic programs, the committee developed a study approach (Box 5-1) to guide its systematic examination of the variety of science problems addressed by the major programs.
|
From page 72... ...
In attempting to address today's known unknowns through the formation of major oceanographic programs, researchers should be prepared to meet and respond to surprises, or "unknown unknowns," through contingency plans.
|
From page 73... ...
The second example concerned the TAO array mentioned above, while the third example was the formation of TOGA-COARE (Coupled Ocean Atmosphere Response Experiment a field program conducted in the western equatorial Pacific)
|
From page 74... ...
Funding agencies and the major oceanographic programs should develop additional mechanisms to deal with contingencies. Programs should be encouraged to maintain a planning process that allows for adjustments to be made in investigative strategies to address unforeseen issues and new scientific questions that arise during the course of the major oceanographic program.
|
From page 75... ...
Long time series and other sustained observational data play a significant role in detecting and understanding the causes of global change, and in enhancing our ability to distinguish local and short-time variability from significant and regional variability. Discussions among programs and various sponsoring agencies regarding the cost and probable usefulness of the resulting data sets to the wider community should lead to a coordinated effort to fund and maintain the most critical time series and other sustained observational data.
|
From page 76... ...
Factors to be considered include data quality, length, number of variables, space and time resolution, accessibility for the wider community, and relevance to established goals. INFRASTRUCTURE RELATED GAPS The vast majority of the scientific capabilities represented by the major oceanographic programs are centered around observational platforms, laboratory facilities, and computers.
|
From page 77... ...
Modeling, Synthesis and Data Assimilation There may be indications that a gap exists in a major oceanographic program when the modeling and data collection components appear disjointed. Data assimilation, whereby data and models are used together to improve the understanding of a particular ocean system or process, can naturally bridge gaps between the modeling and data collection components of a major ocean program.
|
From page 78... ...
In order to meet the needs of the ocean science community and make use of the data sets from the major oceanographic programs, the nation's modeling and ocean data assimilation capabilities should be enhanced. Future efforts directed toward meeting this goal should incorporate existing facilities (data repositories)
|
From page 79... ...
The committee therefore considered whether, based on current circumstances or future trends, adequate infrastructure could be expected to support any new initiatives designed to address gaps. To understand the broader aspects of infrastructure requirements and identify potential limitations that may jeopardize investments in ocean science research, the broader community was invited to comment on two separate questionnaires (Appendix D and E)
|
From page 80... ...
The ocean's role in the hydrological cycle including freshwater fluxes, polar ice dynamics, and groundwater input, and effects of these exchanges on the circulation and heat flux, chemical species, and marine ecosystems. · Cycling of nutrients and dissolved organic matter within the oceans including their chemical associations, sources (primary production, rivers, groundwater, aerosols, sediment pore waters)
|
From page 81... ...
These would be attended by members of the major oceanographic program steering committees and principal investigators, with the goal of fostering coordination. These workshops could be held as a part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
|
From page 82... ...
A number of mechanisms can help the planning process by identifying scientific gaps among existing programs. Although implementing a number of steps discussed in Chapter 3 should reduce or eliminate gaps resulting from lack of coordination among existing major programs, some gaps will undoubtedly remain (i.e., some scientific gaps cannot be adequately addressed simply by improving coordination)
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.