SAON News

This report describes the first instance to employ the international assessment framework for arctic observations developed by SAON and IDA STPI in 2017. Earth Observation (EO) inputs like SYNOP station measurements of physical atmosphere and in other stations ocean variables were linked to key products/outcomes/services like numerical weather prediction and through groups like in this case weather service connected to key objectives of the assessment framework. Representative yearly unit costs of EO inputs and modelling components were estimated by station experts or estimated based on European Union projects or Copernicus program tenders. The WMO OSCAR database for satellite and surface observation systems north of 60°N was used for numbers of the different station and mission categories in the Arctic. The total yearly value of this observation system including EO inputs and modeling is over 204 million €. Compared to the observing system estimated costs in the area 30°N to 60°N this is only about a fifth.
The value tree can now follow and combine the value invested in these components as it flows towards services. The key objectives have been connected by SAON/AMAP project members in a workshop to the services to build the first full value tree for a certain kind of observations. These observations are mainly produced by national meteorological and marine institutes in an operational mode. The yearly value invested in the observation can now be distributed between the 12 Societal Benefit Areas and their sub areas identified in the assessment framework. The value tree is presented at a web page by FMI and Spatineo (2019) with a browser that can highlight single components to analyze which inputs and which SBA targets its being used for. This can help to more holistically support the whole observation system for optimal impact on societal benefit.
The value tree tool will be available for further work to address the many more EO domains like atmospheric composition or biodiversity. All in all this report can hopefully start a continuous action to update and improve the value tree. EO inputs are not static, the network changes, the costs are fluctuating and as the Arctic is becoming more accessible, it would be important to extend the observation system accordingly.
The report is available here.

 

Please check details at https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/165840/project-manager

The organisers of the 2nd Arctic Science Ministerial are organising a series of follow-up telephone conferences that address the topics of the Arctic Science Forum. Hajo Eicken and Peter Pulsifer addressed the teleconference 12th February under Theme 1: Strengthening, Integrating and Sustaining Arctic Observations, etc.

Presentations are available here:

Hajo Eicken (UAF-IARC), Member, Executive Organizing Committee AOS 2018
Sandy Starkweather (NOAA), U.S. AON Executive Director
Maribeth Murray, Executive Director, International Study of Arctic Change
Peter Schlosser, Chair – Executive Organizing Committee AOS 2018 & Science Steering Group, International Study of Arctic Change
Arctic Observing Summit (AOS); Linkages & follow-up

Peter L. Pulsifer (NSIDC U Colorado), Research Scientist, National Snow and Ice Data Center, University of Colorado Boulder, Chair, IASC-SAON Arctic Data Committee (ADC)
Co-Lead, IARPC Arctic Data Sub-Team, Co-Lead GEO Cold Regions Initiative
Marten Tacoma, Stein Tronstad (ADC Co-Chairs)
Pip Bricher, SOOS
Anton Van de Putte, SCADM
Report from the Arctic Data Committee and Partners

The topic for the next teleconference will be “Understanding Regional and Global Dynamics of Arctic Change”, and it will be held on 15th May 16-17 CET (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM UTC).

 

 

 

 

The Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) Secretariat seeks a full-time Deputy Secretary:

https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/162378/deputy-secretary-to-the-arctic-monitoring-and-assessment-programme-amap-secretariat

Application Deadline: 20 January, 2019.

Feel free to pass this on to anyone that you think would be interested in applying.

Community based environment monitoring has considerable potential for improving the understanding of environmental changes as well as for improving the management of natural resources. Together with the organizers of six community based environment monitoring programs, the INTAROS project has developed a library of ‘good practice’ manuals in community based monitoring that could serve as tools for cross-fertilizing indigenous and local knowledge with scientific knowledge in the Arctic.

This Community Based Monitoring Library is available at a website at the following link: https://mkp28.wixsite.com/cbm-best-practice. The library is intended to enable community members and organizers of community based monitoring programs to access one another’s experience and gain advice on how to collect and use data.

In the library, each manual is accompanied by a summary describing what worked, what didn’t work and why, written by the organizers of the community based monitoring program. The manuals in the library have been selected on the basis of the following criteria:

  • They have already been pilot tested on-the-ground in community-based monitoring programs in the Arctic,
  • They have in the view of the program organizers led to salient, credible, and legitimate knowledge products and are used by decision-makers,
  • They could contribute to both local and global repositories,
  • They are of a sufficient generic nature so they may be used in other communities and areas of the Arctic.

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