7.8
Ensuring the usefulness of integrated observing systems
T. P. DeFelice, Raytheon, Sioux Falls, SD
We have been formalizing the infrastructure to encompass the disciplines fundamental to “Integrated Science” hypotheses throughout the United States Geological Survey. These disciplines include atmospheric, biospheric, hydrologic, geographic and geological Sciences. Here, I focus on the atmospheric and hydrologic science disciplinary aspects of those efforts. It is true that essentially all observation systems are multi-purpose and have multiple applications. The methodologies employed for each application could also be very different. Thus, as we plan these systems we need to first establish protocols by which these activities should be conducted. So that, (i) the data layers from multiple activities may be more readily integrated and shared, (ii) the interpretation of these data won’t be masked by artifacts inherent within the particular interdisciplinary data and their acquisition. Better data and more representative forecast models come from careful attention to making the measurements that satisfy a particular objective or objectives. We need to ensure that valid, intercomparable data are available for any application, and that models contain valid data-derived representations of atmospheric, hydrologic and even geographical, geological, chemical, and/or biological processes. Ecosystems encompass such multiple disciplinary processes and these processes have been studied using remote sensing and groundbased sensors for nearly three decades. There are two needs as satellite sensors continue to mature (e.g., improve their viewing resolution), the first is to develop standard observational protocols for such relationships, particularly for long term atmospheric monitoring strategies as applied to; temperature trends of the ocean’s upper surface, pollutant transport, climate impacts on the surface, or others. A second need is to determine whether existing satellite and atmospheric and hydrologic parameter relationships could be valid on spatial scales of the order of meters, since satellite sensor technology is able to collect data at such spatial resolutions. A suggested series of steps that address sampling, mapping multiple datasets to each other, analyzing, validating/calibrating and documenting remote sensing and in-situ measurement relationships will be presented.
Session 7, Role of Observing Systems
Thursday, 18 January 2001, 1:30 PM-5:15 PM
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