Initial Priorities for the Global Ocean Observing System and the Pacific Buoy Network
Eric J. Lindstrom
Director, U.S. GOOS Interagency Project Office
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
SSMC4 N/USGOOS
1305 East-West Highway
Silver Spring, Maryland, 20910 USA
1. Introduction
The Pacific Buoy Network is a critical source of data on the state of the tropical Pacific Ocean. The data are used in operational models to assist m the prediction of seasonal climate anomalies and by researchers to help better understand the complex air-sea interaction processes in the tropical Pacific. The Pacific Buoy Network is one initial high priority element of what is envisioned to become a Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) and part of a Global Climate Observing System (GCOS). These are "operational" systems whose purpose is to support the production of products useful to society. The Pacific Buoy Network is also an essential element of the World Climate Research Programme's Climate Variability and Predictability Programme (CLIVAR). This is a research program that requires a foundation of long-term, high-quality data to assist in understanding the coupled ocean-atmosphere system.
This paper gives a brief description of GOOS mission and objectives, describes the growing relationship between the existing Buoy Network and the developing GOOS/GCOS and CLIVAR, and describes likely developments in the coming year where the relationship will be further consolidated.
2. The Global Ocean Observing System
The ocean is critical to providing an environment conducive to life on the planet through its physical and chemical properties and biodiversity. Human pressure is now forcing changes in the ocean at an unprecedented rate. The resources of the ocean are critical to the economy of the maritime nations and the well-being of their inhabitants. In recognition of these needs, the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) (1992) called for the development of a global system of ocean observation to help develop understanding and monitor change. GOOS is the response to this call. GOOS will provide the framework for the unprecedented enhancement of marine data and information for all kinds of use: industrial, environmental, managerial, and scientific. The establishment of GOOS had also been urged by the second World Climate Conference (1990) to provide the oceanographic data needed by the Global Climate Observing System subsequently initiated by WMO, IOC, UNEP, and ICSU in 1992. The plans for these observing systems are modular such that the ocean component of GCOS is synonomous with the climate component of GOOS.
GOOS is the only internationally co-ordinated system to observe the ocean and its changes on a
