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The Coastal Observation Theme is under preparation
Coastal zones
are the sites of some of the most important, productive and unique ecosystems
on Earth. They are also centers of human population (upwards of 1 billion
people worldwide) and commerce. Both these natural and human elements
of coastal zones are vulnerable to disturbances associated with natural
climate variability in conjunction with anthropogenic forcing. These disturbances
associated with natural climate variability in conjunction with anthropogenic
forcing. These disturbances impact the capacity of the coastal zone to
supports goods and services. Thus, the ability to detect and predict changes
in coastal environmental indicators in a timely manner is crucial. This
need remains largely unfulfilled, as coastal zones are difficult to observe
since they exhibit considerable environmental heterogeneity. For this
reason, the IGOS Partnership approved the development of a Coastal Theme
in June 2003, under the leadership of CEOS (NOAA/NASA) with key roles
also played by GOOS, GTOS and IGBP.
Numerous national and international
organizations have established research and monitoring programs that involve
acquisition and/or utilization of in-situ measurements, remote sensing,
or both. Most of these programs target marine environments or terrestrial
environments, but rarely both, and too often their observing efforts are
uncoordinated or redundant. In particular, a strategy has yet to be formulated
and implemented to coordinate and integrate these diverse observing activities
in the coastal zone. Therefore, the IGOS Coastal Theme will coordinate
and strengthen present and future coastal observational(in-situ
& space-based) capabilities and the attendant decision-making process
by developing a strategy for integrated global observations that will
provide improved understanding of Earth system variability and change
in the coastal zone.
Further information
Paul DiGiacomo (pmd@pacific.jpl.nasa.gov)
Report - will soon be available
Presentation - will soon be available
Website - not available
