Betsy Nicholson National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Ocean Service

Overview of the Integrated Ocean Observing

System (IOOS)

National Water Quality Monitoring Council Meeting

July 26, 2005

Ocean.US

Vision of the IOOSVision of the IOOS

The Integrated Ocean Observing System The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is envisioned as a coordinated national (IOOS) is envisioned as a coordinated national and international network of observations, and international network of observations, data management and analyses that data management and analyses that systematically acquires and disseminates data systematically acquires and disseminates data and information on past, present and future and information on past, present and future states of the oceans and the nation’s states of the oceans and the nation’s Exclusive Economic Zone.Exclusive Economic Zone.

Societal Goals for Sustained IOOS

• Predict climate change and effects

• Mitigate natural hazards

• Improve coastal waters operations

• Reduce public health risks

• Protect and restore ecosystems

• Improve EBM of natural resources

An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century

• 31 Issue-based Chapters• 212 recommendations • 13 IOOS recommendations

http://www.oceancommission.gov

The United States simply cannot provide the economic, environmental, and security benefits listed above, achieve new levels of understanding and predictive capability, or generate the information needed by a wide range of users, without implementing the IOOS.

"The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is a major U.S. contribution to the international Global Ocean Observing System, which is a substantial component of the intergovernmental Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS). The First Annual Integrated Ocean Observing Development Plan is under preparation.”

- from the President's U.S. Ocean Action Plan, December 2004

U.S. Ocean Action Plan Interagency IOOS Involvement

IOOS LegislationOcean & Coastal Observation Act:

• S. 361– Passed Senate with an amendment (7/1/05) • H.R. 1584 –Mirrors language of S. 361, referred to

Resources and Science.

Coastal Ocean Observation System Integration & Implementation Act:

• H.R. 1489 – Still in Resources and Science Committees – Hearing held April 19, 2005, views letter under review at OMB.

• Legislation Must Address the Need for Cooperation and Coordination – Evolution of NOPP

• Legislation must recognize that the viability of IOOS relies on connectivity

Tide Gauge Network 3˚x3˚ Argo Profiling Float Array 5˚x5˚ Surface Drifting Buoy Array Moored Buoy Existing Planned Ocean Reference Station Existing Planned High Resolution XBT and Flux Line Existing Planned Frequently Repeated XBT Line Existing Planned Carbon Inventory & Deep Ocean Line Global Survey @ 10 years

Sea Surface Temperature, Sea Surface Height, Surface Vector Wind, Ocean Color, and Sea Ice from Space

Global ComponentGlobal Component

• Operated by Federal Agencies

• EEZ & Great Lakes • Core variables

required by regions• Networks

sentinel stations reference stations

• Standards/Protocols QA/QC, DMAC Products

• Regional Associations Design OperateRegional focus, priorities

• Involve private sectors, NGOs, State Agencies

Design, Operate Use Evaluate

• Incorporate Subregional systems Elements thereof

• Enhance the Backbone based on User Needs

Regional COOSs

National BackboneCoastal Component

National Backbone: Federal Agency Contributions

Regional Associations (RAs)

• Primary interface with user groups outside federal agencies.

• Focal point for prioritization and product development that will have local and regional applications.

With better information about water levels, currents, and obstructions, the newer, deeper-draft ships can enter U.S. harbors and carry more cargo for export

Water level sensor

Benefits of IOOS:Increased Cargo Throughput

Source: NOAA’s Navigation Managers

Improved Accuracy of Warnings

Saves Lives and

Property

Chesapeake Bay Oyster Larvae Tracker (CBOLT)

Start Position

Ending Distribution

• National Ocean Service working with NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office and other local partners

• Requirements process: siting questions regarding exotic oysters

• Enhanced observations (NOAA and academic)

• Data drives 3-D hydrodynamic model

• User inputs parameters• Tool delivers map of larval

distribution• User makes decision (MD, VA,

and DE fish and coastal management agencies, NERRs)

Harmful Algal BloomsIntegration

• Requires knowledge of oceanographic processes and species ecology

• Successful predictions require integrating (Stumpf et al. 2003):– Ocean color derived from chlorophyll from

SeaWiFs (NASA)– C-MAN buoy winds (NOAA)– Field measurements (State & Local)– Satellite predicted winds (NOAA & NASA)– Meteorological information (NOAA)

• Involves Federal, state, and local coordination

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Orbimage - SeaWiFS

IOOS …

• Saves lives, saves livelihoods, and improves quality of life

• Requires collaboration from multiple agencies and organizations—nationally and internationally

• Increases interoperability among observational data and limits need for duplicative data collection

Take Home Messages

Your Challenges How to make IOOS work for you – how can this system of

systems assist the needs of the National Water Quality Monitoring Council?

Take advantage of political momentum

Identify gaps in nearshore monitoring and get behind these needs as a community

Plug into emerging structure - Regional Associations –

get a seat at the table and articulate water quality resource management issues that can be met by existing or new observations systems in your region.

Questions?

Back Up Slides

Challenges of IOOSRequirements• Diversity of requirements and goals to address• Importance of data management• Gaps in the observations data coverage – need requirements to

determine what we have, what we need, and where to invest?

Integration• Integrating diverse, single purpose capabilities and capacities• Coordinating existing federal efforts with regional and sub-

regional observing systems• Coordination and execution across federal agencies and regions

External• Linking to GEOSS/GOOS and Ocean Action Plan • Consistent message and approach to customers• Identifying the “right players” and gaining their support –

including the private sector

Administration and Department of Commerce views on S. 361

Consistent with the Ocean Action Plan, interagency coordination is essential for all ocean science and technology priorities and policy and in particular for planning and implementation for an Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). As such an interagency body should provide high level oversight for the IOOS and an interagency program office should develop plans and requirements for that interagency body’s ultimate approval.

April 18, 2005

Administration and Department of Commerce views on S. 361

April 18, 2005

The administration, through the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology … is currently working to address this issue. However, for the purposes of implementation and operation of IOOS, the Department and the Administration recognize the importance of having a clear point of accountability. As such, the Department and the Administration believe that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration should be the lead federal agency for the administration and implementation of IOOS.

IOOS Coordination Example:

Harmful Algal Bloom Impacts & Costs

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

• Beach Closures• Fish kills• Public Health Threats• Costs to coastal communities*

– Public Health--$22 M– Commercial Fisheries--$18 M– Recreation & Tourism--$7 M– Monitoring/Management--$2 M

*Source: National Assessment of Harmful Algal Blooms in U.S. Waters (2000)

Impact evaluation

EPA

Ocean Action PlanApproved Governance Structure

U.S. IOOS - Two Interdependent Components

Global Ocean Climate Component

GOOS/GCOSCoastal Ocean

Component

GLsNE

MAB

SEGoMex

PacIsl

GoA

NW

SoCal

RegionalObservingSystems

NationalBackbone

Resolution

Lower

Higher

CenCal

Carr

Harmful Algal Bloom BulletinsEastern Gulf of Mexico

NOAA provides state officials with tools for warning decisions

Courtesy NCCOS

• Made operational in NOAA/NOS, October 2004

• Federal/state/commercial collaboration• Future Expansion:

- Western Gulf of Mexico (late 2005)- Pacific Northwest

• Better predictions mean:- More precise beach closures- Reduced public health risks

through more accurate warnings

IOOS Coordination Example:

Harmful Algal Bloom Impacts & Costs

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

• Beach Closures• Fish kills• Public Health Threats• Costs to coastal communities*

– Public Health--$22 M– Commercial Fisheries--$18 M– Recreation & Tourism--$7 M– Monitoring/Management--$2 M

*Source: National Assessment of Harmful Algal Blooms in U.S. Waters (2000)

Impact evaluation

EPA