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

VISION OF THE IOOS

One System, Seven Goals

• Improve predictions of climate change and variability (weather) and their effects on coastal communities and the nation

• Improve the safety and efficiency of marine operations

• More effectively mitigate the effects of natural hazards

• Improve national and homeland security

• Reduce public health risks

• More effectively protect and restore healthy coastal marine ecosystems

• Enable the sustained use of marine resources

Two Components

• Global

• International collaboration to develop Global Ocean Observing System

• Improve forecasts

• Assess weather, climate, ocean states, and boundary conditions for regional observing systems

• Coastal

• National backbone of observations and a set of nested regional observing systems

• Assess and predict the ecosystem and living resources effects of:

Two Components (cont)

Weather

ClimateHuman activities

National economic implications and benefits

U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System

Coastal Component Global Component

Northeast

Mid-Atlantic

Southeast

Gulf of Mexico

Southwest

Northwest

Alaska

Great Lakes

Hawaii/Pacific Islands

Federation of Regional Systems

Federal core observations

Data and Communications

Subsystem

Contributions of other nations

National Federation of Regional Systems

National System

• Satellite remote sensing

• Reference, Sentinel Stations

• Link to global module

• Data standards & Exchange protocols

Regional Systems

• Land-based inputs

• State & Regional priorities

• Greater resolution

• More variables

• “End-to-End”

• Built through local, regional and national partnerships

• Provides real-time and archival data for a core set of parameters

• Supplies data to meet national and regional resource management needs

National Water Level Observing Network – an example of a Backbone component

The national backbone provides the observational density, timeliness and locations sufficient to detect and predict changes in environmental parameters at a national scale.

Data from the national backbone can be used at all scales, but most importantly supplies the essential information for national policy formulation

Building the National Backbone: A Key Federal Role

Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System

“PORTS®”

Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System

“PORTS®”

Integrated Data

Currents

Density

Water LevelsMeteorological Data

Data Acquisition &Dissemination

Systems

An “End-to-End” System providing:

PORTS: An example of an “end-to-end” system

Key Elements of an Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing System

Observations• Physical, chemical & biological• Blue water, brown water, &

watershed

Data management & delivery• Multiple paths to deliver data

• One stop shopping web portal• Telecomm• Direct links to specific users

Modeling & ecological forecasting• Data support national & regional

management needs • Public safety• National security• Energy & commerce

Transition from Research to Operational Oceanography

1. Research

New Knowledge & Technologies2. Pilot Projects

Demonstrate Feasibility

(routine, sustained)

3. Pre-Operational Projects

Proof of Concept

(value added, cost-effective)4. Observing System

Global Backbone

Regionally Enhanced

Research Projects

Pilot Projects

Pre-Operational Projects

Operational System

GlobalOcean

NationalBackbone

RegionalObserving

Systems

Spatial Scale

IOOS

EducationOutreach

Ocean.USCoordination

• IOOS implementation requires collaboration among agencies and Ras

• Approval of the NORLC required in advance of Congressional appropriation and authorization

• Through the EXCOM, Ocean.US works with participating agencies to establish funding priorities

• Participating agencies prepare budget requests for their contribution to the IOOS based on Ocean.US plans

IOOS Implementation

Governance of the IOOS Responsibilities

NORLC

Establish Policies and Procedures

EXCOM

Approve Plans

Provide Resources

USGSC

Federation, Users

Evaluate Performance, Develop Products

Ocean.US

Coordinate, Plan

ORAP

Advise

The IOOS is being designed, implemented, and improved based on plans formulated by Ocean.US and approved by the NORLC

Key Components to Building Integration and Interoperability

• USERS/OUTREACH

• PRODUCTS/SERVICES

• DATA DISCOVERY/ACCESS/DISTRIBUTION

• SYNTHESIS

Funding

• Multi-year planning cycle implementation

• Government agency funding commitments

• Federal investments in capacity building

Four Year Planning Cycle

Year NMay – Compile status reports & proposals for expansionJuly – Ocean.US briefing to agencies & Ras on IOOS status and plansSept – Guidelines from Ocean.US for integrated development of the IOOSOct – Ocean.US consolidate agency plans for ORAP review

Year N+1Jan-June – Agencies use IOOS Annual Plan as a guide for IOOS budget

developmentJune-Dec – President’s budget drafted & reviewed by the OMB

Ocean.US prepares IOOS budget cross-cut

Year N+2Feb – President’s budget submitted to CongressOct – Congress completes appropriations & implementation begins

Year N+3Mar-May – Performance Evaluation

S. 1400 - Ocean and Coastal Observation Systems Act

• Integrates national capabilities and builds on existing infrastructure

• NOAA is a major participant in Administration efforts to promote a global-scale, earth observing system

• S. 1400 placed on Senate Legislative Calendar

Ocean Commission

Ocean and Coastal Observing and Prediction Systems one of the Commission’s main issues. Key themes identified include:

• “Whole-earth” system

• Satellite observations

• Sustained, long-term support

• Operational status

Interoperability

• Roles & Responsibilities

Government

Academia

Industry

NGO

International

Sponsors “Builders” Users Pushers

Interoperability Requirements

• Establish standards and protocols for measurements, data exchange and data management

• Ensure effective and efficient linkage among IOOS elements (measurements, data management and communications, data analysis)

• Formulate rules of engagement for establishing the operational elements of the global ocean, national backbone, and regional components of the IOOS

• Coordinate the development of regional observing systems and the formation of a National Federation of Regional Associations

Interoperability Will Only Work If:

• Full Understanding

• 100% Concurrence

• Vocal Support

• Demonstrated Products

• Unquestionable Return on Investment