Ecosystems: Work plan activities

Ecosystems: Improving the management and protection of terrestrial, coastal and marine resources

"Observations are needed on the area, condition, and natural-resource stock levels of ecosystems such as forests, rangelands, and oceans. GEOSS implementation will seek to ensure that methodologies and observations are available on a global basis to detect and predict changes in ecosystem condition and to define resource potentials and limits. Ecosystem observations will be better harmonized and shared, spatial and topical gaps will be filled, and in situ data will be better integrated with space-based observations. Continuity of observations for monitoring wild fisheries, the carbon and nitrogen cycles, canopy properties, ocean colour, and temperature will be set in place."
– GEOSS 10-Year Implementation Plan, Section 4.1.7

EC-06-01: Integrated Global Carbon Observation (IGCO)
This Task is led by the USA and IGOS-P.
Support the Integrated Global Carbon Observation (IGCO) development of a global carbon-observing system, in particular improved global networks of in-situ CO2 observations and absorption of CO2 by the oceans and resulting acidification caused.

EC-06-02: Ecosystem Classification
This Task is led by the USA and Guyra Paraguay.
Establish an ad hoc Ecosystems Classification Task Force, covering terrestrial, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems, with a mandate to create a globally agreed, robust, and viable global classification scheme for ecosystems. Establish links to existing databases, such as the Ocean Biogeographic Information System. In parallel with the classification effort, develop, review, and initiate a mapping approach to spatially delineate the classified ecosystems.

EC-06-07: Regional Networks for Ecosystems
This Task is led by the USA, POGO and GTOS.
Build upon existing initiatives (e.g. ANTARES in South America and IOC-sponsored regional networks for oceans; GOFC-GOLD regional networks and ILTER for terrestrial domains) to develop a global network of organization-networks for ecosystems, and coordinate activities to strengthen observing capacity in developing countries.

EC-07-01: Global Ecosystem Observation and Monitoring Network
Coordinate and improve terrestrial (forests, forest conversion, forest concession management, urban agriculture, woodlands, grasslands, and deserts), freshwater, ice and oceans ecosystem observation, characterization and monitoring especially in terms of acquisition and use of satellite, aerial and in situ observation. This theme will address the development of a global integrated sampling frame in coordination with the GEOSS Geodesy activities.
Promote characterization, mapping and monitoring of ecosystems at local, national, regional and global scales requires systematic and formal methods for measuring land surface and vegetation attributes. Develop formal methods for collecting plot (in-situ) data, and for translating between
different systems, produce a manual of field methods for terrestrial data, and capture existing plot data into an operational information system.
Promote the use of Earth observation data to detect the effects of insects, pathogens, water temperature and elevation and chemical stresses on ecosystems.