Southern Ocean Observing System Plan Available for Comment
(Click to enlarge) Roiled seas and big waves characterize the frigid waters around Antarctica. Most of the surface of Antarctica is harsh and barren, but the waters that surround it bustle with specially adapted plants and animals. (Credit: Photograph by Maria Stenzel)
The Southern Ocean provides the principal connection between the Earth’s ocean basins and between the upper and lower layers of the global ocean circulation. As a result, the Southern Ocean strongly influences climate patterns and the cycling of carbon and nutrients. Changes in the Southern Ocean would therefore have global ramifications. However, the short and incomplete nature of existing time series makes the causes and consequences of observed changes difficult to assess. Sustained, multi-disciplinary observations are required to detect, interpret and respond to change.
The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) plan outlines the scientific rationale and strategy for the SOOS; identifies the variables to be observed; presents a draft plan for an integrated multi-disciplinary observing system for the Southern Ocean; and identifies the next steps required for implementation.
We encourage all interested parties to provide feedback (to soos@scar.org) before 1st October, after which a final version will be produced.
When providing feedback please include:
- Name and emails of contributing authors
– Comments either referenced to line numbers in the document or using Microsoft Track Changes.
Click here for the report. Deadline for feedback is the 1st of October.
