Assessing the health of the in situ global surface marine climate observing system

摘要: The in situ surface marine climate observing system includes contributions from several different types of platforms. Most observations come mobile platforms, e.g. ships or drifting buoys. Climate applications using often require fields environmental parameters to be constructed on regular spatiotemporal grids. User requirements are therefore typically presented terms parameter uncertainty at particular space and timescales. It is important relate the characteristics observations, their expected quality sampling distribution, these requirements. A simple method estimate instrumental derived a mixture observation presented. This enables preliminary assessment extent which available meet stated user requirements. Example adequacy assessments for two variables, sea temperature (SST) air (MAT) data. also applicable gridded data sets combined satellite While global metrics SST show an improvement over time, MAT declining. can determine most efficient approach improving adequacy. For best would increase number platforms making observations. MAT, increasing overall, regardless platform geographical coverage required reduce uncertainty. The improved by more extensive evaluation uncertainties associated with each variable type. beneficial review completeness requirements: include relating stability averages large timescales monitoring, constructing estimates air–sea exchange.