Cryosphere components in GTOS networks Wilfried Haeberli Geography Department University of Zurich

Global Terrestrial Observing System GTOS cryosphere networks sea ice (GOOS) GTN-G: glaciers GTN-P: permafrost ! GTN-S: snow ! GTN-IS: continental ice sheets

Global Terrestrial Observing System GTOS cryosphere networks sea ice (GOOS) GTN-G: glaciers GTN-P: permafrost ! GTN-S: snow ! GTN-IS: continental ice sheets

flow velocity 13 km/y flow velocity 7 km/y Jakobshavn Isbrae

Ice shelves Canadian Antarctica 1906 Ice Shelf Extent (~10,000 km 2 ) Eureka Copland

Ice shelves Canadian Antarctica 1906 Ice Shelf Extent (~10,000 km 2 ) 2008 Ice Shelf Extent (~1000 km 2 ) Eureka Copland

Global Terrestrial Observing System GTOS cryosphere networks sea ice (GOOS) GTN-G: glaciers GTN-P: permafrost ! GTN-S: snow ! GTN-IS: continental ice sheets

Global Glacier Changes: facts and figures Project management & editing: Michael Zemp, Jaap van Woerden Scientific authors: Michael Zemp, Isabelle Roer, Andreas Kääb, Martin Hoelzle, Frank Paul, Wilfried Haeberli Design, layout, maps & graphics: Diana Rizzolio

monitoring principle: integration of in-situ measurements, remote sensingand numerical modelling

time base inventory repeat inventory fluctuations of glaciers mass balance length change area/volume/thickness change space glacier inventories mass balance length change area/volume/thickness change

UNEP press release : new record loss: m w.e. average loss rate doubled since 2000 previous record (1998) exceeded in 2003, 2004, 2006 only 1 positive balance (Echaurren) WGMS 2008

Zemp et al. (2007)

Recession of Morteratsch Glacier, Switzerland, between 1985 and Source: J. Alean, SwissEduc ( / Glaciers online ( Glacier length changes

DEM-differencing: SRTM - DTM 25

GlobGlacier European Space Agency (ESA) GLIMS Global Land Ice Measurement from Space Baffin Island Paul glacier inventories/ satellite observations

Glacier distribution around the world Zemp et al. (2007), based on Dyurgerov and Meier (2005)

Noetzli 2008 Ellesmere Island, Canadian Arctic

UN Organisations

annual report swiss offer gtn-g general assembly nc Launch of GTN-G website

New GTN-G meta-data browser Data layers:  length change  mass balance  volume change  special events  glacier maps  WGI  GLIMS  glacier photograph collection Interactive map interface showing FoG (brown dots), WGI (blue dots) and GLIMS (pink polygons) data

General cryosphere: Establishment of GTN-S (snow) and GTN-IS (continental ice sheets) has high priority how about ice shelves (sea ice/GTNG/GTN-IS) and outlet glaciers (GTN- G/GTN-IS)? GTN-G: Future strategy/Recommendations GTN-G operates with a well established, tiered/integrative monitoring strategy, which should continue and may serve as a model for other GTNs; Quality ranking should be introduced with respect to in-situ measurements (especially glacier mass balance) GTN-G representatives are involved in IPCC work and should formally be consulted in the review process for future assessment reports Questions/guidance/feedbacks from the GTOS SC GTOS SC to agree with organisational structure and lead responsibility of GTN-G as developed by the partner institutions (WGMS, NSIDC, GLIMS) and IACS/IUGG/ICSU GTOS SC to transfer the overall responsibility for GTN-G to GTN-G Steering Committee Proposed actions to be endorsed by GTOS SC Agreements on institutional responsibilities and lead structure of IACS