TOPC Meeting, Birmensdorf, March 2015 Global Terrestrial Network for Glacier: Monitoring of an ECV in a research-based environment Michael Zemp Director WGMS, PD Dr. sc. nat. World Glacier Monitoring Service Department of Geography, University of Zurich Switzerland

121 years of internationally coordinated glacier monitoring GTN-G is today’s organisational framework for the glacier data centers and services Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G): compilation and dissemination of standardized data about glacier distribution and changes

¦ ¦ ¦ GTN-G

MONITORING SCIENCE modelling remote sensing in-situ observations Current glacier research paradigm Too much focused on innovation driven science. Lack of funding for long-term monitoring. Limited scientific reproducibility due to non-availability of basic data. Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

Science vs. monitoring: Alpine glacier mass balance Glacier mass balance: obs series + 5,000 observations + 13 years avg obs length + 40 series > 30 years Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

Monitoring of an ECV in a research-based environment  How to implement a research-based monitoring system?  Get World Data Centers/Services in charge  Set up a collaboration network of observers  Set up sustainable funding for monitoring  How to motivate scientists to share their observations?  Provide easy data access for different audiences  Increase the visibility of their work  Provide consulting service for data users  How to close the gaps in the global data coverage?  Capacity building and twinning  Data mining  Remotes sensing Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

 How to implement a research-based monitoring system?  Get World Data Centers/Services in charge  Set up a collaboration network of observers Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

 How to implement a research-based monitoring system?  Get World Data Centers/Services in charge  Set up a collaboration network of observers  Set up sustainable funding for monitoring Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

Global Glacier Browser  How to motivate scientists to share their observations?  Provide easy data access for different audiences  Increase the visibility of their work Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

When using these data, please cite as WGMS (2012, and earlier issues) and/or the original investigators and sponsoring agencies according to the available meta-information: WGMS (2012): Fluctuations of Glaciers (Vol. X): Zemp, M., Frey, H., Gärtner-Roer, I., Nussbaumer, S.U., Hoelzle, M., Paul, F. & W. Haeberli (eds.), ICSU (WDS)/ IUGG (IACS)/ UNEP/ UNESCO/ WMO, World Glacier Monitoring Service, Zurich, Switzerland. Based on database version doi: /wgms-fog  How to motivate scientists to share their observations?  Provide easy data access for different audiences  Increase the visibility of their work Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G): CITATION instead of acknowledgement

 How to motivate scientists to share their observations?  Provide easy data access for different audiences  Increase the visibility of their work  Provide consulting service for data users Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

Lewis Glacier, Mount Kenya, photo by Simon Norfolk 2014 vs 1934 Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

 How to close the gaps in the global data coverage?  Capacity building and twinning  Data mining  Remotes sensing Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

 How to close the gaps in the global data coverage?  Capacity building and twinning  Data mining  Remotes sensing Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

Monitoring of an ECV in a research-based environment  How to implement a research-based monitoring system?  Get World Data Centers/Services in charge  Set up a collaboration network of observers  Set up sustainable funding for monitoring  How to motivate scientists to share their observations?  Provide easy data access for different audiences  Increase the visibility of their work  Provide consulting service for data users  How to close the gaps in the global data coverage?  Capacity building and twinning  Data mining  Remotes sensing Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

Monitoring of an ECV in a research-based environment  How to implement a research-based monitoring system?  Get World Data Centers/Services in charge  Set up a collaboration network of observers  Set up sustainable funding for monitoring  How to motivate scientists to share their observations?  Provide easy data access for different audiences  Increase the visibility of their work  Provide consulting service for data users  How to close the gaps in the global data coverage?  Capacity building and twinning  Data mining  Remotes sensing Suggestion for TOPC tasks: (A)for each ECV, find (individual or groups of) world data centers/services that take the lead for compiling and disseminating corresponding observations in standardized formats. (=> discussion about Terms of Reference for TOPC) (B) foster/push/enforce the correct citation and use of digital object identifiers for datasets (in general and specifically related to ECVs) (=> e.g., official letter to national science foundations and international journals) Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

Evaluation of GTN-G in 2014  through GTN-G Advisory Board, under the lead of the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences  C. Rolstad Denby, L.M. Andreassen, A. Arendt, G. Cogley, V. Ryabinin  (evaluation is a WDS-requirement)  Evaluation of GTN-G and its operational bodies (WGMS, GLIMS, NSIDC) concerning the monitoring of glaciers and ice caps:  WGMS Klausur, 13 February 2014  self-evaluation report (Q2)  site visite (9-11 June 2014, Boulder)  final evaluation report (Q4) Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):

Evaluation of GTN-G in 2014 – outcome relevant to WGMS activities  “The WGMS staff does an admirable job with data compilation, outreach, training activities as well as scientific production.” => (CATCOS, SMD4GC, MoU IRD/CRNS)  “We do see strong potential for WGMS to act as a distributor of high level data derived from remote sensing products, for example glacier-wide mass balances determined from laser altimetry.” => Strengthen the remote sensing competence at WGMS (Glaciers_cci Option 5) => GLIMS/RGI issue to be solved at NSIDC and with NASA proposal  “The Advisory Board supports the idea of merging the two products as a biennial Fluctuations of Glaciers, which will free resources and offer the public a more timely product.” => Global Glacier Change Bulletin (GGCB) series  “the GTN-G web portal should be an early focus for improvements in publication of, and access to, services that are already provided.” => WGMS MetaData Browser update postponed to 2015, priority on finalization of GTN-G Global Glacier Browser Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers (GTN-G):