Terrestrial Carbon Observation - No. 3 - The Rio de Janeiro Recommendations for Terrestrial and Atmospheric Measurements

ISSN 1684-8241
Environment and Natural Resources Service
Sustainable Development Department
February 2001
J. Cihlar and S. Denning (Editors)

Contributing authors
F. Ahern, O. Arino, A. Belward, F. Bretherton,
W. Cramer, G. Dedieu, C. Field, R. Francey,
R. Gommes, J. Gosz, K. Hibbard, T. Igarashi, P. Kabat,
R. Olson, S. Plummer, I. Rasool, M. Raupach,
R. Scholes, J. Townshend, R. Valentini, D. Wickland

FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS
Rome, 2002

Table of Contents

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ISBN 92-5-104802-9

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FOREWORD

ABSTRACT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABBREVIATIONS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND

2 MOTIVATION FOR CARBON CYCLE OBSERVATIONS

3 THE IGOS CARBON CYCLE OBSERVATION THEME

Overview
Current status

Atmospheric observations
Terrestrial observations

4 CHALLENGES FOR CARBON CYCLE OBSERVATIONS

The concept
The Long-Term Continuity and Consistency Challenge

A. Terrestrial

Land cover and land use
Above and Below-Ground Biomass
Seasonal growth cycle
Fires
Solar radiation
Surface-atmosphere fluxes
Ecosystem productivity

B. Atmospheric

Long-term continuity
Calibration and accuracy
Expansion of the observing network
Improved measurements of atmospheric composition
Availability of transport and emissions data

The Knowledge Challenge

Terrestrial
Atmospheric

Organizational Challenge

5 DATA PRODUCTS, SERVICES, ARCHIVES AND ACCESS

6 AN INITIAL OBSERVING SYSTEM

Components
Implementation
Awareness and visibility

7 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

8 REFERENCES

APPENDIX

Appendix 1 Examples of terrestrial carbon information users
Appendix 2 Examples of existing providers of carbon cycle-related observations
Appendix 3 Status of satellite missions relevant to terrestrial carbon cycle observations*
Appendix 4 Theme team members

BACK COVER