Terrestrial Carbon Observation
The Rio de Janeiro recommendations for terrestrial and atmospheric measurements
The Integrated Global Observing Strategy Partnership (IGOS-P) is using specific policy-relevant themes as an approach to implementing systematic global observations, in November 1999, IGOS-P requested the Global Terrestrial Observing System, with FAO support, to lead the Terrestrial Carbon Cycle theme. In response to the request, the Terrestrial Carbon Theme Team was established to prepare this set of systematic, long-term terrestrial and atmospheric observations needed to implement an effective terrestrial carbon observation programme, highlights a number of challenges that need to be addressed, and outlines an approach to implementing an initial observing system. “Terrestrial carbon” refers to carbon contained in terrestrial vegetation or soil stocks and the fluxes from or to the atmosphere through which it participates in the global carbon cycle.
