The European Research Infrastructure ICOS
(Integrated Carbon Observation System)
Werner L. Kutsch,
Thünen Institut of Climate-Smart Agriculture, Braunschweig , Germany
from March on: Director General of ICOS RI, Helsinki, Finland
GEO X Summit,
Geneva
Werner
L. Kutsch
15. January 2014
Introduction and background
Climate changes caused by
the increase of greenhouse gases
represent a major challenge to mankind.
Precise, long-term and internationally comparable measurements are a key
factor in improving our knowledge of the complex interactions between
climate on the one hand and biosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere on
the other. They are the best investment for avoiding surprises and reducing
uncertainties about what tomorrow holds.
ICOS will provide these measurements.
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The vision and the scientific mission of ICOS
• fundamental understanding of carbon cycle,
greenhouse gas budgets and pertubations and
underlying processes,
• ability to predict future changes,
• verify the effectiveness of policies aiming to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
• technical and scientific innovation,
• education and capacity building.
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The vision of ICOS
All important parameters
State of the art techniques
Representative networks
Relevant data products
Optimum data streams
Long-term financial security
of all partners
A community to produce
higher level output
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The ICOS station network today
….and anticipated ICOS station network 2020
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ICOS atmospheric stations
and inverse modelling of CO2 fluxes
ICOS 23 stations Europe
ICOS 50 stations Europe
Kadygrov et al. EGU 2013
Uncertainty reduction on CO2 fluxes during the month of July 2007
red = CO2 flux is better constrained
[courtesy J.D. Paris]
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Carbon observations
Aircraft:
Vertical sampling
High accuracy
Multispecies
Ground based remote sensing:
Permanent monitoring
Good accuracy
Satellite calibration
Satellite remote sensing:
Vertical column, Global coverage
Poor - good accuracy
Masts, Tall towers:
Permanent
monitoring
High accuracy
Multispecies
FTIR
IAGOS
TCCON
CONTRAIL
Eddy covariance:
“Direct”
measurement of
local fluxes
ICOS
NEON
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Werner L. Kutsch
GOSAT
OCO-2
MERLIN (CH4)
…
ICOS
NOAA/GMD
[courtesy J.D. Paris]
Development of ICOS
R&D, design studies
ICOS ERIC
2014
European Research
Infrastructure Consortium
2001-2008
CarboEurope-IP,
CarboOcean-IP
Other research projects
National networks
Preparatory phase (EC-FP7)
2008-2013
EU funding
Transition
phase
Construction phase
2011-2016
National contributions
Operational phase
2015-…
[courtesy J.D. Paris]
Werner L. Kutsch
National contributions + EU funding
The structure of ICOS RI
ICOS council
ICOS ERIC
Greenhouse gas flux
assessments
International programs
Head office
Data from connex
projects and
international networks
Carbon Portal
Global Networks
GEOSS
Analytical Laboratory
Ecosystem
Thematic
Centre
Atmospheric
Thematic
Centre
Ocean
Thematic
Centre
Calibration
Sample
Analysis
Ecosystem
stations
Atmospheric
stations
Quality Control
Training
Sensors developed
Ocean
Ships
and stations
Ocean component into
ICOS under design
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European Level
The structure of ICOS (Germany as example)
Director General
Headoffice
7
6
6
2
5
6
Eco
ETC
MSA
Carbon
Portal
1
2
3
2
1
Oce
OTC
MSA
3
RI Committee
6
General
Assembly
6
2 1
6
6
National Level
3
Atm
ATC
MSA
Lab user
assembly
6
4
?
CRL
8
BMBF
11
Information
Coordination
Model application
National Competence Centre
8
Wissensch.
8
Versammlung
9
9
9
BMVBS
CAL
10
Lenkungsausschuss
(LA)
Wissensch.
Beirat
10
BMELV
BMU
Werner L. Kutsch Public
Other Users;
Other Funding
Organisations
Data
Administration
Money
Verification of policies to reduce GHG emissions
Sources: IPCC; Peters et al. 2012a; Le Quéré et al. 2012; CDIAC Data; Global Carbon Project 2012
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Verification of policies to reduce GHG emissions
Post-Kyoto agreement (2020)
Develop observing techniques
Establish baselines
Critical Verification Period
Robust verification, fine grid
Initial capability, ERIC (2014)
Fully operational (2020)
Future enhancements (2030…)
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ICOS and GEO (the good news)
 ICOS will provide long-term and highly accurate data on
atmospheric GHG concentrations, GHG fluxes between
ecosystems and the atmosphere, and between oceans and the
atmosphere and, thus, will contribute to a Global Carbon
Observation System
 ICOS data policy: in general open access and free.
 ICOS contributes to the Open E-Science Information Linking Model
 ICOS understands itself as a contribution to GEOSS.
 The ICOS community is very keen to develop higher level
products on European and Global GHG fluxes together
with other partners in GEO (e.g. remote sensing community)
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ICOS and GEO: an example
http://www.genesi-dec.eu/search/
 Ensuring interoperability
through GEOSS data
infrastructure will optimize
the discoverability,
accessibility and re-use of
data
 GENESI-DEC discovery
platform
 Here: collocating ICOS
and SCIAMACHY data
[courtesy J.D. Paris]
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ICOS contributions to GEO

Automatic, robust, timely in-situ GHG data provision by ICOS to
atmosphere and land services in Copernicus

Contribute to achievement of Task CL-02 Global Carbon Observation and
Analysis:
• Infrastructure (better data and enhanced interoperability)
• Science and technology (link with space)
• User engagement (network design, requirements)
• Contribute to the WMO Global Atmospheric Watch (GAW)

GEOSS Common Infrastructure: Enable brokerage solutions for ICOS data

Submit data to WMO WDCGG -> GEOSS Data CORE
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EC: an integrated C-contribution to GEO
ICOS contributions to GEO
Past
 FP5/FP6, CARBOEUROPE cluster, CarboAfrica, CarboOcean, others:
Experience put in place and/or enhance the EU carbon monitoring system;
improved knowledge of the European (and African) C-cycle.
 FP7, COCOS: coordinated European and global carbon relevant
Strategy initiatives; defined the GEO C-Strategy.
 FP7, ICOS Prep Phase: set up the infrastructure for a integrated and
Infrastructure standardized monitoring of C-cycle at global level, starting from Europe.
 FP7, GEOCARBON: global coordination toward the design and
Coordination development of an Operational Global Integrated Carbon
Observation and Analysis System.
Future
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Operation
Werner L. Kutsch
ICOS and GEO: gaps
 ICOS Carbon Portal is under construction (will become
operational 2014).
 ICOS has started internal and external discussions about:
• Metadata
• Digital object identifiers (doi) for data
• Data citation systems
 But there is no final conclusion yet.
 We are open to discussions on standards.
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ICOS and GEO
Thank you!
werner.kutsch@ti.bund.de
www.icos-infrastructure.eu
nadine.schneider@lsce.ipsl.fr
jdparis@lsce.ipsl.fr
www.icos-inwire.lsce.ipsl.fr
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