Group Leaders: Mick Follows and Scott Doney
Objective: To provide a unifying framework for the overall JGOFS synthesis of the marine carbon cycle, up to and including the development of community ocean biogeochemical models.
Background: The overall synthesis of JGOFS SMP should provide:
Tasks: Over the next year, the working group will hold discussions primarily via email on the shape of the final synthesis and how best to attain it. The overall JGOFS legacy will include:
Community Synthesis and Modeling Working Group Report
PI Meeting 12-16 July 1999
Group Leaders: Mick Follows & Scott Doney
Objective: To provide a unifying framework for the overall JGOFS synthesis of the marine carbon cycle, up to and including the development of community ocean biogeochemical models. Discussion focussed around the schematic (Fig. 1) depicting the flow of information and products from JGOFS SMP, back to
(i) the scientific community (including JGOFS),The current state of activities in each category were discussed, and areas requiring new effort determined. The notion of a ``community model'' as one of the legacies of JGOFS SMP was also discussed.
(ii) funding and political agencies,
(iii) the general public.
1. JGOFS SMP CONTRIBUTIONS
1.1 SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY
1.1.1 Data
(a) Large scale survey, analysis and synthetic products.Data synthesis is ongoing for the major JGOFS observational programs (see other working group reports). Synthesized data sets are to be accessible through the JGOFS data bank, CDIAC and NODC. [*** Joanie and Scott, can you add anything here. This topic was brought out in the general sessions and seemed in hand, so we didn't discuss it further in the WG ***]
(b) Process studies.
(c) Time-series.
1.1.2 Model Products
The group discussed the availability and distribution of model products (input and output fields, code), falling largely into three categories:
(a) OCMIP Global Model Products. There is a need to coordinate the distribution to the wider community of the US OCMIP (Ocean Carbon Model Intercomparison Project) model products. Also, the wider community should be made more aware of the type of products that will emerge, and on what timescale. The US OCMIP groups will each provide a complete set of physical attributes of the models (velocities, temperature, salinity, mixing coefficients, etc...) as monthly means, for one annual cycle at steady state. In addition, selected model output (for data volume purposes) from the tracer and carbon cycle experiments will be supplied from each model. These include CFC11 and CFC12 simulations, abiotic and biotic pre-industrial and anthropogenic ocean carbon cycle simulations. Model products will be supplied to the JGOFS data base, to be available as outlined by the SMP Model-Data Policy. OCMIP packaging standards will be used.
Timescale: Physical output and CFC simulations should be distributable within the next few months. Other simulations will follow as the project progresses. Due to the potentially large volumes of output from even coarse resolution models, selected, pertinent variables and diagnostics will be available through the JGOFS data base. Investigators may distribute more complete model output on an individual basis. See Tasks.
(b) Non-OCMIP Models. The group suggests that other (i.e. non-OCMIP) model products from JGOFS investigators may be distributed using OCMIP conventions and tools, also via the JGOFS data base.
1.1.3 Publications
(a) Synthesis Book. The previous working group report suggested the possibility of a Cambridge type text book, with chapters overviewing areas of SMP. This is being undertaken as part of International JGOFS, and is not therefore a priority for US JGOFS SMP.
(b) Ocean carbon cycle overview article. SMP would benefit from a high profile, overview article concerning our current understanding and quantification of (ocean) carbon cycle in Science or Nature, reaching beyond the JGOFS community. The working group felt that such an article should come from the leadership of SMP (Scott or Jorge).
(c) Special journal issues. The continuing use of special journal issues was agreed upon. Scott Doney encouraged the possibility of a special issue of Global Biogeochem. Cycles, J. Geophys. Res. - Oceans, Deep-Sea Research, GRL, or similar, to produce a fast track, highlight for SMP science.
(d) Bibliography and preprint/reprint archive. An (electronic)
archive was suggested for all JGOFS funded, refereed publications.
1.2 AGENCIES
JGOFS SMP should collectively provide information to, and influence, funding agencies and program managers (NSF, NASA, NOAA, DOE...), policy makers, umbrella scientific organizations (AGU, ASLO, CORE), and infant and future scientific programs (e.g. SOLAS, Carbon and Climate). In particular, we should provide a community consensus of the outstanding scientific questions and issues that will need to be addressed beyond JGOFS. We should also highlight the advances that have been made through JGOFS. To this end, a document should be prepared specifically aimed at these targets and for these purposes. The document should be distributed to the above targets through, and with the approval of, the Steering Committee. Source material and recommendations should be drawn from the other working groups and SMP at large. See tasks.
1.3 GENERAL PUBLIC
SMP should enhance its role in disseminating information to the general public - the taxpayer. Two approaches were identified:
(a) Internet. The web is increasingly a source of information and educational material for schools, colleges and individuals. We encourage the broadening of the SMP web site to include a wider audience. This should include overview material, outlining the science issues and achievements in an accessible format. Also, a ``picture gallery'' of interesting ocean sections, data presentations and model products should be created (PMEL has a nice model for this). This will provide a useful resource for students projects and educators at high school and college levels.
(b) Popular Press. SMP should encourage, or generate popular press articles about the science of biogeochemistry. This provides feedback to the taxpayer, and stimulates interest in young, prospective scientists. The working group felt that these will follow naturally from high profile Science and Nature publications, but could also be generated from interested SMP parties.
2. COMMUNITY MODEL
The issue of a ``community model'' as a further, overarching legacy of JGOFS SMP to the scientific and policy making communities was discussed. Discussion suggested that there is not a clear consensus as yet on either the form or target of such a model (e.g. CME-type science community resource vs. policy makers tool). It was agreed that this should be a continuing topic of discussion for this working group.
3. WORKING GROUP TASKS
Members:
| Goran Brostrom | goran@ocean.mit.edu |
| Curtis Deutsch | cdeutsch@princeton.edu |
| Mary-Lynn Dickson | dickson@micmac.gso.uri.edu |
| Scott Doney | doney@ncar.ucar.edu |
| Mick Follows | mick@plume.mit.edu |
| Nicolas Gruber | gruber@splash.princeton.edu |
| Joan Kleypas | kleypas@ncar.ucar.edu |
| Keith Lindsay | klindsay@ncar.ucar.edu |
| Paul Quay | pdquay@u.washington.edu |
| Jia-Zhong Zhang | zhang@aoml.noaa.gov |
Community Synthesis and Modeling Working Group Report
PI Meeting 16-20 July 2001
The main emphasis of this working group meeting was to set a broad outline for documenting the legacy of the U.S. JGOFS SMP, and to recommend avenues for enhancing community outreach efforts. The following is an outline of those suggestions.
Scientific Synthesis
Several upcoming meetings can be used to highlight the collective efforts
of the SMP:
Community Model
There remains Interest in incorporating the various SMP efforts into
a state-of-the-art Community Biogeochemical Model, which could be coupled
to existing physical models.
Publications
The US JGOFS SMP would like to promote a variety of publications aimed
at a spectrum of audiences. This includes special issues, high-profile
synthesis papers, popular science articles, and perhaps a synthesis book,
or a textbook.
Special IssuesOutreach/EducationHigh-profile synthesis paper(s) (e.g. Reviews in Geophysics)
- 2nd SMP Special Issue (Spring 2002)
- 3rd SMP Special Issue (2003/2004)
- in this last special issue, emphasis will be more on "synthesis" papers
- the SMP PI meeting in 2003 may be the proper venue to plan/work on such synthesis papersPopular science articles (e.g. Scientific American, American Scientist, National Geographic)
Synthesis book or Textbook