Global Observation Networks and Essential Ocean Variables

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Context

There is an increasing need for data in order to evaluate the performance of management actions and develop meaningful policy directions, such as those identified in the SDG Goals and Global Biodiversity Framework. In addition, there has been a concurrent increase in the capability for generating, managing and using global datasets, leading to the growth of international processes supporting global monitoring of terrestrial, atmospheric and ocean systems.

As part of this course, the skills for standardising and managing data contribute directly towards the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN), which is one of the principle global data used to evaluate regional and global societal and biodiversity goals for coral reef habitats.

This wiki page aims to provide examples of global observing networks as background to the variables and data standards that have been developed for coastal and ocean ecosystems.

Examples of Global Observation Networks

There are a number of collective efforts of interdisciplinary teams to evaluate the state of earth and ocean ecosystems, including:

• The World Ocean Assessment has completed its 2nd assessment and notes the absence of global ocean datasets and monitoring systems.
• The Group on Earth Observations and Future Earth initiative have as their mandates to support planetary scale earth observations and science
• The Global Ocean Observing System encompasses in situ networks, satellite systems and multiple governments and institutions for ocean observations.
• The marine node MBON of the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network is aimed at improving the acquisition, coordination and delivery of biodiversity observations to decision makers, users, and the scientific community.
• The Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) is an operational network of the International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) and encompasses 10 regional nodes to provide scientific information on the status and trends of coral reef ecosystems for conservation and management throughout the world.

Working groups under both GOOS and GEOBON are charged with supporting these processes for ocean and marine biodiversity, respectively, while the GCRMN has operated as the de facto global coral reef biodiversity observing system since 1999. The GCRMN Implementation and Governance Plan aligns to elements from GOOS and GEOBON to ensure a single system meets the needs and objectives of other global initiatives to avoid duplication and maximise returns from investment in global observation networks.

Why monitor coral reefs?

There is considerable empirical evidence that links coral reefs to ecosystem services and economic benefits that sustain human societies and are thus an important indicator system for sustainable development. As the degradation of coral reef ecosystems is taking place at regional and global levels, a globally coherent observation is required to understand the extent and rate of change in ecosystem health and how it relates to multiple societal goals.

By reporting on the status and trends of coral reefs, the GCRMN provides guidance on data standards and approaches for aggregating and reporting data. This is to maximise the value of observational data through increased ability to share and provide consistent logical framework to complement with other data. The broad distribution of coral reefs means a common global framework for monitoring is needed to reliably measure the state of coral reefs at regional and global scales.

In doing so, the GCRMN provides a means to address local, national and regional needs for monitoring reefs, including guidance and supporting best practice.

Next Steps

To learn about the GCRMN Implementation and Governance Plan go to the next page here.