GTN-H and GEO/GEOSS
GTN-H represents the observational arm of the Group on Earth Observations/Integrated Global Water Cycle Observations (GEO/IGWCO) theme. Given that the GTN-H is concerned with the establishment of a global hydrological observation network, the GTN-H has been an integral part of fulfilling the observational objectives of the IGWCO. This is especially true where the GTN-H is involved in products that:- enhance baseline or core hydrological data and thus improve our knowledge of hydrology;
- are designed to address specific science questions and ultimately provide reference
hydrological datasets for use in detecting climate change.
Specific areas in which the GTN-H could influence GEO through IGWCO include:
- Water Task WA-06-05: global in-situ water observations, including ocean observations,
advocate synergy and sharing of infrastructure among observing systems
- Water Task WA-07-02: operational mechanism to provide water level observations in
rivers, lakes/reservoirs and estuaries with combined satellite and in-situ observations
- The Hydrological Application and Runoff Network (HARON) project has been proposed to
fulfill both GEO water tasks, the project seeks to restore the existing network of
hydrological stations and the combination with remote-sensing data. The main
partners of HARON will be GEO Members and Participating Organizations, WMO/HWR, GCOS
and IGWCO. The Global Terrestrial Network – Hydrology will serve as a basis for
HARON.
- Water Task WA-07-01: water quality monitoring and assessment, both in-situ and remote-sensing.
GTN-H with its goal of providing products that result from the integration of existing
datasets, such as mapping of biogeochemical fluxes, is well suited to contribute to this
particular water task.