2nd Annual IOOS Implementation Conference

Enhancing IOOS Capabilities

Developing a Multi-Hazard Forecasting and Mitigation Observing System

For

Improving Predictions of Coastal Inundation and Mitigating Impacts on Coastal Communities, Ecosystems and Natural Resources

1. Consensus Recommendations of the Conferees

1.1 Coastal Inundation

Six break out groups were established (three per Working Group) to formulate recommendations for enhancements. The recommendations below are those made by all or most of the working groups. It was generally agreed that all observations should be made openly accessible in a manner consistent with IOOS DMAC guidelines, with minimal delay, and within a timeframe consistent with their use in the forecasting, mitigation, and planning activities. Those that are new and not articulated in the 1st Annual IOOS Development Planare indicated by “(NEW).”

1.1.1Observations

(1) Repeat measurements and timely post-inundation updates of near shore coastal bathymetry-topography (including shoreline position) and benthic-land cover (habitats (e.g., sea grass beds, tidal wetlands, forests, grassland) and use (e.g., dredging, bottom trawling, infrastructure, impervious surfaces) (1-5 years) – especially in high risk areas.

(2) Increase density of rainfall, atmospheric moisture profiles and soil moisture measurements (NEW).

(3) Increase stream gauge (continuous, real-time telemetry) coverage in the coastal zone, including near head and mouth of rivers for more accurate estimates of land-based inputs (run-out) of freshwater, sediments, nutrients and pollutants on seasonal scales and during post-storm runoff.

(4) Repeat high resolution bathymetry across the EEZ (beyond 3 miles) (10 – 20 years) (NEW).

(5) Increase real-time spatial and temporal resolution wind fields over water, surface current fields, directional wave fields, and sea surface salinity distributions (EEZ).

(6) Optimize the tide gauge network to increase density of real-time measurements in high risk areas.

(7) Deploy DART buoys for all coasts and to record a directional tsunami (higher spatial resolution of real-time, bottom pressure and upper ocean measurements, e.g., Deep Ocean Assessment and Reporting of Tsunamis (DART) buoys) (ocean basin scale).

(8) Augment the DART buoy array with improved near surface technologies for open ocean wave height measurements (e.g. Real Time Kinematic (RTK) GPS Systems) (NEW).

1.1.2 Modeling

Establish an inundation modeling testbed for improving existing and developing new models with an emphasis on:

  • coupled wind, tide, river flow, rainfall, surface current, wave, water level models with data assimilation for more accurate forecasts of impacts (surge, time-space magnitude of inundation, run out/runoff; transport of debris, sediments, nutrients and pollutants); and
  • more rigorous calibration and validation procedures.

1.1.3 Products

Maintain up-to-date coastal inundation maps for emergency planning (including shoreline position and near shore (e.g. – 30 m to + 30 m bathy-topographic maps);Toolbox of products available to managers, user-oriented products (including producttraining and performance feedback; daily forecasts updated hourly andreal-time transmission of surge and inundation maps to managers).

1.2 DMAC

Three parallel subgroups discussed (a) DMAC standards process recommended by the inter-agency, community-based DMAC Steering Team, (b) updates to the short-term DMAC guidance for IOOS data providers developed by the DMAC Steering Team, (c) recommendations for improving access to data in support of a multi-hazard forecasting and mitigation system in the near-term (section 1.1 above).

Reports from the DMAC subgroups were presented in plenary to the Conferees, who provided the consensus recommendations described below. Many of these recommendations were also identified during the 1st Annual IOOS Development Conference. The recommendations from this year’s Conference marked as “NEW” are either significant expansions from last year, or new ideas. The Conferees exhibited a clear understanding of (a) the need for broad community involvement in the DMAC standards process, (b) the underlying complex challenges being faced, and (c) the sense of urgency in moving DMAC forward. This renewed sense of urgency was driven by the conferees’ recognition of the expanding disparity between the rapidly increasing investment in existing and emerging observing systems, and the lack of needed, complementary investments in interoperability-enabling DMAC standards process. The following recommendations reflect this sense of urgency:

1.2.1 Fully implement the DMAC standards identification oversight process as recommended by the DMAC Steering Team and outlined in the IOOS and DMAC Plans.

1.2.2 Implement key supporting elements of the process recommended by the DMAC Steering Team to establish a community-based DMAC Expert Technical teams (Expert Teams).

  • The process should include community forums to engage the IOOS community (NEW).

1.2.3 Establishment of the following DMAC Expert teams were endorsed:

  • DMAC Standards Process - to improve the sharing and feedback of information regarding the status of current DMAC standards, ongoing activities, lessons learned, and proposed new standards.(NEW)
  • Metadata and Data Discovery;
  • Data Transport and Access;
  • Archive;
  • IOOS and DMAC Systems Engineering;
  • IT Security (NEW); and,
  • Quality Control and Assurance. (NEW)

1.2.4 Community Engagement Caucuses provide needed outreach and feedback mechanisms to key constituency groups with whom IOOS DMAC must engage. To this end, Community Engagement Caucuses were endorsed as follows:

  • Private Sector Caucus, with the intent to enfranchise the private sector within IOOS, especially with regard to interoperable standards and improved access to IOOS data that might support development of value-added products by the private sector. (NEW)
  • International Caucus, with the intent to fully engage those international programs and activities within which IOOS will operate (e.g., WMO-IOC JCOMM, GEOSS, etc.). (NEW)
  • Modeling Caucus, with the intent to improve access and distribution of model products. (NEW)

1.2.5 The present under-investment in technical support services for the DMAC Standards Oversight Process must be corrected to enable timely identification, review and publication of IOOS DMAC interoperability standards (including the necessary technical documentation). (NEW)

  • DMAC Test Beds should be established to enable successful identification, testing, and community acceptance of IOOS DMAC standards.

1.2.6 Support IOOS DMAC investment in the emerging IOOS Regional Associations.

1.2.7 Complete the ongoing IOOS Systems Engineering analysis, especially those aspects that address interoperability among the federal backbone, Regional Associations, U.S. IEOS, GOOS and GEOSS components. (NEW)

1.2.8 IOOS consists of three closely linked components (observations, data management, and analysis that link modeling to observations). The Ocean.US DMAC initiative is planned and implemented by a Steering Team and an interagency Implementing body. A parallel effort is needed for linking observations to models.

1.3 Education

Three breakout groups were convened to establish priorities for education and public awareness initiatives (outlined in the IOOS Development Plan) and a stepwise approach to develop a national education and public awareness network that supports and implements the priority initiatives. Although each breakout group considered different topics, many recommendations were made by more than one group. Thoserecommendations appear below in priority order.

1.3.1 National Coordinating Office for Education and Public Awareness

Establish a National Coordinating Office for IOOS Education and Public Awareness to work with Regional Associations to facilitate sharing among regions and other networks. Basic principals for formation, operation and support of the coordination office and the network as a whole were outlined:

  • Do not reinvent the wheel! Use existing education networks where possible. Differentregions have different needs and different potential network participants; consequently the network is likely to be slightly different in each region.
  • A National Coordinating Office facilitates sharing between regions and serves as the focal point for connection of IOOS allied education with other networks. Sharing and coordination should a) address compilation of an inventory of efforts, b) research on effectiveness of educational products and services leading to a suite of education best practices, and c) test beds in a number of areas including, assessment and evaluation strategies and product design.
  • Each Regional Association should have staff with education, extension and communications expertise. a) Recognize that each of these areas is a professional discipline requiring unique skills and abilities and that the efforts in these 3 areas should be tightly coupled within a region and across IOOS. b) Focus on using IOOS data, products and integration of these with other data in learning, consistent with IOOS integration principals and the role of IOOS in GEOSS.
  • Mechanisms to “blend/link” education networks in each region should be developed with an initial focus on participation of COSEE, NEERS (education and coastal training program), and SeaGrant (education and extension) network members, followed by engagement of NMSP, GLOBE, and EPA networks (e.g., NEP). Over the long-term engage other Earth system science and environmental education networks.
  • Formalize connections between organizations, especially networks, as a means to encourage collaboration. Efforts to build community among personnel of functional areas within IOOS (e.g., education and data management), geographic regions, and education networks (e.g., COSEE, NERRS, SeaGrant, NMSP, GLOBE, etc.) should be encouraged and supported through workshops, travel support and co-location of personnel.
  • Development of the national coordinating office and regional sites from existing capabilities requires new investments in coordination and integration at national and regional levels to be successful.

1.3.2 Participate in Governance of IOOS

Education should possess full membership in IOOS governance.

  • Education should have a chair-at-the-table in the NFRA governance and in each Regional Association. Education should be part of the initial development of the Regional Association and part of the business plan.
  • All regions should have an education council comprised of stakeholders, regional education, extension, communications, and data management experts, and other network representatives, as appropriate.
  • There should be regional representation in the National Coordinating Office.
  • The National Planning effort should have a guidance structure like DMAC’s. Two committees should be formed: one comprised of Regional Association and national experts in education, extension and communications, and the other, comprised of appropriate federal program managers for education, extension and communications.

1.3.3 Formalize Interagency Collaboration (NEW)

Interagency collaboration in education, extension and communication should be formalized.

  • The formalization should be consistent with the Ocean Action Plan and with the developing OSTP framework.
  • Form an interagency working group with an interagency Education Program Office linked to the organizational structure in the Ocean Action Plan should.

1.3.4 Participate in IOOS Planning

The education network allied with IOOS (see 1.3.1 above) should engage in IOOS planning at multiple levels and time scales.

  • An IOOS National Education Strategy[1] should be updated every 5 years. An IOOS Education Action Plan based on the 1st Annual IOOS Development Plan should be created and updated annually to reflect adjustments in priorities and funds. The results of the action plan should be assessed formally.
  • Education should participate in DMAC planning and DMAC in education planning to ensure that data management planning effectively addresses the needs of education. Education planning should have guidance structures like for DMAC (see 1.2.2 Bullet 4 above).
  • Develop education key messages and themes with regional ones nested within national ones based on the seven IOOS societal goals incorporating the developing Ocean Literacy Guidelines as appropriate. Use these messages and themes in all IOOS allied education endeavors.
  • Carry-out Needs Assessments for the workforce allied with IOOS and for the public’s understanding of the oceans role in their lives (via the seven IOOS societal goals). In other areas, review recent needs assessments to identify gaps: a) use known needs to guide IOOS education, extension and communications planning, development and implementation; b) use pilot projects/test beds to inform planning and implementation in areas where best practices do not exist.

1.3.5 Design Learning Materials to Meet Regional Needs Within the IOOS National Framework

Learning materials should be targeted to specific audiences and designed to meet regional needs with a simple mechanism for modification/extension/expansion to other IOOS regions.

  • Utilize key messages and themes (see 1.3.4 Bullet 3 above) to unite learning materials for various audiences and regions.
  • Provide suite of related materials for different audiences and regions: a) design and develop regional versions of data products such as visualizations; incorporate into learning materials; b) craft learning materials (education product) to target specific audiences (e.g., undergraduates, K-12 classrooms, local decision makers, tourists, boaters (recreational, charter, commercial), etc.); tailor those materials to regional differences in audience need and practices, and in the key messages and themes.
  • Strive for products that a) are broadly useful, b) are developed to address a specific audience need, c) incorporate practices of target audience(s), d) consider multi-cultural needs and concerns, and e) use best practices from education research to guide product development process.

1.3.6 Carry-out Education Research Focused on Best Practices (NEW)

  • Evaluate and assess effectiveness of education efforts and practices (see also 1.2.1 bullet 1 above).
  • Identify, disseminate, and foster usage of educational practices that are highly effective.

2. Implementing the 1st Annual IOOS Development Plan

The recommendations summarized above map directly to the 1st Annual Plan and provide guidelines for prioritized, phased implementation of elements of that plan as indicated below.

2.1 Coastal Inundation

2.1.1 Repeat bathy-topographic/benthic-land cover surveys (1)

Enhancements to in situ observations and remote sensing are recommended in Part III, Section 3.2.7. Key pilot projects recommended in Part III (Sections 6.2.1 and 6.2.2) are:

  • Surface Current Mapping;
  • Coastal Erosion, Sediment Transport and Shoreline Position; and
  • Benthic Habitat Mapping Across the EEZ.

2.1.2 Land-based inputs of freshwater, sediments, nutrients, and contaminants (3)

Enhancements to in situ observations and remote sensing are recommended in Part III, Section 3.2.6.

2.1.3 Sea level, tides, wind, current, wave, SSS fields (EEZ); DART

Buoys (5, 6, and 7)

Enhancements to in situ observations and remote sensing are recommended in Part III, Sections 3.2.1 and 3.2.2. Pilot projects for developing remote sensing capabilities for coastal marine systems are also recommended.

2.2 DMAC

The recommended actions outlined above for DMAC map well onto the 1st IOOS Implementation Conference consensus recommendations and resulting IOOS Development Plan dealing with DMAC interoperability standards oversight, DMAC interoperability infrastructure, and DMAC test beds.

2.2.1 DMAC interoperability standards oversight, the following recommendation were made:

  • Support the DMAC Steering Team functions and activities.
  • Implement immediately the critical path DMAC Expert Teams.
  • Establish and support the DMAC Community Engagement Caucuses.
  • Provide for needed technical support contract services for the DMAC standards process.
  • Invest in regional DMAC activities.
  • Establish appropriate counterparts to national DMAC Steering Team at the regional level.

2.2.2 DMAC Interoperability Infrastructure

  • Complete ongoing IOOS DMAC systems engineering effort

2.2.3 DMAC Test Beds

  • Identify, implement and support community test beds to evaluate candidate DMAC standards. This approach enables an incremental process for standards identification, supports both long-term and short-tem needs for DMAC standards, fosters community “buy-in”, and provides an opportunity for private sector participation.

2.3 Education

2.3.1National Coordinating Office for Education and Public Awareness

Formation of a National Coordinating Office for IOOS allied education and public awareness is recommended in Part III, Section 7.1; Figure 5 Step 1.

2.3.2 Participate in Governance of IOOS

Participation of the IOOS education, extension and communications community in the governance of IOOS is recommended in Part III, Section 7.1; Figure 5 Step 1 (see IOOS-COOS and Education Workshop Report Figure 2 for the details of the recommendations that are incorporated into Part III, Figure 5 Step 1).

2.3.3 Participate in IOOS Planning

Participation of the IOOS education, extension and communications community in the planning of IOOS is recommended in Part III, Section 7.1; Figure 5 Step 1.

2.3.4 Design Learning Materials to Meet Regional Needs Within the IOOS National Framework

The design of learning materials targeted to specific audiences and regions within the framework of the IOOS seven societal goals is recommended in Part III, Section 7.2; Figure 5 Step 2.

1

[1]See 1st Annual IOOS Development Plan and the IOOS/COOS and education workshop report: Promoting Lifelong Ocean Education: Using the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) to Shape Tomorrow’s Earth Stewards and the Science and Technology Workforce)