1 Water Research Institute - National Research Council (IRSA-CNR)2 Ev-K2-CNR Committee

Current status and perspective Current status and perspective of CEOP-HE Initiativeof CEOP-HE Initiative

Gianni Tartari1,2,*

with the collaboration of

Elisa Vuillermoz2 , Beth Schommer2, Emanuela Manfredi2

Coordinated Energy and Water Cycle Observation Project (CEOP) 2nd Annual MeetingSeptember 15-17, 2008

Geneve, Switzerland

* Chair of CEOP-HE & President of Ev-K2-CNR Scientific Committee

Why high mountains/high elevations

Agenda 21 - UNCED, 1992 Agenda 21 - UNCED, 1992

““Mountains are fundamental sources of water, biodiversity, Mountains are fundamental sources of water, biodiversity, minerals, forests, agricultural production and tourismminerals, forests, agricultural production and tourism””

• Sensitive and fragile ecosystems Sensitive and fragile ecosystems

• Affected by different pressures driven by climate change Affected by different pressures driven by climate change (environmental environmental degradation, alteration of hydrological cycles, retreat of glaciers,…)degradation, alteration of hydrological cycles, retreat of glaciers,…)

• Early indicators of climate changeEarly indicators of climate change

• The knowledge of the state and trend of high elevation climate conditions is still The knowledge of the state and trend of high elevation climate conditions is still incompleteincomplete

• An integrated approach of observation, modeling and investigation of An integrated approach of observation, modeling and investigation of processes and processes and mechanisms regulating the energy and water budget at high elevations is an important mechanisms regulating the energy and water budget at high elevations is an important aspect for achieving GEWEX/CEOP’s goals. aspect for achieving GEWEX/CEOP’s goals.

Few mesurement sites are located in high elevations (remote areas, Few mesurement sites are located in high elevations (remote areas, complex topography, harsh climate conditions)complex topography, harsh climate conditions)

The 2nd CEOP Annual Meeting – 15/17 September, 2008, Geneva

Mountains and Mountain Forests

7.0 % of the world surface24.0 % of continental surfaceProjection: Lambert Azimuthal. Central Meridian -100. Reference Latitude 40.

Map: Edwards M., Kapos V., May I ., Ravilious C

Source: GTOPO30 and Forest Coverage Dataset

MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN

7.0 % of the World surface

24.0 % of Continental surface

> 2500 m a.sl.

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(%)

84% Mountainous Terrain(Excluding Antartica)

WHY

Hydrological significance of mountain ranges for the river basins

Viviroli, D. & R. Weingartner. 2004. The hydrological significance of mountains: from regional to global scale. Hydrology and Earth System Science, 8: 1016-1029.

WHY

The 2nd CEOP Annual Meeting – 15/17 September, 2008, Geneva

Definition of HE

“High Elevations” include areas such as:

• altitudes above the timberline, • high plateaus, • rough relief, • low atmospheric pressure, • low average temperature, • … and any sites that directly create or influence

regional climate patterns (e.g., high latitudes) etc.

To study multi-scale variability of water and energy cycles in high elevation areas, while improving

observations, modeling and data management.

Overall goal of CEOP:

To understand and predict continental to local-scale hydroclimates for hydrologic applications

WHAT

GOAL of HE

Specific OBJECTIVES: Specific OBJECTIVES:

1.1.Provide a mechanism for sharing and harmonizing data from high elevation monitoring Provide a mechanism for sharing and harmonizing data from high elevation monitoring stations and for facilitating dialogue amongst researchers concerned with these stations.stations and for facilitating dialogue amongst researchers concerned with these stations.

2.2.Promote long-term (10-20 year) monitoring of meteo-climatic parameters in high Promote long-term (10-20 year) monitoring of meteo-climatic parameters in high elevation areas and analyze environmental responses to global changes.elevation areas and analyze environmental responses to global changes.

3.3.Improve understanding of the influence of aerosols on the water cycle in high elevation Improve understanding of the influence of aerosols on the water cycle in high elevation areas.areas.

4.4. Improve hydro-climate forecasting capabilities at high elevations to optimize benefits to Improve hydro-climate forecasting capabilities at high elevations to optimize benefits to society, particularly in water resources management.society, particularly in water resources management.

The 2nd CEOP Annual Meeting – 15/17 September, 2008, Geneva

Status – Past activities

• March 2007, Washington GEWEX/CEOP Joint Planning Meeting: birth of HE

• September 2007, Bali meeting:

definition of actions for creation of HE Working Group (WG)

identification of Scientific Coordinator (Prof. K. Ueno)

identification of possible members of WG

• February 2008:

activation CEOP-HE Secretariat (Ev-K2-CNR Committee, Bergamo, Italy)

establisment of a Steering Committee of experts in high elevation studies

• April 2008: 1st HE Steering Committee meeting , Padua, Italy:

confirmation of goal and objectives

discussion on elaboration of HE Science Plan

• May/August 2008: collection of contributions for elaboration of Science Plan

• September 2008: HE at the 2nd CEOP Annual Meeting

The 2nd CEOP Annual Meeting – 15/17 September, 2008, Geneva

The 2nd CEOP Annual Meeting – 15/17 September, 2008, Geneva

CEOP High Elevations Steering Committee

Directions

The 2nd CEOP Annual Meeting – 15/17 September, 2008, Geneva

OBJECTIVE RESULTS

Climatic processes in high elevation areas analyzed

Local responses to global change understood

Cultural consensus regarding the long-term monitoring

Improve understanding of the influence of aerosols and other atmospheric

components on the water cycle in high elevation areas

Processes and mechanisms regulating the water budget, including the influence of aerosols and dust, studied.

Integrated hydrologic and meteo-climatic datasets

Synergies between meteorological-climate and hydrological studies explored

Contributions to the development of climatic models specific to high elevation areas made.

Sharing and harmonization of data collected at high elevation monitoring

stations and facilitating dialogue amongst the researchers

Network of global high elevation monitoring stations including CEOP Reference Sites

Archive of harmonized and quality data of HE stations made available to the scientific community.

Improve capabilities for hydro-climate forecasting at high elevations to benefit

the society.

Promote long-term hydroclimatic monitoring in HE areas to analyze the

local environmental responses to global changes

The 2nd CEOP Annual Meeting – 15/17 September, 2008, Geneva

Recommendations to CEOP

• Promote the installation of HE sites in poorly represented areas

• Contribute to the development of guidelines regarding installation procedures, long-term maintenance of CEOP-HE sites and data acquisition

• Support efforts of HE working group to garner sufficient funds for the activities proposed

The 2nd CEOP Annual Meeting – 15/17 September, 2008, Geneva

Contribution to CEOP-HE objectives byEv-K2-CNR Committee

• The CEOP-HE is strongly supported by National Research Council as a strategic component of the SHARE Project

• Future needs: new monitoring activities in remote areas and extreme elevations. The Ev-K2-CNR Committee will continue to provide technical and scientific expertise towards this goal.

The highest AWS in the world

Mt. Everest top 8848 mSouth Col 7925 m

AWS

http://www.share-everest.com/cms/

The 2nd CEOP Annual Meeting – 15/17 September, 2008, Geneva

South Col 7925 m

First data record 16/05-26/08/2008Preliminary Elaboration

Unpublished data

0

20

40

60

80

100

16-mag 23-mag 30-mag 06-giu 13-giu 20-giu 27-giu 04-lug 11-lug 18-lug 25-lug 01-ago 08-ago 15-ago 22-ago

Re

lati

ve

hu

mid

ity

0

10

20

30

40

50

Win

d s

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ed

RH (%)

W (m/s)

-25

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

16-mag 23-mag 30-mag 06-giu 13-giu 20-giu 27-giu 04-lug 11-lug 18-lug 25-lug 01-ago 08-ago 15-ago 22-ago

Te

mp

era

ture

375

380

385

390

Pre

ss

ure

T (°C)

P (hPa)

The 2nd CEOP Annual Meeting – 15/17 September, 2008, Geneva

CONCLUSIONS

High elevation regions are ideal sites for monitoring hydroclimatic conditions near or over the boundary layers and for the study of natural and anthropogenic aerosols

In the future CEOP-HE WG can play an important role in coordination of those initiatives aimed at understanding hydroclimate in high elevation areas, including:

• development of QA/QC protocols for monitoring of meteorological parameters• address the results of baseline observations from local to global scale • comparison of observations of trace gases and aerosols in the free troposphere from various sites around the world• ….

At this stage, we invite suggestions and observations from the CEOP Scientific Community to optimize our Science Plan and Implementation Strategy.

Thanks in advance.

Kala Patthar AWS 5600 m a.s.l.Data logger Elog (ELO305)Combined air temperature and humidity sensor (DMA572.1)Combined wind speed and direction sensor (DNA022)Global radiation sensor  (DPA153)Rain gauge sensor  (DQA030)

To be implement in autumn 2008Atmospheric pressure sensor (DQA250)

(DPA007) South Col AWS 8000 m aslData logger Elog (ELO305)Combined air temperature and humidity sensor (DMA572.1)Combined wind speed and direction sensor (DNA022)Global radiation sensor  (DPA153)High altitude atmospheric pressure sensor  (PTU300)UV-A radiation sensor (DPA007)