• STAR Home
•  > SOCD Road Map Index
•  > Roadmaps and Linkages

4.2 Links with Mission Goals and Programs

The strategies for each NOAA Mission Goal for achieving their objectives are identified in the NOAA's FY 2006 – FY 2011 strategic plan, "New Priorities for the 21 st Century – NOAA's Strategic Plan". The SOCD-relevant strategies are provided below. The SOCD-relevant research objectives of each NOAA Mission Goal, as listed in the NOAA's five-year (2005 – 2009) research plan (January, 2005), " Research in NOAA: Toward Understanding and Predicting Earth's Environment", are also listed below to demonstrate the alignment of SOCD science and technology efforts and plans with NOAA objectives. Existing and planned linkages with NOAA Mission Goal programs and activities are also described.

4.2.1 Ecosystems

The overarching objective of the Ecosystems Mission Goal is to protect, restore, and manage use of coastal and ocean resources through an ecosystem approach to management. The Ecosystem Mission Goal strategies include:

• Engage and collaborate with our partners to achieve regional objectives by delineating regional ecosystems, promoting partnerships at the ecosystem level, and implementing cooperative strategies to improve regional ecosystem health.
• Manage uses of ecosystems by applying scientifically sound observations, assessments, and research findings to ensure the sustainable use of resources and to balance competing uses of coastal and marine ecosystems.
• Improve resource management by advancing our understanding of ecosystems through better simulation and predictive models. Build and advance the capabilities of an ecological component of the NOAA global environmental observing system to monitor, assess, and predict national and regional ecosystem health, as well as to gather information consistent with established social and economic indicators.
• Develop coordinated regional and national outreach and education efforts to improve public understanding and involvement in stewardship of coastal and marine ecosystems.
• Engage in technological and scientific exchange with our domestic and international partners to protect, restore, and manage marine resources within and beyond the Nation's borders.

The following SOCD-relevant research priorities have been defined by the Ecosystem Mission Goal.

• Integrated Earth observing system and data management system
  • Define the time and space scales needed to capture the fundamental physical and biological drivers that are required for ecosystem forecasts and natural resource assessments.
  • Measure the natural scales of variability regarding physical- biological coupling, food web dynamics and ecosystem production in selected ecosystems.
  • Design and develop a comprehensive coral reef ecosystem monitoring program (Coral Reef Early Warning System).
  • Define observational needs to assess the impact of management decisions on fisheries and coastal and Great Lakes resources and habitat quality.
  • Develop and test new chemical and biological sensors for coastal and Great Lakes observing systems.
  • Develop parameters and indices of eutrophication, water quality, HABs, and contaminants (including pharmaceuticals and steroids) in coastal and marine ecosystems; provide trends in contaminant concentrations; and identify new anthropogenic contaminants.
• Assessments and forecasts of coastal and marine ecosystems
  • Develop forecasts for the ecological effects of varying weather patterns and extreme physical events.
  • Define the primary forcing factors and time and space scales that cause HABs and anoxia for selected coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes regions.
  • Define the primary forcing factors and time and space scales that affect water quality and quantity for selected coastal and Great Lakes regions.
  • Define the primary forcing factors and time and space scales that affect fish recruitment and fisheries production for selected coastal and Great Lakes regions.
  • Evaluate pelagic bycatch reduction technology and innovative TED Technology
  • Conduct environmental impact studies to establish baseline information for citing of commercial aquaculture activities.
  • Study aquatic biodiversity and how anthropogenic stresses, extreme environmental events, and climate influence population dynamics of coastal and marine ecosystems.
• Scenario development to support specific management actions and decisions
  • Research to improve our understanding of the factors affecting threatened species and the potential success of alternative remediation/management strategies.
  • Map habitat types (existing and restorable) and identify key habitat functions; evaluate the function / health of habitat.
  • Define and evaluate the value and economic/ecological costs/benefits of aquaculture for specific species in specific regions.
  • Create models coupling physical oceanography variability and biological effects on productivity, fish recruitment, and distribution.
  • Develop the next generation of multi-species fisheries and food web production models.
  • Develop environmentally sound production technologies for marine species.
  • Develop a NOAA-wide research plan for shallow coral ecosystems.
• Capacity building and effective knowledge transfer
  • Expand extension and education approaches to provide scientific information in advance of actions and regulations and to assist NOAA in fostering increased understanding and partnerships among fishers, conservation and environmental groups, coastal use community, and scientists.
  • Provide cost-benefit forecasts and risk analyses of management decisions and human use of coastal and Great Lakes ecosystems.

Return to top

Ecosystem Program Links

• Habitat: To be established.
• Corals: SOCD has extensive links with the Coral Reef Conservation Program, leading NESDIS's participation in this matrixed program and leading the program's Coral Reef Watch effort that monitors and assesses, amongst other factors, coral reef bleaching conditions through the use of satellite sea surface temperature data. Efforts are underway to incorporate satellite ocean surface wind, ocean color, sea- surface height, and insolation data to refine assessments. SOCD also is a major component in the developing Coral Reef Ecosystem Integrated Observing System (CREIOS), which is being planned as a component of the national IOOS.
• Coastal and Marine Resource Management: Specific links currently being refined. SOCD shares two billets with the NOS Coastal Services Center, supporting coastal zone management efforts.
• Protected Species: Specific linkages to be established. Sea surface temperature and ocean color (chlorophyll) products are provided to facilitate monitoring and avoidance of protected species, such as loggerhead and leatherback turtles, through reduced by-catch associated with swordfish and tuna fishing in the Pacific and mackerel fishing in the Atlantic. The application of satellite data to this issue is focused on efforts at the Central Pacific CoastWatch node.
• Fisheries Management: Specific linkages to be established. Sea-surface temperatures (SST) and sea-surface heights (SSH) provide the basis for CoastWatch's El Niño Watch that provides a current assessment of upwelling conditions along the West Coast of the U.S. The National Marine Fisheries Service has written the use of this specific operational oceanography product as guidance for designating whether El Nino conditions exist along the west coast of the US and the resulting imposition of restricted fishing areas.
• Aquaculture: To be established.
• Enforcement: Specific links to be established. SOCD provides satellite enforcement products to the U.S. Coast Guard and the Alaska Department of Fish and Game. SAR products for vessel location and ice edge are provided under the NESDIS Alaska SAR Demonstration. SAR imagery provides information on the fleet distribution and whether these observers are well distributed throughout the fleet, as well as for issues of safety. Sea-surface temperature operational products are supplied weekly to U.S. Coast Guard, First District, Fisheries Intelligence Branch, in the Atlantic in support of enforcement operations.
• Ecosystem observation systems: To be established.
• Ecosystem research: To be established.

Return to top

4.2.2 Climate

The guiding focus for the Climate Mission Goal is to understand climate variability and change to enhance Society's ability to plan and respond. Specific strategies include:

• Improve the quality and quantity of climate observations, analyses, interpretation, and archiving by maintaining a consistent climate record and by improving our ability to determine why changes are taking place.
• Improve the quantification and understanding of the forces bringing about climate change by examining relevant human-induced increases in atmospheric constituents.
• Advance sub-seasonal to inter-annual climate predictions and climate change projections by improving analysis of the climate system, using ensembles of multiple, high-end climate and Earth system models.
• Develop the ability to predict the consequences of climate change on ecosystems by monitoring changes in coastal and marine ecosystems, conducting research on climate-ecosystem linkages, and incorporating climate information into physical-biological models.
• Develop and contribute to routine state-of-the-science assessments of the climate system for informed decision-making.
• Work with customers in order to deliver climate services and information products involved in health, safety, environmental, economic, and community planning that increase the effective application of this information.
• Coordinate among NOAA Line Offices the transition from investigator- driven research projects to operational facilities, capabilities, and products.
• Support educational efforts to create a more climate-literate public by developing climate educational materials, involving teachers in the research process, and generating tools to allow climate information to be used in decision-making.

The following SOCD-relevant research priorities have been established by the Climate Mission goal.

• Develop an integrated global observation and data system for routine delivery and attribution of past and current state of the climate and climate forcing
  • Produce Climate Data Records
  • Report on state of knowledge of decadal variability, the monitoring ability for this, and potential decadal predictability
  • Routine reports on detection/attribution studies linking observing capabilities with model projections
  • Implement next generation reanalysis capability
  • Deploy prototype Arctic observing system for monitoring sea ice, heat content, freshwater, and ecosystem indicators with partners
  • Routine assessments of sea level rise and required observing capabilities
  • Establish Indian Ocean climate observing system
• Document and understand changes in climate forcing and feedbacks, thereby reducing uncertainty in climate projections
  • Produce regional oceanic and terrestrial carbon uptake maps
• Improve skill of climate predictions and projections and increase range of applicability for management and policy decisions
  • Develop dynamic understanding of decadal variability and predictability studies
  • Improved summertime forecasts with analyses of field-driven monsoon data
  • Develop multi-model based operational seasonal forecast system
  • Develop probabilistic predictions for week-2 extreme events
• Understand impacts of climate variability and change on marine ecosystems to improve management of marine ecosystems
  • Ten-year trends in coastal chlorophyll and assessments of climate influence
  • Track and improve the ability to forecast, the relationships among climate and variations in coral cover, bleaching, and anthropogenic impacts on coral reefs
  • Detailed models of coastal inundation and ecosystem change for specific areas for use by land use managers
• Enhance NOAA's operational decision support tools to provide climate services for national socio-economic benefits
  • Develop new experimental tools (including methods, models, and educational and outreach resources) that communicate climate information and deliver techniques for incorporating that information/analysis into specific decision scenarios.
  • Implement prototype decision support tool for water management linking historical, current, next season, and decadal outlooks
  • Identify key climate-sensitive issues at regional scales
  • Develop prototype methods for the application of climate information to practical challenges associated with natural resource management and hazard mitigation

Return to top

Climate Program Links

• Climate observations and analysis: Specific links to be established. Sea-surface temperature and sea-surface height data and, recently, ocean color data are employed to monitor ocean aspects of variability and climate change.
• Climate predictions and projections: Specific links to be established. Sea-surface temperature, sea-surface height, and ocean surface wind data contribute to climate modeling efforts. Ocean data assimilation efforts through the JCSDA have only just begun.
• Climate and ecosystems: Specific links are being established. Sea-surface temperature data are employed through the Coral Reef Watch effort and a new requirement for ocean color data to monitor phytoplankton has been stated for the monitoring of sentinel species.
• Regional decision support: Specific links to be established. OceanWatch efforts to establish climatological products will support this program.

Return to top

4.2.3 Weather and Water

The Weather and Water Mission Goal is tasked to serve Society's needs for weather and water information. Specific strategies include:

• Improve the reliability, lead-time, and effectiveness of weather and water information and services that predict changes in environmental conditions.
• Integrate an information enterprise that incorporates all stages from research to delivery, seeks better coordination of employee skills and training, and engages customers.
• Develop and infuse research results and new technologies more efficiently to improve products and services, streamline dissemination, and communicate vital information more effectively.
• Work with private industry, universities, and national and international agencies to create and leverage partnerships that foster more effective information services.
• Build a broad-based and coordinated education and outreach program by engaging individuals in continuous learning toward a greater understanding of the impacts of weather and water on their lives.
• Employ scientific and emerging technological capabilities to advance decision support services and educate stakeholders.

The following SOCD-relevant research priorities have been identified to support this effort.

• Improve the accuracy and capabilities of NOAA's monitoring and observing systems, both in situand remotely sensed
• Improve weather forecasts and warning accuracy and amount of lead time
• Advance data assimilation techniques; satellite, radar, ocean, hydrologic, and land surface assimilation
• Improve NOAA's understanding and forecast capability in coasts, estuaries, and oceans
• Development of a transition zone modeling system to integrate river, estuarine, and coastal models
• Develop and evaluate advanced ocean forecasting system for currents and ocean status

Return to top

Weather and Water Program Links

• Coasts, Estuaries, and Oceans (CEO): SOCD's Ocean Remote Sensing program is a major component of CEO; and SOCD provides the NESDIS leadership to this matrixed program. SOCD directly contributes research, development, and the transition of research to operations to the focus of this program on near-real-time operational observations and products. CEO provides a leading role in NOAA IOOS efforts, of which, SOCD is a principal contributor to NOAA's satellite component of the IOOS National Backbone. The NOAA CoastWatch program, an identified NOAA contribution to IOOS, as a part of SOCD's Ocean Remote Sensing program, consequently, is a component of CEO.
• Environmental Modeling: Specific links to be established. Ongoing coordination of near-real-time operational satellite ocean data assimilation with the JCSDA needs to be expanded to support ecosystem and climatological modeling efforts. SOCD science team links with the NESDIS/STAR Cooperative Research Program Division's (CORP) research efforts at the Cooperative Institute for Climate Studies (CICS) on the use of satellite ocean remote sensing, sea-surface temperature in particular, for ecosystem modeling in the Chesapeake Bay have led to a public web site with developmental analyses of the presence of specific noxious species, sea nettles in particular. Efforts are being pursued to extend this methodology to harmful algal blooms.
• Weather and Water Science, Technology, and Infusion Program: SOCD's principle link with this program is through the NPOESS Data Exploitation (NDE) effort. The NDE focus provides additional products for NOAA that the NPOESS contractor is not producing with NPOESS data. SOCD's role, as a fundamental component of NDE, is in developing algorithms to support the additional products, leading ocean data calibration and validation activities, and supporting the development and distribution of products. SOCD leads NDE's NOAA-unique ocean products effort, co-leads the calibration/validation effort, and contributes to the product distribution effort. SOCD also provides NDE oversight and leadership through membership on the NDE Management Board.

Return to top

4.2.4 Commerce and Transportation

• The Commerce and Transportation Mission Goal supports the Nation's commerce with information for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation. Specific strategies identified include:
• Expand and enhance advanced technology monitoring and observing systems, such as weather and oceanographic observations, ice forecasts and nowcasts, hydrographic surveys, and precise positioning coordinates, to provide accurate, up-to-date information.
• Develop and apply new technologies, methods, and models to increase the capabilities, efficiencies, and accuracy of transportation-related products and services.
• Develop and implement sophisticated assessment and prediction techniques, products, and services to support decisions on aviation, marine, and surface navigation efficiencies; coastal resource management; and transportation system management, operations, and planning.
• Build public understanding of the science and technology involved and the role of the environment in commerce and transportation through outreach, education, and industry collaboration.

The following SOCD-relevant research priorities have been identified.

• Reduce risks to life, health, and property within our Nation's transportation system
• Remote sensing sensor, data acquisition, and processing advances
• Issues that slow or stop movement of goods and people in the U.S. transportation system
• Develop the standardized Next Generation Operational Forecast System
• Develop methods to determine uncertainties for model forecasts
• Develop methodology to attain 1-cm geoid model accuracy
• Develop standards and protocols for weather-related electronic data exchange
• Validate methodologies for acquisition, processing, and dissemination of weather-related data
• Transfer research weather-observation prototypes into full operational use
• Real-time physical oceanographic data collection
• Hydrodynamic modeling
• Reduced risks and adverse environmental impacts from the U.S. transportation system
• Responding to spills in a manner that minimizes the impacts to biological, economic, and cultural resources.
• Assessing the impacts of both the spill and the response efforts on those resources.
• Restoring the impacted resources with the highest degree of efficiency and effectiveness.

Return to top

Commerce and Transportation Program Links:

• Marine Transportation Systems: Linkages with this program are predominately through SOCD support of the National Ice Center (NIC), whose activities are addressed by this program. SOCD provides the Chief Scientist for the NIC. Research and development activities and NIC support are explicitly captured in SOCD's Sea Ice Science Team roadmap.
• Marine Weather:
• Geodesy:
• NOAA Emergency Response:

Return to top

4.2.5 Mission Support

The Mission Support provides critical support for NOAA's mission. This mission includes the Satellite Services sub-goal, which includes nearly all of SOCD's activities. The SOCD-relevant mission goal strategies include:

• Provide timely and effective acquisition and delivery of satellite- derived information that supports requirements from the Mission Goals.
• Provide applied research to ensure the quality, reliability, and accuracy of current and future satellite products and services to support the Mission Goals.
• Guide the development of and coordinate NOAA's homeland security- related plans, programs, and policies to enhance NOAA-wide program response, risk management, continuity of operations, and other contingency planning and program infrastructure.

Return to top

Mission Support Program Links

• Geostationary Satellite Acquisition: Firm links have been established through two paths. SOCD will have lead responsibility for leading the ocean componentsof the GOES-R acquisition Algorithm Working Group, which has responsibility of working with the various sectors of the user community to select operational algorithms for the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) and the Hyperspectral Environmental Suite – Coastal Waters Imager (HES-CWI). Additionally, SOCD is a member of the Coastal Observations and Applications Science Team (COAST) for the HES-CWI, which comprises user community participation in helping define instrument criteria. SOCD also provides fundamental contributions for the GOES-R Risk Reduction (GOES-R 3) effort through algorithms, calibration, products, and validation work needed to provide early use of the satellite's data to maximize the value of the satellite's finite life.
• Polar Satellite Acquisition:
  • NPOESS acquisition program links have been predominately through intergovernmental studies supporting NPOESS risk reduction and participation on the NPOESS Operational Algorithm Teams, as well as involvement with calibration/validation forums. Principal NPOESS risk reduction efforts have centered on deriving microwave passive polarimetry ocean surface wind vector retrievals in anticipation of the CMIS instrument and the transition of the NASA MODIS Ocean Quality Assurance Browse Imagery Interface (MQABI) for calibration and validation of satellite data, initially focused on ocean color data. SOCD has the potential role of federal verification of NPOESS compliance with contract data/product accuracy and quality.
  • JASON-2 acquisition will provide operational ocean altimetry data for the first time. NOAA is the U.S. operational partner with EUMETSAT being the European operational partner and NASA and CNES being the launch partners. SOCD will provide data quality oversight for this new operational data stream. SOCD has begun the transition of altimetry quality assurance from NASA to NOAA, using JASON-1 data as the pathfinder.
  • IJPS is a partnership between NOAA and ESA, whereby, certain instruments from the current generation of NOAA POES satellite will be used by ESA and the joint system will provide operational data to both ESA and NOAA. SOCD is playing a critical role in establishing the sea-surface temperature algorithm and participating in instrument calibration and product validation efforts. There will be multiple operational satellites in the IJPS series.
  • Interferometric SAR (InSAR) initial planning links have been established for NASA's currently being designed satellite, proposed for launch in 2011. This satellite could satisfy many of NOAA's observational needs for ocean and hazard applications applicable to: tsunamis and coastal inundation, monitoring of earth deformation prior to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, high- resolution storm and coastal wind measurements, wave spectra measurements, flood and oil spill mapping, and serve as a prototype U.S. operational SAR satellite. The NASA mission is proposed for a FY 2007 start.
• Satellite Services
  • Operational GOES Support (GOES 12, 13, O, P): SOCD provides routine operational sea-surface temperature calibration, validation, and science support for the GOES Imager products in conjunction with the NESDIS Office of Satellite Data and Product Distribution (OSDPD). SOCD also develops new GOES SST products, including an effort to produce a blended GOES-POES "best- value" SST product.
  • Operational POES Support (NOAA-16, 17, 18, N´, and IJPS1, 2): SOCD provides routine operational sea- surface temperature maintenance, calibration, validation, and science support for the POES AVHRR products in conjunction with the NESDIS Office of Satellite Data and Product Distribution (OSDPD).
  • Developmental Satellites: NASA's role includes exploring space science and technology and through the implementation of developmental satellites. NOAA works in conjunction with NASA to create the best possible operational observation platforms. NOAA also works with NASA to research operational application of developmental satellite data and technology. SOCD develops algorithms for retrieving environmental parameters, as well as improving methodologies. Current examples of SOCD work with NASA developmental satellites includes incorporating QuikSCAT scatterometry ocean wind vector data into the NWS operational data stream, developing the operational retrieval algorithm for WindSat passive polarimetry ocean wind vectors, developing a TRMM SST product, supporting calibration and validation of the MODIS ocean color instrument, and providing the methodology for recovering altimetry data from the impaired GFO mission. Current and pending SOCD research efforts involve the following developmental satellites.
    • Earth Observing System (EOS) (Terra/Aqua) currently provides sea-surface temperature and ocean color data from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument. These developmental data are currently processed and distributed in near-real time via the NOAA CoastWatch program. MODIS is the heritage instrument for the future operational NPP/NPOESS VIIRS instrument.
    • OrbImage-2, a joint NASA-commercial effort, carries the Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS) ocean color instrument. Through arrangements with NASA and the Orbital Sciences Corporation SOCD's NOAA CoastWatch program processes and provides ocean color data and products for NOAA's operational use, in particular for NOAA's Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Bulletin. The data is also provided for other developmental ocean color applications associated with fisheries management and protected species.
    • TOPEX/Poseidon, a joint NASA-CNES effort, is near the end of its mission life, having provided foundation altimetry data that SOCD has helped provide for NOAA's use in operational numerical modeling data assimilation, as well as stand- alone efforts (Global Sea-Level Rise (GSLR), El Niño assessments, Ocean Surface Current Analysis Real-time (OSCAR), etc.).
    • Jason-1, again a joint NASA-CNES effort, continues the TOPEX/Poseidon exact repeat orbit, extending the length of the altimetry data record and supporting all of the activities initiated for the TOPEX/Poseidon mission.
    • GeoSat Follow-On (GFO) is a Department of Defense mission that SOCD saved through the development of work- around processes for failed primary and backup systems. SOCD continues to compile and distribute the definitive data sets for this mission.
    • QuikSCAT provides the SeaWinds scatterometer for the assessment of ocean surface vector winds. SOCD has been instrumental in evaluating the algorithms and data, working in conjunction with NCEP for the operational evaluation and integration of the data, and working to extend existing algorithms to better address retrievals in high wind speed conditions and in the presence of precipitation. Through SOCD leadership this data is now treated as operational data within NESDIS and the NWS. This data is also served to the public via NOAA CoastWatch.
    • InSAR is a future NASA satellite that will revolutionize ground displacement measurements. It will aid in the development of determining climate change, and detecting natural hazards.
    • Aquarius is a cooperative mission with The Argentine Commission on Space Activities (CONAE) to measure global sea surface salinity to resolve missing physical properties linking the hydrologic cycle and climate. Efforts will lead to producing more accurate forecasts for El Niño and ocean circulation models. SOCD will be establishing a new capability to explore a NOAA operational capacity for satellite sea-surface salinity data and products.
    • CryoSAT is an ESA radar altimetry mission designed to determine variations in ice sheet and ice cap thinning and glacial melting in an effort to predict changes due to global warming. It will also attempt to determine freeboard estimates of floating ice. CryoSAT will assess technologies for acquiring data useful for safe navigation and as input for more accurate ocean/ice models.
    • GRACE is NASA's Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment in a cooperative mission with Germany to obtain accurate and high-resolution, static and time-variable measurements of the Earth's gravity field. SOCD's SSH science team is developing a new global bathymetry product using gravity anomalies that correlate with variations in sea surface height reflecting ocean depth. Understanding the deep-water bathymetry determined from gravity models will aid in deriving a new ocean floor roughness product aimed at characterizing bottom controls on deep-ocean mixing for climate modeling purposes.
    • Advanced Land Observing Satellite (ALOS) includes the Japanese Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (PALSAR) which requires research and development of L-band corollaries to the current C-band SAR algorithms and products.
    • Oceansat-1, Indian Remote Sensing Satellite IRS-P4, is the first Indian Ocean Color polar satellite. The platform will carry an Ocean Color Monitor (OCM) and a Multi- frequency Scanning Microwave Radiometer (MSMR). OCM will collect data on chlorophyll concentration, detect and monitor phytoplankton blooms, and obtain data on atmospheric aerosols and suspended sediments in the water. MSMR will collect sea surface temperature, wind speed, cloud water content, and water vapor data. SOCD anticipates exploring the use of Oceansat-1 data for use in global products.
• Homeland Security: To be established.