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Space‐Based Observations for Understanding Changes in the Arctic‐Boreal Zone
Author(s) -
Duncan Bryan N.,
Ott Lesley E.,
Abshire James B.,
Brucker Ludovic,
Carroll Mark L.,
Carton James,
Comiso Josefino C.,
Dinnat Emmanuel P.,
Forbes Bruce C.,
Gonsamo Alemu,
Gregg Watson W.,
Hall Dorothy K.,
Ialongo Iolanda,
Jandt Randi,
Kahn Ralph A.,
Karpechko Alexey,
Kawa Stephan R.,
Kato Seiji,
Kumpula Timo,
Kyrölä Erkki,
Loboda Tatiana V.,
McDonald Kyle C.,
Montesano Paul M.,
Nassar Ray,
Neigh Christopher S.R.,
Parkinson Claire L.,
Poulter Benjamin,
Pulliainen Jouni,
Rautiainen Kimmo,
Rogers Brendan M.,
Rousseaux Cecile S.,
Soja Amber J.,
Steiner Nicholas,
Tamminen Johanna,
Taylor Patrick C.,
Tzortziou Maria A.,
Virta Henrik,
Wang James S.,
Watts Jennifer D.,
Winker David M.,
Wu Dong L.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
reviews of geophysics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 8.087
H-Index - 156
eISSN - 1944-9208
pISSN - 8755-1209
DOI - 10.1029/2019rg000652
Subject(s) - hydrosphere , biosphere , cryosphere , environmental science , process (computing) , climate change , arctic , earth system science , computer science , environmental resource management , earth science , remote sensing , climatology , geology , ecology , oceanography , sea ice , biology , operating system
Observations taken over the last few decades indicate that dramatic changes are occurring in the Arctic‐Boreal Zone (ABZ), which are having significant impacts on ABZ inhabitants, infrastructure, flora and fauna, and economies. While suitable for detecting overall change, the current capability is inadequate for systematic monitoring and for improving process‐based and large‐scale understanding of the integrated components of the ABZ, which includes the cryosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere. Such knowledge will lead to improvements in Earth system models, enabling more accurate prediction of future changes and development of informed adaptation and mitigation strategies. In this article, we review the strengths and limitations of current space‐based observational capabilities for several important ABZ components and make recommendations for improving upon these current capabilities. We recommend an interdisciplinary and stepwise approach to develop a comprehensive ABZ Observing Network (ABZ‐ON), beginning with an initial focus on observing networks designed to gain process‐based understanding for individual ABZ components and systems that can then serve as the building blocks for a comprehensive ABZ‐ON.