Boundary Ocean Observation Network for the Global South

Abstract

The UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development should establish a Boundary Ocean Observing Network (BOON) for the Global South (GS). The BOON is part of the OceanGlider Program, which is part of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). The BOON is a network of established timeseries transects collecting long-term data sets. Timeseries are critical for making immediate operational decisions and for identifying long-term trends of anthropogenic global environmental change. The network has proven important enough to continue observations and expand them. Due to resource and expertise limitations, expanded locations are in similar locations. The UN should build on this success and establish a BOON for the Global South. The same benefits will be garnered by countries and regions that have been missing out. Increased observation coverage will benefit humanity, improving understanding of the Ocean-Climate System, e.g. leading to improved climate prediction models. The UN will facilitate activities to realize a BOON for the Global South including: coordinating local scientists, partnering scientific and technical experts with local scientists, identifying new affordable and easy-to-operate technologies, channeling funds for initial and ongoing costs, and building a framework to continue the BOON-GS long after the Ocean Science Decade.

Best practices for operating underwater gliders in Atlantic Canada

“…The added resolution and frequency of glider deployments can help resolve mesoscale processes across boundary currents and supplement observations, particularly where and when ships are unavailable. These added observations benefit improved understanding of the ocean climate system and improved climate prediction models (Ordoñez et al, 2021). These locations were chosen for both scientific and logistical reasons.…”