The study will be performed by the National Academy of Sciences, and will provide guidance to help design an Arctic land, atmosphere, and ocean observing network. The study committee will provide thoughts on the overarching philosophy and conceptual foundation for such an international network and, where possible, provide concrete advice to move the concept toward implementation. The committee will identify key variables, briefly review the purposes and extent of existing and planned global observing systems and platforms, highlighting critical spatial, temporal or disciplinary gaps of importance to the Arctic, and describe the infrastructure needed to create a comprehensive Arctic observing network. The committee will comment on how to ensure sound data management and recommend a technical strategy to ensure efficient, coordinated implementation and operation of an Arctic observing network in an international setting.
