*** 9727332 Spence The Joint Planning Office for the Global Climate Observing System (JPO/GCOS) will advance and promote coordination of planning for and development of the three major observing systems which support global change research -- the GCOS and the Global Ocean and Terrestrial Observing Systems (GOOS and GTOS) -- but especially the GTOS. The JPO/GCOS will base this coordination on its comprehensive approach to identifying (a) the scientific requirements for observations of the atmosphere, ocean, land surface, and cryosphere, using both in situ and space-based observing systems, and (b) the needs for and development of plans for a comprehensive data management system in support of the three observing systems. The JPO/GCOS will develop protocols to integrate data obtained from both networks; identify ecological sites for joint observations; identify river observing sites as an initial hydrological cycle observing system; develop demonstration/ pilot projects (possibly on soil carbon) to test the ability of the observing systems to make observations and deliver collected data rapidly and effectively; and promote further development of an integrated data management system for terrestrial observations. ***
