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A spatially explicit Global Reef Island Database (GRID) that captures distribution, diversity and relative vulnerability of the world's low-lying reef islands

Low-lying coral reef islands harbour a distinct, yet highly threatened biological and cultural diversity that is increasingly exposed to climate change impacts. The combination of low elevation, small size, sensitivity to changes in boundary conditions (sea level, waves and currents, locally generated sediment supply) and at some locations high population densities, is why low-lying reef islands (LRIs) are considered among the most vulnerable environments on Earth to climate change. To date, their global distribution and influence of climatic, oceanographic, and geologic setting are only poorly documented or restricted to smaller scales. Here, I present the first detailed global analysis of LRIs utilising freely available global datasets to produce a global reef island database (GRID) and associated intrinsic and extrinsic characteristics that can be used within a coastal vulnerability index (CVI). All datasets used to create the GRID were released between 30 November 2015 and 3 August 2023, while the current version of the GRID database was completed in November 2024. When developing the GRID, LRIs are defined as landmasses <30 km² located on or within 1 km of coral reef and with an elevation of <16 m. Development of the GRID required: 1) the creation of a global shoreline vector file containing the geographic distribution of LRIs and 2) the development of a comprehensive global database of LRIs including eight intrinsic and ten extrinsic variables extracted from global datasets. Intrinsic variables include: 1) human populations, 2) island area, 3) island perimeter, 4) mean elevation, 5) island circularity/shape, 6) underlying reef type, 7) geographic isolation and 8) distance to the nearest neighbouring reef island. Extrinsic variables include: 1) mean water depth, 2) standard deviation of mean water depth, 3) mean annual significant wave height, 4) mean annual wave period, 5) mean spring tidal range, 6) relative tidal range, 7) wave-tide regime, 8) relative wave exposure, 9) relative tropical storm exposure and 10) year-2100 projected median sea level rise rate. The GRID was initially derived from version 2.1 of the UNEP-WCMC Global Island Database, a global shoreline vector file based on geometry data from Open Street Map® (OSM) and released in November 2015. The initial vector file was projected using the Mollweide projection, an equal-area pseudo cylindrical map projection chosen for its accurate derivation of area, especially in regions close to the equator, where most LRIs are located. The final GRID contains 34,404 individual LRIs distributed throughout tropical regions of the world's oceans, amassing a total land area of nearly 11,000 km² with approximately 60,740 km of shoreline and housing around 2.6 million people. While intrinsic variables are typically spatially homogenous, LRIs are generally highly spatially clustered throughout the GRID with respect to extrinsic variables. The spatial distribution of LRIs within the GRID was validated using: 1) published data and 2) quantitative accuracy assessments using satellite imagery. Spatial distributions of LRIs captured in the GRID are extremely consistent with those published in the literature (r² = 0.96) and those derived from independent analysis of satellite imagery (r² = 0.94). Finally, the GRID was used to develop an island vulnerability index (IVI) for each LRI on a scale of 0-1 with 0 representing no vulnerability and 1 representing maximum vulnerability. The GRID database is provided as a tab-delimited text file as well as ESRI shapefiles (points and polygons in WGS84 and Mollweide projection) and a comma-separated value file.

Sentinel-5P TROPOMI - Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD), Level 3 - Global

Aerosol optical depth (AOD) as derived from TROPOMI observations. AOD describes the attenuation of the transmitted radiant power by the absence of aerosols. Attenuation can be caused by absorption and/or scattering. AOD is the primary parameter to evaluate the impact of aerosols on weather and climate. Daily AOD observations are binned onto a regular latitude-longitude grid. The TROPOMI instrument onboard the Copernicus SENTINEL-5 Precursor satellite is a nadir-viewing, imaging spectrometer that provides global measurements of atmospheric properties and constituents on a daily basis. It is contributing to monitoring air quality and climate, providing critical information to services and decision makers. The instrument uses passive remote sensing techniques by measuring the top of atmosphere solar radiation reflected by and radiated from the earth and its atmosphere. The four spectrometers of TROPOMI cover the ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS), Near Infra-Red (NIR) and Short Wavelength Infra-Red (SWIR) domains of the electromagnetic spectrum. The operational trace gas products generated at DLR on behave ESA are: Ozone (O3), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Formaldehyde (HCHO), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Methane (CH4), together with clouds and aerosol properties. This product is created in the scope of the project INPULS. It develops (a) innovative retrieval algorithms and processors for the generation of value-added products from the atmospheric Copernicus missions Sentinel-5 Precursor, Sentinel-4, and Sentinel-5, (b) cloud-based (re)processing systems, (c) improved data discovery and access technologies as well as server-side analytics for the users, and (d) data visualization services.

Sentinel-5P TROPOMI - Aerosol Single-Scattering Albedo (ASSA), Level 3 - Global

Aerosol single-scattering albedo (ASSA) as derived from TROPOMI observations. ASSA is a measure of how much light is scattered by aerosols compared to how much is absorbed. It is important for understanding the impact of aerosols on climate and radiative forcing. ASSA is unitless; a value of unity implies that extinction is completely due to scattering; conversely, a single-scattering albedo of zero implies that extinction is completely due to absorption. Daily ASSA observations are binned onto a regular latitude-longitude grid. The TROPOMI instrument onboard the Copernicus SENTINEL-5 Precursor satellite is a nadir-viewing, imaging spectrometer that provides global measurements of atmospheric properties and constituents on a daily basis. It is contributing to monitoring air quality and climate, providing critical information to services and decision makers. The instrument uses passive remote sensing techniques by measuring the top of atmosphere solar radiation reflected by and radiated from the earth and its atmosphere. The four spectrometers of TROPOMI cover the ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS), Near Infra-Red (NIR) and Short Wavelength Infra-Red (SWIR) domains of the electromagnetic spectrum. The operational trace gas products generated at DLR on behave ESA are: Ozone (O3), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulfur Dioxide (SO2), Formaldehyde (HCHO), Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Methane (CH4), together with clouds and aerosol properties. This product is created in the scope of the project INPULS. It develops (a) innovative retrieval algorithms and processors for the generation of value-added products from the atmospheric Copernicus missions Sentinel-5 Precursor, Sentinel-4, and Sentinel-5, (b) cloud-based (re)processing systems, (c) improved data discovery and access technologies as well as server-side analytics for the users, and (d) data visualization services.

Süßwasserflüsse über dem Ozean I - Verdunstungsflüsse (FreshOcean)

Die Veränderung des globalen Wasserkreislaufs durch den Klimawandel ist eine der größten Herausforderungen für die Gesellschaft, da trockene Regionen trockener und feuchte Regionen feuchter werden. Das Problem besteht darin, dass 85 % der Verdunstung und 77 % der Niederschläge über den Ozeanen stattfinden und der globale Wasserkreislauf aufgrund der schwierigen Beobachtungsbedingungen über den Ozeanen nur unzureichend verstanden wird. Der Austausch von Süßwasser zwischen dem Ozean und der Atmosphäre findet jedoch in einer obersten dünnen Schicht der Meeresoberfläche statt, den so genannten Oberflächenfilm. Die Verdunstung von Wasserdampf aus den Oberflächenfilmen erhöht deren Salzgehalt, während der Niederschlag den Salzgehalt in den Oberflächenfilmen verringert. Das Hauptziel dieses Forschungsprojekts ist ein umfassendes Verständnis der Dynamik und der Veränderungen des Salzgehalts und der damit zusammenhängenden thermischen Felder in den ozeanischen Oberflächenfilmen und der oberflächennahen Schicht (NSL) sowie deren Zusammenhang mit den verdunstenden Süßwasserflüssen zu erzielen. Einer der Hauptpunkte dieser Arbeit ist, dass Süsswasserflüsse (Verdunstung minus Niederschlag) direkt auf die Meeresoberfläche einwirkt und daher vorwiegend den Salzgehalt der Oberflächenfilme quasi-instant beeinflusst, während die derzeitigen Methoden, die den Salzgehalt der gemischten Schicht verwenden, sich auf dekadischen Skalen beziehen. Eine umfassende Reihe von Experimenten wird in einer großmaßstäblichen Mesokosmenanlage an der Universität Oldenburg durchgeführt, in der die treibenden Kräfte für die Verdunstung kontrolliert werden können (Wassertemperatur, Windgeschwindigkeit, turbulente Vermischung, Lufttemperatur und -feuchtigkeit). Im Mittelpunkt steht eine Expedition in den Mittelatlantik mit seinem hohen Oberflächensalzgehalt, d. h. Verdunstungsraten übersteigen die Niederschlagsraten. Während der Expedition kommt ein funkgesteuertes Katamaran zum Einsatz, der in der Lage ist, Oberflächenfilme zu sammeln. Die Beobachtungen werden durch Messungen von Bojen, schiffsbasierten Messungen und Satelliten unterstützt. Die Arbeiten ergänzen die laufenden Aktivitäten zur Untersuchung des Zusammenhangs zwischen dem Salzgehalt der Oberflächenfilme und den Niederschlägen. Diese Arbeit ist ein erster Schritt, um zu verstehen, wie der Salzgehalt der Oberflächenfilme und der oberflächennahe Salzgehalt verwendet werden können, um dynamische Süsswasserflüsse zu integrieren und Parametrisierungen zur Extrapolation von Süsswasserflüssen unter Verwendung von satellitengestützten Salzgehaltsdaten zu entwickeln.

Human influences on forests in southern Ethiopia: the case of Shashemane-Munessa-forest

Especially during the last decades, the natural forests of Ethiopia have been heavily disturbed by human activities. Some forests have been totally cleared and converted into fields for agricultural use, other suffered from different influences, such as heavy grazing and selective logging. The ongoing research in the Shashemane-Munessa-study area (Gu 406/8-1,2) showed clearly that, in spite of interdiction and control, forests continue to be cleared and degraded. However, it is not yet sufficiently known, how and why these processes are still going on. Growing population pressure and economic constraints for the people living in and around the forests contribute to the actual situation but allow no final answers to the complex situation. Concerning a sustainable management of the forests there is to no solid basis for recommendations from the socioeconomic and socio-cultural view. Therefore, a comprehensive analysis of the traditional needs and forms of forest use, including all forest products, is necessary. The objective of this project is, to achieve this basis by carrying out intensive field observations, the consultation of aerial photographs, satellite imagery and above all semi-structured interviews with the population in the study area in order to contribute to the recommendations for a sustainable use of the Munessa Shasemane forests.

Northern Eurasia Earth Science Partnership Initiative (NEESPI)

The Northern Eurasia Earth Science Partnership Initiative, or NEESPI, is a currently active, yet strategically evolving program of internationally-supported Earth systems science research, which has as its foci issues in northern Eurasia that are relevant to regional and Global scientific and decision-making communities (see NEESPI Mission Statement). This part of the globe is undergoing significant changes - particularly those changes associated with a rapidly warming climate in this region and with important changes in governmental structures since the early 1990s and their associated influences on land use and the environment across this broad expanse. How this carbon-rich, cold region component of the Earth system functions as a regional entity and interacts with and feeds back to the greater Global system is to a large extent unknown. Thus, the capability to predict future changes that may be expected to occur within this region and the consequences of those changes with any acceptable accuracy is currently uncertain. One of the reasons for this lack of regional Earth system understanding is the relative paucity of well-coordinated, multidisciplinary and integrating studies of the critical physical and biological systems. By establishing a large-scale, multidisciplinary program of funded research, NEESPI is aimed at developing an enhanced understanding of the interactions between the ecosystem, atmosphere, and human dynamics in northern Eurasia. Specifically, the NEESPI strives to understand how the land ecosystems and continental water dynamics in northern Eurasia interact with and alter the climatic system, biosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere of the Earth. The contemporaneous changes in climate and land use are impacting the biological, chemical, and physical functions of the northern Eurasia, but little data and fewer models are available that can be used to understand the current status of this expansive regional system, much less the influence of the northern Eurasia region on the Global climate. NEESPI seeks to secure the necessary financial and related institutional support from an international cadre of sponsors for developing a viable understanding of the functioning of northern Eurasia and the impacts of extant changes on the regional and Earth systems. Many types of ground and integrative (e.g., satellite; GIS) data will be needed and many models must be applied, adapted or developed for properly understanding the functioning of this cold and diverse regional system. Mechanisms for obtaining the requisite data sets and models and sharing them among the participating scientists are essential and require international and active governmental participation. (abridged text)

Genese und Ökofunktionen von Paläo- und rezenten Böden der westlichen Inneren Mongolei, NW-Chinas

Es sollen Paläo- und rezente Böden in den Becken- und Schwemmfächerbereichen des Gaxun Nur-Systems (Abb. 1) untersucht werden. Die Ziele dieser Untersuchungen sind: 1. Das Paläoklima zu rekonstruieren, 2. die Entwicklung und 3. die Ökofunktionen der Böden zu erfassen. Zur Rekonstruktion des Paläoklimas werden relikte sowie fossile Böden untersucht, die datierbar sind bzw. bekanntes Alter haben. Dabei werden vor allem Paläoböden von Wadi- und Strandterrassen bevorzugt untersucht. Die Verwitterungsart und Verwitterungsintensität dieser Böden sollen durch Geländearbeit, mineralogische und geochemische Untersuchungen sowie über Stoffbilanzen erfaßt werden. Ziel dieser Untersuchungen ist die Ableitung pedogener Klimaindikatoren.An rezenten Böden sollen 1. der Einfluß der hohen Kontinentalität auf bodenbildende Prozesse (Bioturbation, kryoklastische und chemische Verwitterung) und 2. Wichtige Ökofunktionen (z.B. Verdunstung, Grundwasserneubildung, Kapillarer Aufstieg, Versalzung) bestimmt werden. Mit Hilfe von Satellitenaufnahmen und geophysikalischen Methoden soll eine Regionalisierung der Daten erfolgen, so daß es möglich wird, für bestimmte Teilgebiete Boden. und Landeignungskarten sowie Karten über den Wasserhaushalt (z.B. Grundwasserneubildung, Kapillarer Aufstieg) und die Versalzungs- sowie Erosionsgefährdung zu erstellen.

Updated global compilation of coccolithophore calcification measurements from unperturbed water samples including ancillary data

This database expands the Poulton et al., 2018 (doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.888182) database of pelagic calcium carbonate (CP) rate measurements from isotopic tracer uptake in incubated discrete water samples, as discussed in Daniels et al., 2018 (doi:10.5194/essd-10-1859-2018), and accompanies Marsh et al. (in prep.). The database now includes more CP (new data n = 400; complete database n = 3165), net primary production rate (PP) (new data n = 399; complete database n = 3150), total coccolithophore cell counts (new data n = 240; complete database n = 1512), and Emiliania huxleyi cell counts (new data n = 27; complete database n = 612). This expanded database maintains the record of data, including the principal investigator, expedition, OS region, doi reference (where available), collection date and year, sample ID, latitude, longitude, sampling and light depth, and method of measuring CP. We further expand the Poulton et al. (2018) data collection by including ancillary and environmental data, including: optical depth (OD, n = 3165), pHtotal (hereinafter referred to as pHT, n = 398), temperature (n = 1160), salinity (n = 1161), and the concentrations of chlorophyll a (n = 1363), NOx (NO3 or the sum of NO3 + NO2, n = 1161), silicic acid (Si(OH)4, n= 1156), phosphate (PO4, n = 1232), dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC, n = 318), total alkalinity (TA, n = 307), bicarbonate ion concentration (n = 349), and carbonate ion concentration (n = 352). All data was matched to CP, sample bottle identifiers (Niskin bottle numbers), and/or sampling depth values. This global database (81 °N - 64 °S, 132 °E - 174 °W) now covers expeditions and upper ocean measurements (0 - 193 m) from 1989 to 2024. Global in-situ geolocated data spanning time is valuable for modelling, satellite algorithms, and capturing calcium carbonate production in the global ocean. This expanded database, including the environmental, nutrient, chlorophyll a, and carbonate chemistry data, also allows for analysis of factors influencing calcium carbonate production on a global scale. This data amalgamation contributes to understanding the biogeochemistry of the oceans, global carbon cycle, and ocean acidification.

Natural Forest Management in Caracarai, Roraima, Brazil

Objectives: Sustainable management of tropical moist forests through private forest owners will become increasingly important. Media report that in Brazil, particularly in Amazonia, approx. 80 percent of the timber harvested is from illegal sources. Private management of forests according to internationally acknowledged standards offers an opportunity to significantly lower the portion of illegally cut timber. Moreover, it contributes significantly to the conservation of the Amazon forest. Private forest owners show a clear long-term commitment towards the implementation of management standards according that is ecologically compatible, socially acceptable and economically viable. The project area, a pristine forest in legal Amazonia in the transition zone between moist tropical forests and savannas (cerrado), is extremely diverse in floristic and faunistic terms. The institute cooperates with the private forest owner. Main tasks are to document the faunistic and floristic diversity, to calculate the Annual Allowable Cut and to elaborate concepts for site-specific silviculture. Results: To date (Oct. 2006) the following activities were started: - a comprehensive inventory system for planning at the FMU-level has been successfully introduced; - the inventory system for the annual coupe area has been designed and data for the first coupe are being processed; - the annual allowable cut is currently calculated based on the results of the above described inventories; - two fauna surveys are completed; one focusing on large mammals and one on the avi-fauna. A long-term monitoring concept to assess the influence of forest management on the faunistic diversity is currently under development; - forest zoning is completed applying terrestrial surveys and interpreting high-resolution satellite images; - a study on the use of Bethollethia excelsa-fruits (Brazil nuts) is currently implemented; - a study on timber properties of lesser known species is currently implemented.

METOP GOME-2 - Ozone (O3) - Global

The Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment-2 (GOME-2) instrument continues the long-term monitoring of atmospheric trace gas constituents started with GOME / ERS-2 and SCIAMACHY / Envisat. Currently, there are three GOME-2 instruments operating on board EUMETSAT's Meteorological Operational satellites MetOp-A, -B, and -C, launched in October 2006, September 2012, and November 2018, respectively. GOME-2 can measure a range of atmospheric trace constituents, with the emphasis on global ozone distributions. Furthermore, cloud properties and intensities of ultraviolet radiation are retrieved. These data are crucial for monitoring the atmospheric composition and the detection of pollutants. DLR generates operational GOME-2 / MetOp level 2 products in the framework of EUMETSAT's Satellite Application Facility on Atmospheric Chemistry Monitoring (AC-SAF). GOME-2 near-real-time products are available already two hours after sensing. The operational ozone total column products are generated using the algorithm GDP (GOME Data Processor) version 4.x integrated into the UPAS (Universal Processor for UV / VIS Atmospheric Spectrometers) processor for generating level 2 trace gas and cloud products. The new improved DOAS-style (Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy) algorithm called GDOAS, was selected as the basis for GDP version 4.0 in the framework of an ESA ITT. GDP 4.x performs a DOAS fit for ozone slant column and effective temperature followed by an iterative AMF / VCD computation using a single wavelength. For more details please refer to relevant peer-review papers listed on the GOME and GOME-2 documentation pages: https://atmos.eoc.dlr.de/app/docs/

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