Sustainability gaps. It is very expensive to maintain Arctic stations. Some of the stations are only visited every 2nd or 3rd year, and there is a risk that all data from these stations will be unavailable for a longer period of time. Such stations are often in regions with poor coverage. There is also a fear that stations in data sparse regions will be closed because they are too expensive to maintain. The sustainability problem has recently been surveyed and documented by the Copernicus In Situ Coordination Component (Xxxx et al, 2019) showing fairly good sustainability of European meteorological in situ observations, but the present analysis displays concern for the Arctic observing system.
Sustainability gaps. The sustainability problem has recently been surveyed and documented by the Copernicus In Situ Coordination Component (Xxxx et al, 2019), showing severe sustainability problems European atmospheric composition in situ observations and this results is believed to be more pronounced in the Arctic.
Sustainability gaps. The data gaps identified in 4.3.2 are also partly due to lack of sustainability, due to changes in conditions of resources, organizations, policies and/or political decisions. These are identified as sustainability gaps. The sustainability is relatively higher if the monitoring component is mandatory in the national or international level such as tide gauge stations, Argo floats and national environment monitoring cruises. Project-based monitoring has less sustainability. The sustainability problem has recently been surveyed and documented by the Copernicus In Situ Coordination Component (Xxxx et al, 2019). The survey showed severe sustainability problems for European ocean in situ observations in general and the results are believed to be more pronounced in the Arctic area.
Sustainability gaps. Space agencies are a strong driver for airborne campaigns with the aim of collecting validation data for remote sensing products. The closure of Operation IceBridge will leave a gap in the delivery of in situ observations for validation of satellite products. IceBridge performs Arctic flight campaigns and collects data of annual change in thickness of sea-ice, glaciers and ice sheets. A continuation of Operation IceBridge would be very valuable, and it is recommended that EU should contribute to future flight campaigns.
Sustainability gaps o There is a lack of sustained funding for observations in general o Observing networks lack sustained funding for coordination or management of the network (staff, travel) o In-situ observations are based on infrastructures, mainly supported by national agencies and the number of observation sites or platforms may decrease due to: • Ageing of instruments/networks • Changes in scientific goals and priorities • Funding opportunities decreasing • Environmental effects (climate change, harsh environment) •
