IOCCP recognizes the modelling community as an important stakeholder in sustained ocean observations. By opening this new theme in its portfolio of coordination and communication activities, IOCCP has committed to support international efforts to strengthen the interface between marine biogeochemistry observations and modelling. This theme supports a number of our Terms of Reference, including to "facilitate a dialogue with stakeholders to implement a scientifically and economically effective, fit-for-purpose observing system for ocean carbon and biogeochemistry" and to "promote the integration of ocean carbon and biogeochemistry information into research and assessments."

Better integration of biogeochemical models and observations

There is a need for better integration of biogeochemical models and observations. IOCCP will support ongoing and propose new activities leading to enhanced and optimized usage of remote sensing products and global in situ observations of biogeochemical EOVs in global and basin-scale biogeochemistry modeling. In order for the modelling community to move beyond statistical evaluation of models with data, one must consider the following questions: 

• How to use in situ observations to improve biogeochemical models?
• What remote sensing products are to be assimilated into biogeochemical models?
• Which data assimilation methods should be used (less advanced than for physics)?
• How to distribute the different model outputs for various uses?

Particular attention is paid to improving models through best use of the extensive coverage and high frequency of data coming from Biogeochemical Argo and other autonomous platforms.

From: Chai, F., Johnson, K.S., Claustre, H., Xing, X., Wang, Y., Boss, E., Riser, S., Fennel, K., Schofield, O., Sutton, A. (2020). Monitoring ocean biogeochemistry with autonomous platforms. Nature Reviews Earth and Environment 1, 315–326. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-020-0053-y

Connecting open ocean and coastal biogeochemical modelling communities

One of the goals for coordination work under this theme will thus be to address the question of how to connect land, estuarine, coastal seas, and open ocean through an integrated observing and modelling framework. This needs to consider the following aspects:

• What are the modeling frameworks needed to address this question?
• How do we connect different modeling communities?
• Global IPCC models downscaling and regional upscaling to the global ocean
• Hindcasts, short-term and seasonal forecasts, and future projections

All activities related to IOCCP's role in strengthening the interface between global biogeochemistry observations and modelling will be covered in articles found under the IOCCP Activities tab below.