Advanced Information


The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is a coordinated network of people and technology that work together to generate and disseminate continuous data on our coastal waters, Great Lakes, and oceans.  The U.S. IOOS consists of both Federal and regional contributions of ocean observations, products, and services.   The roles of each of these groups are described in more detail in the "U.S. IOOS Partners" section of this Web site. IOOS may be viewed as having two interdependent components:


  1. global component
  2. national coastal component. 

Global Component


IOOS is the U.S. contribution to the Global Ocean Observing System, or "GOOS." GOOS is a global system for sustained ocean observations designed to improve weather forecasts and climate predictions. GOOS is also the ocean component of an even larger system, known as the Global Earth Observation System of System (GEOSS). GEOSS will work with and build upon these other national, regional, and international systems to provide comprehensive, coordinated Earth observations from thousands of instruments worldwide, transforming the data they collect into useful information for society.

 

Integrated Coral Observing Network(ICON)

The Integrated Coral Observing Network (ICON) project installs meteorological and oceanographic monitoring stations at sensitive coral reef sites throughout the world, such as the Coral Reef Early Warning System (CREWS) station shown here at the La Parguera Marine Preserve in Puerto Rico. The ICON project also utilizes artificial intelligence tools to integrate data from a variety of other in situ networks, and utilizes these data in producing and researching ecological forecasts (e.g., coral bleaching, fish and invertebrate spawning, onshore flux, etc.) of interest to Marine Protected Area (MPA) managers, researchers, and the general public.

National Coastal Component


The national coastal component of IOOS includes U.S. observations, products, and services provided by a number of Federal agencies to monitor and manage the Great Lakes and entire U.S. ocean environment. The coastal component also includes a network of 11 non-Federal Regional Associations that allow these Federal agencies to expand their measurements to issues and geographic areas of particular interest to local communities.


IOOS Sub-systems

 

According to the U.S. IOOS Development Plan, the process of linking observations to the development of useful, environmental information requires "a managed, efficient, two-way flow of data and information among three essential sub-systems." These sub-systems include:


  • Measurements: Ocean observations collected from systems in the water, as well as land-based, airborne, or satellite platforms;
  • Data Management and Communications (DMAC):  The primary mechanism to integrate collected IOOS data so that they are compatible with one another and  accessible to users; and
  • Modeling and Analysis:  Products and services delivered to users, including related socio-economic research, outreach, training, and education.

Digital image of a regional observing system.
Graphical depiction of the observations, data management and communications, and modeling and analysis subsystems, developed by Lockeed Martin as part of a conceptual design study for IOOS. This is meant for illustration purposes only- NOAA does not endorse this conceptual design study over another. Click image for larger view.

Through these sub-systems, IOOS links observations to modeling and predictions to provide data and information needed to improve the nation’s ability to achieve seven societal goals:

  • Improve predictions of climate change and weather and their effects on coastal communities and the nation;
  • Improve the safety and efficiency of maritime operations;
  • Allow more effective mitigation of the effects of natural hazards;
  • Improve national and homeland security;
  • Reduce public health risks;
  • Allow more effective protection and restoration of healthy coastal ecosystems; and
  • Enable the sustained use of ocean and coastal resources.

 

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