Outline of GAME-Siberia
Tetsuo OHATA
School of Environmental Sciences
The University of Shiga Prefecture
2500 Hassaka-cho, Hikone 522, JAPAN
1. What is GAME?
GAME (GEWEX Asian Monsoon Experiment) is one of the international regional projects contibuting to GEWEX (Global Energy and water Experiment). The main objectives are to understand the role of Asian monsoon in the global energy and water cycle and to improve the simulation and seasonal prediction of Asian monsoon patterns and regional water resources. The scientific strategy of GAME consists of three components: (1) monitoring by satellites and in situ observations. (2) process studies based on four regional experiments (Tropics, Sub-tropics, Tibetan Plateau, and Siberia). (3) modelling of the hydrometeorological processes in the climate system.
2. Objectives of GAME-Siberia
Land surface processes have been acknowledged as important processes in the climate system, which are formed through the interactions among the atmosphere, land and the oceans. However, the processes have not yet been studied enough to be understood fully, nor have they been properly integrated into GCM models. A great deal of effort to overcome these shortcomings has been made in recent years. It includes simultaneous and intensive observations of atmosphere-land surface, application of satellites which can provide spatial data, and long term measurements of the complex land system, with the cooperation of scientists from multi-disciplinary fields using instruments based on advanced technology.
The study objectives of the Siberian region are to clarify the characteristics and processes of water accumulation and transfer and to investigate their relations to the energy cycle at the atmosphere-land surface interface in a cold environment, which is characterized by frozen ground, snow cover, and boreal forest, from a seasonal to an inter-annual time scale. The spatial scale of the phenomena to be studied will range from the local scale to the large scale of continental river basins draining to the Arctic Ocean.
The hydrological characteristics in this region have a direct influence on the atmospheric system as well as on the Arctic Ocean system through the supply of abundant fresh water to those systems from spring to summer, which in turn influences the climate of the Arctic and surrounding areas. These studies of the energy and water cycles on the layers of land surface will contribute to the understanding of the carbon dioxide related problem and of the recently discussed trace gas emissions such as methane, which are conditioned by the hydrological conditions.
3. Present status and study topics
Siberian Regional Project of GAME (GAME-Siberia) has been officially started in Japan (GAME-J) through funding from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sport and Culture (MESSC) and few other funding bodies, based on the recommendation from the governmental committee. The study period is from 1996 to 2000. Funding in Russia and other countries are now being applied.
The first three years will be mainly focused on the folowing topics.
- Land surface water and energy exchange at three local sites within Lena River basin of different land cover conditions. Three sites are expected.
- Analytical study of local and regional water and energy cycle using hydrometeorological and aerological data of permanent stations.
- Model development, including one-dimensional, meso-scale and hydrological models.
The latter two years will be used mainly for clarifying the atmosphere-land surface interaction especially in relation with special land surface chracteristics such as snow cover, snowmelt, boreal forest and frozen ground.
4. Progress up to now
Following progress has been made. MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) on Japan-Russia Cooperative work has been signed in March, 1996 by Japan National GAME Committee (Chair: T. Yasunari) and Russia GAME Committee (Chair: V. Kotlyakov) to start the project. Few Agreements were made between GAME-J and Russian Institute for implementation.
In 1996, 11 Japanese, 4 Russians were engaged in the field observations in order to start the observational study. Firstly, at the end of August, a 30m tower and preliminary instruments were set at pine/larix forest Spasskaya Pad (Near Yakutsk, Russia), a local measurement network was established, and soil samplings were made. Secondly, a 4m measurement mast was built and a measurement network was set outside of Tiksi (facing Arctic Ocean) in the tundra region, during the same period. Reconaissance of the field site in the southern part of the Lena basin in the Taiga near Irukutsk was made to survey potential study sites. In 1997, the first IOP (Intensive Observation Period) will start to clarify the year-round characteristics of the water and energy exchange at two local scales.
Meteorological and hydrological data sets are being prepared in cooperation with GAME-J and State Hydrological Institute and World Data Center for analysis. Monographs on water/energy cycle in Siberia are being prepared by cooperation among Japan GAME-J-Siberia, Russian GAME Committee, and State Hydrological Institute. Others are now planned for future. In cooperation with AAN Group in GAME-J, Siberia Group is making effort in preparing an advanced automatic observation system for a long-term measurement.
5. Contact Adresses
GAME and GAME-Siberia welcomes the participation of the interested scientists and researchers. GAME itself holds conferences and workshop, and for more informations and request for publication, contact the folllowing address.
Prof. Kenji Nakamura, General Secretary
GAME International Project Office
Institute for Hydrospheric-Atmospheric Sciences
Nagoya University
Furo-cho, Chikusaku, Nagoya 464-01 JAPAN
Tel: +81-52-789-5439 or 3497
Fax: +81-52-789-3436 or 3449
E-mail: nakamura@ihas.nagoya-u.ac.jp
Homepage: http://www.ihas.nagoya-u.ac.jp/game/
|
For details of the GAME-Siberia, contact myself (Ohata) or Dr. T. Hiyama at the same address as above.
Tetsuo OHATA
School of Environmental Sciences
The University of Shiga Prefecture
2500 Hassaka-cho, Hikone 522, JAPAN
Tel: +81-749-28-8314
Fax: +81-749-28-8466, 8477
E-mail: ohata@ses.usp.ac.jp