The broad objective of this workshop is to identify and select essential variables required in high elevation contexts for the monitoring of mountain-specific processes of change.

The co-leads of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Initiative GEO-GNOME, Mountain Research Initiative and the National Research Council of Italy, cordially invite you to participate in the GEO-GNOME Essential Mountain Variables Workshop, 24-26 June 2019, in Bern Switzerland.

The broad goal of this event to identify and select essential climate variables (ECVs) required in high elevation contexts for the monitoring of ‘mountain climate change’ within mountain social-ecological systems, including considerations for integration between in-situ measurements, EO data, and modelling.

The workshop also aims to identify existing (or new) criteria and protocols for data collection and standards for these ECVs. The exploration and identification of uses for the European Space Agency’s existing datasets on ECVs within its Climate Change Initiative (CCI) programme is also envisaged, with particular focus on exploring the use of datasets on aerosol, greenhouse gases (CO2, CH4), ozone, clouds, land cover, soil moisture, fire, glaciers, and biomass, among others, in the mountain context.

Key objectives:
1. Identify and understand relevant physical processes which can lead to elevation dependent mountain climate change;
2. Identify EVs (essential variables) which are required to monitor and understand such processes and their consequences;
3. Discuss selected EVs in the context of surface and in-situ observations (e.g., Unified High Elevation Observing Platforms, or UHOP), other EO (e.g., satellite) and numerical model simulations, and how information from these different sources can be combined or integrated to gain the most relevant information for understanding and predicting mountain climate change

For full details of the workshop format, please download the program.

The organizers acknowledge the joint support of the European Space Agency (ESA) and Future Earth, as well as the Mountain Research Initiative.

Given the workshop format, there are a limited number of spots available for participants. 

Please contact the MRI with any questions you may have: mri@mountainresearchinitiative.org.

Planned Workshop Format

(Please download the program for full details).

24 – 25 June 2019

Workshop ‘ Essential Climate Variables for Observations in Mountains’

A two-day workshop with the key objective of identifying the dominant physical processes relevant for mountain climate change; identifying ECVs required to monitor and understand such processes; and identifying methods for integration between in-situ measurements, Earth Observation (EO) data, and model simulations.

26 June 2019

Excursion to the High Altitude Research Station Jungfraujoch

After the workshop, participants can take part in an optional one-day excursion to and a guided tour of the High Altitude Research Station – Jungfraujoch in the Bernese Highlands.