The Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) is a programme for observations, modelling, and analysis of terrestrial ecosystems to support sustainable development. GTOS facilitates access to information on terrestrial ecosystems so that researchers and policy makers can detect and manage global and regional environmental change. The GTOS programme structure is composed of panels, regional projects and technical programmes.  Implementation of the observing  programs is accomplished using satellite missions, technical programs, and existing and expanded terrestrial networks.

• GTOS Secretariat Home Page
• GTOS Data and Metadata Access Matrix
• EcoPort TEMS T.Site search
• Development of Observing Requirements for GTOS Climate and non-Climate Issues
• Development of the Observing Requirements for Terrestrial Climate
• Terms of Reference for the Terrestial Observing Panel for Climate (TOPC)

Programmes Activities

• NETWORKS - The Global Terrestrial Observing Network (GT-NET)  is a system of thematic observation networks. Each represents an organized effort for a particular theme, habitat type or region. The global networks are: Coastal (GTN-C), Ecology (GTN-E), Glacier (GTN-G), Hydrology (GTN-H), Mountains (GTN-M) and Permafrost (GTN-P)
  • data access
  • information
• SITE DATA - The Terrestrial Ecosystem Monitoring Sites (TEMS) is an international directory of sites (named T.Sites) and networks that carry out long-term terrestrial monitoring and research activities.
  • data access
  • information
  • T-Sites Access Webpage in EcoPort (search by TEMS variable, Network, Location)
• BIODIVERSITY - The Biodiversity GTOS Initiative (B-GTOS)

Technical Panels

• The Coastal-GTOS (C-GTOS) is a program GTOS has developed in collaboration with other coastal programmes and international initiatives to focus on global and regional change in coastal areas. There is a clear need for information on global and regional change in coastal areas. Collection of in situ and remote sensing data must be improved and associated data management, model production and communication infrastructure developed to provide free and timely information to developed and developing nations.
• The Terrestrial Carbon Observation initiative (TCO) is a program that provides information on the global carbon cycle.
  • data access
  • information
• Terrestrial Observing Panel for Climate (TOPC) was jointly established by GTOS and GCOS. TOPC is a group of scientists with expertise in climate change issues and focuses on the identification of terrestrial observation requirements.
  • data access
  • information
• The Global Observation of Forest and Land Cover Dynamics (GOFC-GOLD) panel for climate  is a coordinated international effort to supply space-based and in situ forest and land cover observations to obtain an accurate, reliable and quantitative understanding of global change processes.
  • data access
  • information

International Activities

GTOS undertakes and collaborates in a number of international activities, including:

• Coordination of the development of the land theme (IGOL) of the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS)
• Participation in the development of the Global Earth Observation System of Systems including leading and contribution to the implementation of the identified tasks
• Development of an international biodiversity initiative (B-GTOS)
• Technical support achieving the objectives of numerous international Conventions and treaties
  

GTOS Structure

(**click on Technical Panels and Programme Activities for more information**)

Contact Information

GTOS Secretariat
Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN)
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
00100 Roma
Italy
Phone: +39 (06) 57056804
Fax: +39 (06) 57053369
E-mail:  gtos@fao.org

John Latham, GTOS Programme Director, +39 06 57054026
Reuben Sessa, Programme Officer, +39 06 57056519
Lucilla Spini, Programme Officer, +39 06 57054174
Antonio Bombelli, Carbon Panel Assistant, +39 06 57053808