A - C
type: Concept

CASO
in scheme: projects
definition: Short Title: CASO Project URL: http://www.clivar.org/organization/southern/CASO/ Proposal URL:http://classic.ipy.org/development/eoi/proposal-details.php?id=132 CASO provides an integrated and interdisciplinary approach to understanding the role of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in past, present and future climate during the IPY 2007-2008 (see http://www.clivar.org/organization/southern/documents/SOIPY.pdf for a more complete description of the CASO science plan). CASO is organised into five themes: 1. Antarctica and the Southern Ocean in the global water cycle 2. Southern hemisphere teleconnections 3. Climate processes at the Antarctic continental margin 4. Climate ecosystem biogeochemistry interactions in the Southern Ocean 5. Records of past Antarctic climate variability and change This proposal describes IPY activities grouped in the Antarctic Ocean Circulation cluster of EOIs that contribute to the goals of CASO. Objectives: 1. To obtain a synoptic circumpolar snapshot of the physical environment of the Southern Ocean (collaboration with other IPY activities will extend the snapshot to include biogeochemistry, ecology, and biodiversity). 2. To enhance understanding of the role of the Southern Ocean in past, present and future climate, including connections between the zonal and meridional circulation of the Southern Ocean, water mass transformation, atmospheric variability, ocean-cryosphere interactions, physical-biogeochemical-ecological linkages, and teleconnections between polar and lower latitudes. Outcomes/Deliverables: 1. Improved climate predictions, from models that incorporate a better understanding of southern polar processes. 2. Proof of concept of a viable, cost-effective, sustained observing system for the southern polar regions (including ocean, atmosphere and cryosphere). 3. A baseline for the assessment of future change. Major field programs: 1. A circumpolar array of full-depth multi-disciplinary hydrographic sections and XBT/XCTD sections, …
type: Concept