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GTN-P Program Overview
The Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P) is a program of the International Permafrost Association (IPA). This global network of permafrost observatories are for detecting, monitoring, and predicting aspects of climate change. GTN-P is a component of GCOS and GTOS. It consists of two observational components: the active or surface layer that freezes and thaws annually, and the thermal state of the underlying permafrost.
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Program Management
In 1997 GTOS and GCOS identified active layer and permafrost thermal state as two key variables for monitoring in permafrost regions (WMO, 1997). The International Permafrost Association (IPA) Council passed a resolution in 1998 to lead the development of an international network for permafrost monitoring.
Subsequently an ad-hoc steering committee was established. The Committee developed a strategy for the organization, implementation and management of a global network for active layer and borehole temperature monitoring. In 1999, GTN-P was established under GTOS and GCOS. The IPA was asked to plan and implement the network.
Other programs cooperating with the GTN-P include the Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring (CALM) network which was established in 1990 to monitor changes in active layer thickness and temperature and the European Community project, Permafrost and Climate in Europe (PACE). PACE plans to monitor nine boreholes in mountain permafrost. |
GTN-P Organizing Committee
The GTN-P organizing committee is an ad-hoc committee of the IPA responsible for the development, implementation and management of the GTN-P.
Executive Committee members for 2003-2008 are:
Dr. Jerry Brown, President (USA)
Professor Charles Harris, Vice President (United Kingdom)
Dr. Georgy Perlshtein, Vice President (Russia)
Mr. Don Hayley, Member (Canada)
Dr. Hans Hubberten, Member (Germany)
Professor Zhu Yuanlin, Member (China)
Contact Information
- Jerry Brown
member of International Permafrost Association (IPA) Executive Committee
P.O. Box 7
Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543
USA
Tel/fax: +1 (508) 457-4982
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