From Pattern to Process: The Strategy of the Earth Observing System; Eos Science Steering Committee Report, Volume II

Quarto. xiii, [1], 140 pages. Wraps. Illustrations (some in color). Acronyms. Tables. Figures. References. Some soiling to covers. Spine faded. While listed as Volume II of the committee reports, this appears to be a stand-alone/complete report. This report was directed primarily at the international Earth observations community. It summarized the current Eos concept. IT showed how this mission could provide the critical space observations needed to understand the integrated functioning of the global cycles of energy, water, and biogeochemicals. It illustrated by examples how this same set of observations could address the needs of various scientific investigations within the individual disciples of Earth science. It recommended steps that could be taken to prepare for the Earth Observing System. The Earth Observing System (EOS) represented a new approach to the study of the Earth. It consists of remotely sensed and correlative in situ observations designed to address important, interrelated global-scale processes. There is an urgent need to study the Earth as a complete, integrated system in order to understand and predict changes caused by human activities and natural processes. The EOS approach is based on an information system concept and designed to provide a long-term study of the Earth using a variety of measurement methods from both operational and research satellite payloads and continuing ground-based Earth science studies. The EOS concept builds on the foundation of the earlier, single-discipline space missions designed for relatively short observation periods. Continued progress in our understanding of the Earth as a system will come from EOS observations spanning several decades using a variety of contemporaneous measurements. …