More about SEARCH for DAMOCLES (S4D)
DAMOCLES is in partnership with the North-American SEARCH-program (Study of Environmental Arctic Change). The two programs share several scientific objectives including large-scale observations of the Arctic Ocean sea-ice cover and circulation and key atmospheric processes, integration and assimilation of observations with models, and assessment of environmental and human impacts. A website has been set up to explain the SEARCH for DAMOCLES (S4D) cooperation more in detail.
The SEARCH for DAMOCLES (S4D) partnership was established to:
- Coordinate across the Atlantic the scientific efforts to make systematic observations of atmospheric and oceanic variables in the Arctic and subarctic domain, including those of sea ice, so as to improve forecasting of the arctic marine and atmospheric environment, as well as projections of long-term trends;
- Consolidate long-term observations required for documentation and modeling of change and in particular predictions of extreme climate events; and
- Establish common European/U.S.databases and contribute to international programmes
“SEARCH for DAMOCLES” activities are guided by five Working Groups (WGs):
- WG1: System Design/Observations and Integration – Guides synchronization of observing strategies, modeling and analysis approaches, and related activities.
- WG2: Evaluation/Modeling and Understanding – Guides coordinated modeling projects, evaluation of model designs and parameterizations to improve modeling capability, and related activities.
- WG3: Synthesis/Exploitation of Knowledge – Guides strategies for coordinated synthesis, dissemination, transfer, and utilization of research results, and related activities.
- WG4: Response and Education/Outreach – Guides strategies for stakeholder-driven guidance of research activities, community-based observation networks, education and outreach activities, and related activities.
- WG5: Data Management – Guides coordination of policies on data formats, catalogs, archives, and related activities.
The U.S. research program SEARCH is an interagency effort to understand the nature, extent, and future development of the system-scale change presently seen in the Arctic. These changes are occurring across terrestrial, oceanic, atmospheric and human systems, including:
- increased air temperatures over most of the Arctic;
- changing ocean circulation and rising coastal sea level;
- reduced sea ice cover; and
- thawing permafrost.
The core aim of SEARCH is to understand the recent and ongoing complex of interrelated pan-arctic changes. These changes are affecting ecosystems, living resources, and the human population, and are impacting local and global economic activities.
Currently nearly 70 projects are funded as SEARCH activities by U.S. agencies. Many more SEARCH-related projects are supported through other programs.
Learn about the history and development of the SEARCH program here.
More information about SEARCH science, program planning, meetings, and resources are available on the SEARCH website.
