the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Opinion: The strength of long-term comprehensive observations to meet multiple grand challenges at different environments and in the atmosphere
Markku Kulmala
Anna Lintunen
Hanna Lappalainen
Annele Virtanen
Ekaterina Ezhova
Tuomo Nieminen
Ilona Riipinen
Risto Makkonen
Johanna Tamminen
Anu-Maija Sundström
Antti Arola
Armin Hansel
Kari Lehtinen
Timo Vesala
Tuukka Petäjä
Jaana Bäck
Tom Kokkonen
Veli-Matti Kerminen
Abstract. To be able to meet global grand challenges (climate change; biodiversity loss; environmental pollution; scarcity of water, food and energy supplies; acidification; deforestation; chemicalization; pandemics), which all are closely interlinked with each other, we need comprehensive open data with proper metadata. The large data sets from ground-base in situ observations, ground and satellite remote sensing and multiscale modelling need to be utilized seamlessly. In this opinion paper, we describe the SMEAR (Station for Measuring Earth surface – Atmosphere Relations) concept. We also demonstrate its power via several examples, such as detection of new particle formation and their subsequent growth, quantifying atmosphere-ecosystem feedback loops, combining comprehensive observations with emergency science and services, as well as studying the effect of COVID restrictions on different air quality and climate variables. The future needs and the potential of comprehensive observations of the environment are summarized.
Markku Kulmala et al.
Status: open (extended)
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RC1: 'Comment on egusphere-2023-627', Anonymous Referee #1, 08 May 2023
reply
Review of the manuscript "Opinion: The strength of long-term comprehensive observations to meet multiple grand challenges at different environments and in the atmosphere" from Markku Kulmala et al.
Indeed, the manuscript deals with a relevant issue, and the author's team is excellent. It deals with the need for a comprehensive global network of observations for the Grand Challenges. The manuscript describes the concept of SMEAR (Station for Measuring Earth surface – Atmosphere Relations).
The SMEAR concept is not new, and several papers from the same group have already discussed the same idea. Section 2 describes the concept and refers to the paper from Hari and Kulmala of 2005, which had already presented a very similar concept. The title of that paper is Station for Measuring Ecosystem–Atmosphere Relations (SMEAR II). So, what new ideas arise after 18 years from the same concept in this new manuscript? Other than the example of COVID and progress on NPF, the concept is basically the same.
The manuscript frequently discusses the "open DATA" issue when the discussion should be "Open SCIENCE." This indicates a quite narrow view since only having an open data policy does not promote open science.
Additionally, the manuscript proposes a global network of aerosol and other environmental observations. The GLOBAL is essential to the proposition. But 95% of the paper deals only with the approach adopted in one single monitoring station (Hyytiälä) in Finland. It almost exclusively discusses a single, very specific monitoring station. Not even other Scandinavian stations are mentioned. There is no discussion of global networks of stations such as GAW, NOAA, and others. Several examples globally are pretty similar to the SMEAR II station approach in Finland. I think this is an important limitation in the manuscript.
Later, the manuscript describes the COBACC feedback loop, which is discussed only in terms of boreal forests and only with data from Finland. The manuscript would be much richer and more useful if the discussion on COBACC is done more broadly.
Then on page 9, the manuscript discusses the COVID restrictions and the strength of the SMEAR concept. Again, it takes the example of the AHL/BUCT laboratory, where the first author also works. Furthermore, the authors choose a limited view of an important issue instead of a broader, European, or Global approach. This discussion would be much richer if done with a more comprehensive view.
The discussion that NPF is a very important issue in a proposed global monitoring network? What about aerosol radiative forcing changes? What about the aerosol optical properties linked to global heating/cooling? Certainly, many other aspects than NPF could have been discussed in the SMEAR and COBACC concepts.
Section 5 on "future perspectives and possibilities" also fell short of a global view. It would be important to analyze the GAW network, the European initiatives such as ACTRIS, ICOS, and the overall COPERNICUS. They are good examples, of course, and the manuscript could be more useful for readers if a critical analysis with recommendations for these initiatives could be included in Section 5. The need to have global networks for climate change monitoring as well as detailed atmospheric monitoring, including air pollutants, could be really good for the manuscript.
Also important in the manuscript is the list of references. Of the 120 references, nearly 95% are from the same author, Kulmala. The manuscript could again profit from a broader list of European and American authors that have extensively worked on the paper subject. The proposal to have a global atmospheric observation network should not be done with a Finnish approach but certainly with a European or global perspective. The manuscript would profit significantly if thought much broader. The Global Challenges can only be fulfilled with a Global view.
Citation: https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2023-627-RC1
Markku Kulmala et al.
Markku Kulmala et al.
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