The Great Lakes represent approximately 20% of Earth's surface freshwater and are the largest surface area of freshwater on the planet. Understanding the magnitude of the contribution that the Great Lakes make to Earth's carbon budget is important to regional, national, and international carbon monitoring efforts. Quantifying the annual carbon fixation for each of the five Great Lakes as well as determining which of the Lakes are carbon sinks versus sources will be a significant contribution to the overall understanding of the Earth's carbon budget. Despite the large number of in situ based productivity measurements made at selected locations and limited times during the year in the Great Lakes, a strong case can be made that accurate annual lake-wide estimates of primary production do not exist for any of the Great Lakes. Thus, a new approach using satellite data is needed to provide truly lake-wide primary production in these important large ecosystems.
This proposed satellite based program will result in new regional carbon monitoring products that will characterize each Laurentian Great Lake's annual carbon fixation and additionally address whether each Great Lake is a net source or sink of carbon. This will be accomplished through characterization of phytoplankton primary production (PP) using a new Great Lakes Primary Productivity Model (GLPPM). The GLPPM utilizes NASA OceanColor satellite imagery (MODIS, VIIRS). Additionally, aggregating annual PP for all five lakes will give insight into whether the Great Lakes are as a whole is a source or sink of carbon and to determine the significance of the Great Lakes to Earth's total carbon budget. Individual Great Lakes annual carbon production information will also be invaluable input into high resolution regional carbon models.
A key element to the success of this program includes additional field measurements in Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron and Great Lakes embayments. These in situ observations will be used to better quantify carbon fixation rates that are key to producing accurate carbon estimation products. Additionally the field data will aid in the product accuracy assessment.
In summary, monthly and annual carbon production products for each of the five Great Lakes generated under this program will be provided to stakeholders via an active data sharing program within NOAA/Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab (GLERL) and the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS). A key to providing this valuable data for decision makers, scientists, the public, and other stakeholders will be rigorous error quantification and accuracy assessment.
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Project URL(s):
None provided.
Data Products:
Product Title: Lake-wide primary production estimates for all five Great Lakes in the U.S.
Time Period: 2002-2014
Description: - Develop new satellite-derived primary production estimate for Great Lakes. ; - Conduct historical analysis of primary production and key input parameters (i.e., chlorophyll, KdPAR, and PAR).
cite these data as
Shuchman, R.A., Fahnenstiel, G.L., Sayers, M. 2015. Great Lakes Primary Production Estimates 2002-2014 From New Great Lakes Primary Production model (GLPPM). Data Set. Program Website: http://mtri.org/glppm.html
Status: Preliminary
CMS Science Theme(s): Lake Biomass; Ocean Biomass; Ocean-Atmosphere Flux
Temporal Frequency: Annually – time series for Lakes Michigan, Superior, and Huron: 2002-2014; ; Monthly – seasonal analysis for upper three Lakes: only 2011
Input Data Products: Ocean color satellite data, carbon fixation rate data
Algorithm/Models Used: Great Lakes Primary Production Model (GLPPM)
Evaluation: NOAA GLERL in situ monitoring data
Intercomparison Efforts/Gaps: Comparisons to Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior measurements and other Great Lakes observations.
Uncertainty Estimates: Preliminary evaluation of errors will be made with comparisons to observations. Pixel level uncertainty and production model uncertainty will be evaluated with Monte Carlo simulation and modeling.
Uncertainty Categories: model-data comparison
Application Areas: - Watershed protection plans; - Global carbon budget calculations; - Coastal land management
Relevant Policies/Programs: EPA's State of the Lakes Ecosystem (SOLEC), EPA's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy, NGHGI, CAP, CAA, CWA, NALS, Doha/Kyoto
Potential Users: Michigan Department of Environmental Quality; Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS); US National Park Service; USGS; NOAA; US Coast Guard; EPA Regions 2, 3, & 5; Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Wisconsin, Minnesota, & Ohio Departments of Natural Resources or equivalent agencies; Environment Canada; Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Stakeholders:
Current Application Readiness Level: 5
Start Application Readiness Level: 2
Target Application Readiness Level: 5
Future Developments: - Hold meetings with NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Lab, EPA, USGS, Michigan Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality, and US National Park Service.; - Post data on GLOS by the end of 2014.; - Publish results in 2014.
Limitations: - limited Ground-based data to validate satellite and model derived measurements, both spatially and temporally.
Date When Product Available: 2002-2014 Monthly Average PP maps for Lakes Michigan, Superior, and Huron available April 2015
Product Title: Carbon Monitoring System Lake Huron Primary Production Monthly V1 (CMSLakeHuronPPM) at GES DISC
Start Date: 01/2010End Date: 12/2013 (2010-2013)
Description: Monthly Average primary production/carbon fixation data for Lake Huron. The primary production data is derived using MODIS imagery with model data.
The NASA Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) is designed to make significant contributions in characterizing, quantifying, understanding, and predicting the evolution of global carbon sources and sinks through improved monitoring of carbon stocks and fluxes. The System will use the full range of NASA satellite observations and modeling/analysis capabilities to establish the accuracy, quantitative uncertainties, and utility of products for supporting national and international policy, regulatory, and management activities. CMS will maintain a global emphasis while providing finer scale regional information, utilizing space-based and surface-based data and will rapidly initiate generation and distribution of products both for user evaluation and to inform near-term policy development and planning.
Status: Archived
CMS Science Theme(s): Lake Biomass; Ocean Biomass; Ocean-Atmosphere Flux
Archived Data Citation: Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Huron Primary Production Monthly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/CZ39JIR4ZAT4
Bounding Coordinates:
West Longitude:
-84.76200
East Longitude:
-79.65200
North Latitude:
46.59100
South Latitude:
43.00100
Product Title: Carbon Monitoring System Lake Huron Primary Production Yearly V1 (CMSLakeHuronPPY) at GES DISC
Start Date: 01/2010End Date: 12/2013 (2010-2013)
Description: Yearly Average primary production/carbon fixation data for Lake Huron. The primary production data is derived using MODIS imagery with model data.
The NASA Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) is designed to make significant contributions in characterizing, quantifying, understanding, and predicting the evolution of global carbon sources and sinks through improved monitoring of carbon stocks and fluxes. The System will use the full range of NASA satellite observations and modeling/analysis capabilities to establish the accuracy, quantitative uncertainties, and utility of products for supporting national and international policy, regulatory, and management activities. CMS will maintain a global emphasis while providing finer scale regional information, utilizing space-based and surface-based data and will rapidly initiate generation and distribution of products both for user evaluation and to inform near-term policy development and planning.
Status: Archived
CMS Science Theme(s): Lake Biomass; Ocean Biomass; Ocean-Atmosphere Flux
Archived Data Citation: Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Huron Primary Production Yearly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/11TMFK7VSHDY
Bounding Coordinates:
West Longitude:
-84.76200
East Longitude:
-79.65200
North Latitude:
46.59100
South Latitude:
43.00100
Product Title: Carbon Monitoring System Lake Michigan Primary Production Monthly V1 (CMSLakeMichiganPPM) at GES DISC
Start Date: 01/2010End Date: 12/2013 (2010-2013)
Description: Monthly Average primary production/carbon fixation data for Lake Michigan. The primary production data is derived using MODIS imagery with model data.
The NASA Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) is designed to make significant contributions in characterizing, quantifying, understanding, and predicting the evolution of global carbon sources and sinks through improved monitoring of carbon stocks and fluxes. The System will use the full range of NASA satellite observations and modeling/analysis capabilities to establish the accuracy, quantitative uncertainties, and utility of products for supporting national and international policy, regulatory, and management activities. CMS will maintain a global emphasis while providing finer scale regional information, utilizing space-based and surface-based data and will rapidly initiate generation and distribution of products both for user evaluation and to inform near-term policy development and planning.
Archived Data Citation: Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Michigan Primary Production Monthly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/5AZRS4SRGS1R
Bounding Coordinates:
West Longitude:
-84.76200
East Longitude:
-79.65200
North Latitude:
46.59100
South Latitude:
43.00100
Product Title: Carbon Monitoring System Lake Michigan Primary Production Yearly V1 (CMSLakeMichiganPPY) at GES DISC
Start Date: 01/2010End Date: 12/2013 (2010-2013)
Description: Yearly Average primary production/carbon fixation data for Lake Michigan. The primary production data is derived using MODIS imagery with model data.
The NASA Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) is designed to make significant contributions in characterizing, quantifying, understanding, and predicting the evolution of global carbon sources and sinks through improved monitoring of carbon stocks and fluxes. The System will use the full range of NASA satellite observations and modeling/analysis capabilities to establish the accuracy, quantitative uncertainties, and utility of products for supporting national and international policy, regulatory, and management activities. CMS will maintain a global emphasis while providing finer scale regional information, utilizing space-based and surface-based data and will rapidly initiate generation and distribution of products both for user evaluation and to inform near-term policy development and planning.
Status: Archived
CMS Science Theme(s): Lake Biomass; Ocean Biomass; Ocean-Atmosphere Flux
Archived Data Citation: Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Michigan Primary Production Yearly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/NCJELM4CS8H8
Bounding Coordinates:
West Longitude:
-84.76200
East Longitude:
-79.65200
North Latitude:
46.59100
South Latitude:
43.00100
Product Title: Carbon Monitoring System Lake Superior Primary Production Monthly V1 (CMSLakeSuperiorPPM) at GES DISC
Start Date: 01/2010End Date: 12/2013 (2010-2013)
Description: Monthly Average primary production/carbon fixation data for Lake Superior. The primary production data is derived using MODIS imagery with model data.
The NASA Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) is designed to make significant contributions in characterizing, quantifying, understanding, and predicting the evolution of global carbon sources and sinks through improved monitoring of carbon stocks and fluxes. The System will use the full range of NASA satellite observations and modeling/analysis capabilities to establish the accuracy, quantitative uncertainties, and utility of products for supporting national and international policy, regulatory, and management activities. CMS will maintain a global emphasis while providing finer scale regional information, utilizing space-based and surface-based data and will rapidly initiate generation and distribution of products both for user evaluation and to inform near-term policy development and planning.
Status: Archived
CMS Science Theme(s): Lake Biomass; Ocean Biomass; Ocean-Atmosphere Flux
Archived Data Citation: Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Superior Primary Production Monthly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/FZRE98046VM7
Bounding Coordinates:
West Longitude:
-84.76200
East Longitude:
-79.65200
North Latitude:
46.59100
South Latitude:
43.00100
Product Title: Carbon Monitoring System Lake Superior Primary Production Yearly V1 (CMSLakeSuperiorPPY) at GES DISC
Start Date: 01/2010End Date: 12/2013 (2010-2013)
Description: Yearly Average primary production/carbon fixation data for Lake Superior. The primary production data is derived using MODIS imagery with model data.
The NASA Carbon Monitoring System (CMS) is designed to make significant contributions in characterizing, quantifying, understanding, and predicting the evolution of global carbon sources and sinks through improved monitoring of carbon stocks and fluxes. The System will use the full range of NASA satellite observations and modeling/analysis capabilities to establish the accuracy, quantitative uncertainties, and utility of products for supporting national and international policy, regulatory, and management activities. CMS will maintain a global emphasis while providing finer scale regional information, utilizing space-based and surface-based data and will rapidly initiate generation and distribution of products both for user evaluation and to inform near-term policy development and planning.
Status: Archived
CMS Science Theme(s): Lake Biomass; Ocean Biomass; Ocean-Atmosphere Flux
Archived Data Citation: Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Superior Primary Production Yearly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/SQ2R9DWW6WDV
Bounding Coordinates:
West Longitude:
-84.76200
East Longitude:
-79.65200
North Latitude:
46.59100
South Latitude:
43.00100
Publications:
Fahnenstiel, G. L., Sayers, M. J., Shuchman, R. A., Yousef, F., Pothoven, S. A. 2016. Lake-wide phytoplankton production and abundance in the Upper Great Lakes: 2010-2013. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 42(3), 619-629. DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2016.02.004
Yousef, F., Charles Kerfoot, W., Shuchman, R., Fahnenstiel, G. 2014. Bio-optical properties and primary production of Lake Michigan: Insights from 13-years of SeaWiFS imagery. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 40(2), 317-324. DOI: 10.1016/j.jglr.2014.02.018
Archived Data Citations:
Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Huron Primary Production Yearly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/11TMFK7VSHDY
Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Superior Primary Production Monthly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/FZRE98046VM7
Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Michigan Primary Production Monthly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/5AZRS4SRGS1R
Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Huron Primary Production Monthly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/CZ39JIR4ZAT4
Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Michigan Primary Production Yearly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/NCJELM4CS8H8
Gary L. Fahnenstiel, Michael J. Sayers, Robert A. Shuchman, Foad Yousef, & Steven A. Pothoven (2019), Carbon Monitoring System Lake Superior Primary Production Yearly, Greenbelt, MD, USA, Goddard Earth Sciences Data and Information Services Center (GES DISC), Accessed: [Data Access Date], 10.5067/SQ2R9DWW6WDV