Task 2.4: Lessons learned from existing long-term atmospheric and ecosystem observations

1. Document existing climate and environmental observation capabilities, review requirements for a Kenyan/East African observation system and identify gaps. MeteoSwiss will assist KMD in documenting their network(s) as well as other relevant observing capability in the country in the WMO OSCAR/Surface platform. This should include taking stock of the many projects that let to setting up instrumentation in the past, say since 2000. Agroscope will assist in linking KMD to other international research institutes and NGOs (i.e. the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research, CGIAR) carrying out environmental observations and thus linking atmospheric with ecosystem observations. The team will analyse which networks worked for how long and why, understand current capabilities, its strengths and weaknesses in order to establish guidelines for future design. Importantly, this stocktaking should include the observations of state variables (classical meteorology and climatology including atmosphere and ecosystems), its chemical composition, greenhouse gas (GHG) flux observations and other Essential Climate variables (ECVs).

   • Expected impact: Sound basis for design of future observation capabilities, increased capacity in Kenya to manage atmospheric and ecosystem environmental observation networks, in-depth understanding of key requirements for environmental research infrastructures, connection to climate services in a specific region.

2. Assess and valorise existing data obtained at the GAW stations Mt. Kenya (GHG, aerosol, meteorological parameters, surface ozone, carbon monoxide) and Nairobi (surface ozone, meteorological parameters), other existing observations of chemical composition This sub-task will pilot a concrete data stream including QA/QC of data, submission to World Data Centers, scientific analysis, synthesis, lessons learnt during up to 20 years of cooperation with KMD and discussions with University Nairobi, UNEP, etc. This will be a joint activity of Empa, MeteoSwiss and the ICOS Carbon Portal and Thematic Centres with some contribution by Agroscope and Paul Scherrer Institute PSI (in-kind, informal) in the form of direct collaboration with KMD colleagues involved in the operational activities at these stations.

   • Expected impact: Improved methodological, technical and scientific capacity in Kenya, additional data for future assessments of atmospheric state, solid baseline for air quality related activities in rural and urban environments (link to Pilot 3 – Cities), additional ground truth for satellite observations and modeling efforts (link to Pilot 1 – African ES model)

3. Valorise the upper air data obtained at KMD HQ in Nairobi: radio soundings and ozone This sub-task will comprise compilation, QA/QC and submission of data to World Data Center, scientific analysis, knowledge transfer, lessons learnt. Expected impact: Improved methodological, technical and scientific capacity in Kenya, additional data for future assessments of atmospheric state, additional ground truth for satellite observations and modeling efforts (link to Pilot 1 – African ES model)

4. Synthesise and integrate existing ecosystem GHG flux observations available across Kenya. Over the past 5 years, several eddy covariance stations were established in South Central Kenya by European Universities (in particular University of Helsinki) and international research centres (CGIAR). These data are key to assess the magnitude of GHG exchange across dominant ecosystems. Consolidated QA/QC of data, and submission to relevant Data Centers, scientific analysis, synthesis, and experience exchange with KMD and discussions with University of Nairobi, CGIAR Centres, UNEP, etc will be pursued. The development of an African regional network including an own data centre within FLUXNET will be envisaged. This will bea joint activity of Empa, MeteoSwiss, Agroscope and the ICOS Carbon Portal and Thematic Centres in the form of direct collaboration with KMD colleagues involved in the operational activities at these stations.

   • Expected impact: Improved methodological, technical and scientific capacity in Kenya, additional data for future assessments of ecosystem functioning, solid baseline for GHG flux observations in rural environments, additional ground truth for satellite observations and modeling efforts (link to Pilot 1 –African ES model).