The Goal of SAON is to enhance Arctic-wide observing activities by facilitating partnerships and

synergies among existing observing and data networks (“building blocks”), and promoting sharing

and synthesis of data and information.

www.arcticobserving.org

The Scope of SAON

• SAON will identify issues, gaps and opportunities related to Arctic observing and data sharing and take a multi-national approach to identify and demonstrate improvements to the current situation. Routine implementation of useful improvements will be the responsibility of relevant observing and data management organizations

• SAON will work with a broadly defined Arctic observing community and with national and multi-national organizations and non-governmental partners to define and undertake its tasks.

• SAON will not undertake observations, conduct research, perform scientific analysis or assessment, nor be a source of funding for these activities.

SAON Focus Areas

A: Improve the management of Arctic natural resourcesKey needs: Describe the status and trends of key ecosystems and natural resourcesSAON tasks: - Improve integration of and access to data on key species- Improve GIS based mapping tools to support resource management

B: Sustain and enhance quality of human life in the ArcticKey needs: Describe status and trends of human health, and of social, cultural and economic

conditionsSAON tasks: - Improve integration of and access to data on human health, and on social, cultural, and

economic variables

C: Enable effective societal response to a changing Arctic environmentSAON tasks:- Improve observations of the Arctic environment - Improve integration and access to data bases of key climate and environmental variables - Improve interoperability- Define polar metadata profile- Improve modeling and predictive capability for natural and socio-economic systems