In a major development for climate observation and water cycle research, the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) has officially accredited the Global Terrestrial Network for River Discharge (GTN-R) as one of its GCOS Affiliated Networks. This recognition marks a crucial step in strengthening global freshwater monitoring and advancing the understanding of climate dynamics.
GTN-R plays a vital role within the Global Runoff Data Centre (GRDC), an institution that has been functioning under the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) since 1988. Operated by the German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), GRDC has long served as a key hub for river discharge data worldwide. GTN-R, a specialized subset within GRDC, comprises more than 300 river discharge gauging stations strategically positioned near the mouths of major rivers across the globe.
These stations generate high-quality, long-term datasets that are indispensable for global water resource assessments. Situated at the intersection of land and sea, the data collected by GTN-R provide critical insights into freshwater inflows into oceans, influencing coastal salinity, ocean stratification, and broader climate system interactions. By quantifying river discharge on a global scale, GTN-R supports scientists, policymakers, and climate experts in predicting the effects of climate variability and long-term environmental changes on water availability and flood risks.
The GCOS accreditation process is stringent, involving an exhaustive review of a candidate network’s operations, data integrity, coverage, and adherence to GCOS Climate Monitoring Principles (GCMPs). A panel of GCOS experts assessed GTN-R’s application, ultimately endorsing its adherence to the highest standards of climate monitoring. The network’s dedication to stable, well-documented, and openly accessible datasets played a key role in securing its affiliation.
By joining GCOS Affiliated Networks, GTN-R now stands among an elite group of global observation systems that contribute to enhanced climate knowledge. Its work aligns with international frameworks such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS). GTN-R’s contributions extend beyond climate research, supporting ecosystem management, disaster risk reduction, and sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly those related to clean water (SDG 6) and climate action (SDG 13).
This accreditation not only reinforces GTN-R’s significance in global climate monitoring but also paves the way for greater collaboration in research, data sharing, and capacity-building initiatives. In an era where understanding water and climate dynamics is more critical than ever, GTN-R remains a cornerstone of the global climate observation infrastructure. GCOS looks forward to ongoing partnerships with GTN-R, driving forward a more informed and resilient approach to climate monitoring worldwide.