Improving satellite-based monitoring of the Arctic polar regions: identification of research and capacity gaps
We present a comprehensive review of the current status of remotely sensed and in situ sea ice,
ocean, and land parameters acquired over the Arctic and Antarctic and identify current data gaps
through comparison with the portfolio of products provided by Copernicus services. While we
include several land parameters, the focus of our review is on the marine sector. The analysis is
facilitated by the outputs of the KEPLER H2020 project. This project developed a road map for
Copernicus to deliver an improved European capacity for monitoring and forecasting of the Polar
Regions, including recommendations and lessons learnt, and the role citizen science can play in
supporting Copernicus’ capabilities and giving users ownership in the system. In addition to
summarising this information we also provide an assessment of future satellite missions (in particular
the Copernicus Sentinel Expansion Missions), in terms of the potential enhancements they can
provide for environmental monitoring and integration/assimilation into modelling/forecast products.
We identify possible synergies between parameters obtained from different satellite missions to
increase the information content and the robustness of specific data products considering the
end-users requirements, in particular maritime safety. We analyse the potential of new variables and
new techniques relevant for assimilation into simulations and forecasts of environmental conditions
and changes in the Polar Regions at various spatial and temporal scales. This work concludes with
several specific recommendations to the EU for improving the satellite-based monitoring of the Polar
Regions.