The U.S. Arctic observing network (AON): A component of the study of Environmental Arctic Change

The Arctic is presently undergoing rapid changes that cross the physical, biogeochemical and human domains. Understanding the causes of these changes and designing response strategies from the local to the hemispheric scale requires the implementation of an integrated, cross-disciplinary pan-Arctic observing system that is capable of capturing the evolution of the ongoing changes in near real-time. Due to the large spatial extent and the many variables that have to be covered by such an observing system it requires an international effort. This paper presents the status of the U.S. interagency effort to implement a component of the emerging Arctic Observing System that has been established during the past few years, in large part during the International Polar Year, in support of the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH).