page_title: Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost
section_title: Governance Structure
hierarchical_section_title: Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost / Governance Structure
caption_attribution_description: English: Framework of GTN-P Management Structure
context_page_description: The Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost is the primary international programme concerned with monitoring permafrost parameters. GTN‐P was developed in the 1990s by the International Permafrost Association under the Global Climate observing System and the Global Terrestrial Observing Network, with the long-term goal of obtaining a comprehensive view of the spatial structure, trends and variability of changes in the active layer thickness and permafrost temperature.
  GCOS and GTOS established 50 Essential Climate Variables, of which one is permafrost. Within the GTN-P, involving the senior and young permafrost scientific community, two permafrost key variables have been identified as ECV's:
  the Thermal State of Permafrost, which is permafrost temperature, long-term monitored by an extensive borehole network
  the Active Layer Thickness, which is the annual thaw depth of permafrost, mostly referring to the monitoring network of Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring
context_section_description: The Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P) governance structure aims to coordinate, manage, support and promote the GCOS and IPA initiative to monitor the thermal state of permafrost, which currently includes the active layer thickness and ground temperature in all permafrost regions of the Earth. GTN-P frames and adapts the best monitoring strategies and standards for permafrost monitoring in the context of existing and new developments in nature, science and technology. Members of the GTN-P governing board represent a wide palette of specialties involved in permafrost observation as well as specialists of data management.
  The GTN-P governing board consists of the Steering Committee, the Advisory Board and the Secretariat.
caption: GTN-P management structure
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