Gliders are a unique and important observing system used to serve a variety of subsurface observing missions.  Gliders can monitor water currents, temperature, tagged animals and conditions that reveal effects from storms, impacts on fisheries, and the quality of our water. This information creates a more complete picture of what is happening in the ocean, as well as trends scientists might be able to detect. These versatile vehicles collect information from deep water, as well as at the surface, at lower cost and less risk than ever before. As scientists deploy more gliders, they are revolutionizing how we observe our ocean. These robots propel us closer to that revolution. 

The IOOS Program Office has taken an active interest in profiling glider observing platforms over the last few years as their role has begun to increase and show extensive value in subsurface water column observing.  There is a lot of capacity in the IOOS Regional Associations and there has been interest from the community in looking for opportunities to collaborate and expand the impact and value of profiling gliders. As a result we have developed a glider network white paper, established a glider data assembly center and most recently established an Underwater Glider User Group (UG2).  All of these activities are intended to expand the understanding and use of gliders.  For more information and latest updates about the UG2, events and more please visit gliders.ioos.us. 

Glider Applications Include

• Ecosystem dynamics monitoring
• MBARI dye tracking experiment
• Test performance of acoustic receivers and other sensors
• Fish stock mapping of Red Grouper and others
• Glider speed testing in the Gulf Stream
• Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) mapping 
• Listening to tagged fish, whale acoustics
• Sustained and targeted ocean observations for improving tropical cyclone intensity and hurricane seasonal forecasts
• Upper ocean monitoring of U.S. Caribbean/ Atlantic Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ)
• Sampling around Station ALOHA and other long term stations
• Hydrographic mapping
• Ocean acidification sampling
• Climate monitoring