Full Proposals for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Proposed IPY Activity Details

1.0 PROPOSER INFORMATION

(Activity ID No: 66)

1.1 Title of Activity
ANDEEP – SYSTCO (ANtarctic benthic DEEP-sea biodiversity: colonisation history and recent community patterns – SYSTem COupling)

1.2 Short Form Title of Proposed Activity
SYSTCO

1.3 Activity Leader Details
Angelika Brandt
Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Hamburg
Germany

1.4 Lead International Organisation(s) (if applicable)
Census of Marine Life (CoML)
OBIS
SCAR (-EBA; -MarBIN)
CCAMLR

1.5 Other Countries involved in the activity
USA
United Kingdom
Belgium
Italy
France
Norway
Spain
Switzerland
Russia
Argentina
Australia
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL
NULL

1.6 Expression of Intent ID #'s brought together in this proposed activity
111, 577, 83, 533, 62, 20, 269, 417, 16, 817, 953, 64, 139, 189, 109, 554, 605, 211, 80

1.7 Location of Field Activities
Bipolar

1.8 Which IPY themes are addressed
1. Current state of the environment
2. Change in the polar regions
3. Polar-global linkages/tele-connections
4. Exploring new frontiers

1.9 What is the main IPY target addressed by this activity
1. Natural or social science

2.0 SUMMARY OF THE ACTIVITY

ANDEEP-SYSTCO will build on results from ANDEEP I-III. The effort required is far greater than that can be achieved by any one nation. ANDEEP-SYSTCO can only be a multi-national, multi-disciplinary international assault on the problem in a program which would sit well within the International Polar Year.
The scientific approach of ANDEEP – SYSTCO will be:
to build on the international and interdisciplinary investigations which were begun during ANDEEP I-III.
to add a novel, innovative aspect to polar biological research - and to ANDEEP - by involving scientists from different disciplines, such as atmospheric sciences, climatology, hydrography, planktology, physical oceanography, geophysics, geology, sedimentology, bathymetry etc. to shed light on atmospheric-pelagic-benthic coupling processes.
to broaden the scientific scope of ANDEEP, by the use of innovative technology (modern satellites, very fine-meshed plankton samplers, novel sea-bed landers, ROVs, plankton suctors, etc., to train a new generation of polar scientists.
Important issues to address are: Atmosphere: measurements of parameters like aerosols, ozone, reflectivity, UV irradiance, or volcanic activity (SO2) via spacecrafts (e.g. Adeos, Nimbus, OMI) will for example inform about the particle load of the atmosphere, and the magnitude of light penetration (e g. Cryosat for surface fluxes and vertical profiles of the fluxes in the atmospheric boundary layer). Plankton: influence of atmospheric processes on processes in the water column, of the biogeochemistry of the surface water on primary productivity, the importance (e.g. biomass and diversity) of the nanoplankton in the food web, vertical changes in the plankton community to abyssal depths. Benthos: biology of abyssal key species. Role of the bottom-nepheloid for recruitment (larvae) of benthic animals (plankton suctor). Influence of quantity and quality of food sinking through the water column for abyssal life. Functional morphology & physiology of abyssal animals. (Measurements of the stable isotopes 15N and 13C to estimate the trophic position of dominant pelagic and benthic animals, to determine carbon flow to the consumers. Seabed characteristics: Effects of sedimentology, biogeochemistry, and pore water on benthic life in time and space (palaeontology). Sedimentation rates and processes over time (geophysics, sub-bottom 3.5 kHZ profiler; detailed bathymetric mapping).
Work programme: As an integrated and interdisciplinary approach is of prime importance, all scientists must work simultaneously. To accommodate the expected high number of scientists, and to allow for efficient work, we plan to employ two major polar research vessels. Besides using an icebreaker such as RV Polarstern, a research vessel has to be chartered.
ANDEEP-SYSTCO in the framework of SCAR-EBA: SCAR-EBA will integrate for the first time understanding across the major realms of Antarctic biology (marine, terrestrial, freshwater, from molecules to ecosystems) into the cohesive picture that is a prerequisite of Earth System Science.
ANDEEP-SYSTCO and CAML: The main objective of CAML is to describe and define the biodiversity of marine life in the oceans surrounding Antarctica. ANDEEP-SYSTCO will fit perfectly into CAML as it is already part of CoML through its role within CeDAMar, but it will also help to link major IPY projects on a vertical scale (from atmosphere to ocean floor).
ANDEEP-SYSTCO and CeDAMar: CeDAMar is designed to overcome the widely recognized “taxonomic impediment” by means of freely available databases such as OBIS (Ocean Biogeographic Information System) and by promoting exchange among taxonomists as well as stimulating the involvement of young scientists through educational programs. As a field project of the Census of Marine Life (CoML), CeDAMar is aimed at providing a broad foundation of knowledge on the biodiversity and distribution of abyssal species.

2.1 What is the evidence of inter-disciplinarity in this activity?
Inherent in the concept of the project is the interdisciplinary, multinational- synoptic study of atmosphere, water column/ ice, and seafloor with methodology including satellites, innovative plankton and bottom samplers (and/or recorders), landers, cameras, and plankton suctors.

2.2 What will be the significant advances/developments from this activity? What will be the major deliverables? What are the outputs for your peers?
Significant advances: For the first time, a number of stations in the deep Southern Ocean will be investigated with a process-oriented focus by simultaneously sampling atmosphere, water/ice, and seafloor to investigate coupling processes between these components of the biosphere. In the long run these results might lead to a better understanding of the functioning of the Southern Ocean as a whole. This project builds on a precursor (ANDEEP) which was multidisciplinary as well but more focused on the status quo of the nearly unexplored ecosystem of the abyssal benthos in the Antarctic. The approach of exploring a new or almost untouched frontier with regard to the geographic area will be complemented by approaching a new frontier in linking major scientific disciplines (atmospheric, biological sciences, physical oceanography, sedimentology, and geology) for simultaneous study of a defined area. Major deliverables and output for peers: data on plankton, benthos, sediment characteristics, physical oceanography, aerosols, ozone, etc. from the Southern Ocean deep sea; publications, possibly in a special volume, tracked with specially assigned publication numbers; oral and poster presentations at relevant conferences and workshops including the conference proposed by ICES if the proposal is granted. Contributions to OBIS via SCAR-MarBIN.

2.3 Outline the geographical location(s) for the proposed field work (approximate coordinates will be helpful if possible)

2.4 Define the approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities?

2.5 What major logistic support/facilities will be required for this project?
Icebreaker
Multi-instrumented platforms
Remotely Operated Vehicle

Further details – More than one ship will be required because of high number of participants who will have to work almost simultaneously at the stations.

2.6 How will the required logistics be supplied? Have operators been approached?

2.7 If working in the Arctic regions, has there been contact with local indigenous groups or relevant authorities regarding access?

3.0 STRUCTURE OF THE ACTIVITY

3.1 Origin of the activity
This is a new activity developed for the IPY period

3.2 How will the activity be organised and managed? Describe the proposed management structure and means for coordinating across the cluster
A seminal project management structure is in place with the Scientific Steering Committee of ANDEEP. Together with representatives from non-benthic disciplines this committee will be augmented to form a SYSTCO steering committee once the logistic support (shiptime) is in place. Partners from cross-over projects are encouraged to organise themselves with counterparts within SYSTCO on their own, and also to integrate into EBA and CAML as well. Data management can be guaranteed through SCAR-MarBIN to OBIS, however, it is expected that IPY may develop its own data management system beyond that. Samples will be handled through the German Centre for Biodiversity Research (DZMB) in Wilhelmshaven, Germany, a department of the Senckenberg Institute especially designed as a service organisation coordinating sample handling, processing, tracking, and archiving for all projects staged from German research vessels, as well as providing a database of taxonomic experts. Funding will be through national funding agencies, including the German Science Foundation DFG, which has indicated plans to dedicate the funds regularly set aside for Antarctic research to IPY activities. Additional funding is still under debate, funding has also to be expected from the national funding agencies of all collaborators. Logistic support will be secured in the near future, at least as far as the German icebreaker “Polarstern” is concerned. As both the Alfred Wegener Institute and the Senckenberg Institute are involved in SYSTCO as cooperation partners, logistic and organisational help will be available, including education and outreach departments of these institutions. As SYSTCO is an important field project also for CoML (CeDAMar and CAML) and Dr. Brigitte Hilbig is employed for the public outreach of CeDAMar, CoML will also support the education and outreach of SYSTCO.

3.3 Will the activity leave a legacy of infrastructure and if so in what form?
The area investigated during SYSTCO will provide a basis for future monitoring programmes, i.e., global change studies and could serve as some sort of a time-series-area which could be revisited in future.

3.4 Will the activity involve nations other than traditional polar nations? How will this be addressed?
The main involvement is from nations with experience in Antarctic research and with responsibility and knowledge of the employment of special gear needed. However, many nations from South America and scientists from Russia will be involved to work up the material scientifically. Furthermore, the material will be available for international research in systematics via museums’ collections to every scientist from any nation.

3.5 Will this activity be linked with other IPY core activities? If yes please specify
SYSTCO links several Antarctic clusters in a very special respect. SYSTCO is most closely connected with SCAR-EBA and CAML. However, while CAML links all marine biodiversity projects on a more horizontal level, SYSTCO covers a different plain by linking several core activities from atmospheric projects vertically trough the biosphere down to the bottom of the seafloor. In this respect SYSTCO theoretically connects all IPY-clusters.

3.6 How will the activity manage its data? Is there a viable plan and which data management organisations/structures will be involved?
Data will be fed into the SCAR MarBIN database, which in turn will be linked to OBIS, the legacy of the international ten-year project Census of Marine Life (CoML) funded by the Sloan Foundation (USA). Possible involvement of the EoI 409 (data management through the University of Colorado) can not be evaluated further until the strategy of the JC becomes clearer.

3.7 Data Policy Agreement
Will this activity sign up to the IPY draft Data Policy (see website)
Yes

3.8 How will the activity contribute to developing the next generation of polar scientists, logisticians, etc.?
1. through supply of material and data for Master’s and doctoral theses, if possible through active participation of graduate/ doctoral students in the expedition
2. through education and outreach activities such as a website for schools; infrastructure is already in place with the portal of CoML (workshops, interviews, online diaries from board of the vessel during the expedition phase)

3.9 How will this activity address education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
As indicated in the above paragraph 3.8, education and outreach issues can be covered by the infrastructure provided by the Census of Marine Life, the Senckenberg Institute (including the DZMB), and the Alfred Wegener Institute. It is, however, anticipated that the IPY JC will address these issues on a much higher level than single projects- even lead projects- can achieve. To convey a sense of the worldwide scale the IPY has, at least an IPY portal should be established and maintained by personnel other than those directly involved in the research projects.

3.10 What are the proposed sources of funding for this activity?
National Science Foundations of the participating countries will initially fund the budget of each national partner. The country providing the shiptime will cover the bulk of the cost for the realisation of SYSTCO. Additional funds will hopefully be made available via the IPY JC.

3.11 Additional Comments
SYSTCO covers almost all objectives of the IPY science plan with regard to the characteristics of the core activities.
The EoIs 192, 193, 205, 219, 236, 330, 379, 403, 543, 818, 852, 863 are joined under CAML according to agreement between PIs of CAML and SYSTCO.EoIs 159, 172, 197, 554, 807 are considered to have too little overlap with SYSTCO, no cooperation attempted.
Cooperation with EoI 605 is still under discussion.

4.0 CONSORTIUM INFORMATION

4.1 Contact Details

Lead Contact
Prof Angelika Brnadt
Zoological Institute and Museum, University of Hamburg
Martin Luther King-Platz 3 Hamburg
D20146
Germany

Tel:          +49.40.42838-2278
Mobile:   N/A
Fax:         +49.40.42838.3937
Email:       abrandt@zoologie.uni-hamburg.de

Second Contact
Dr Brigitte Hilbig
CeDAMar c/o Lehrstuhl für Spezielle Zoologie, Ruhr-Universität Bochum
Universitätsstr. 150, Bochum
D44780
Germany

Tel:          +49.234.32-24997
Mobile:   N/A
Fax:         +49.234.32-14114
Email:      bhilbig@senckenberg.de

4.2 Other significant consortium members and their affiliation