Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Circumpolar distribution and breeding biology of the Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) and potential responses to climate change.  (Gyrfalcon Responses to Climate Change)

Outline
The Gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) is the most northerly diurnal raptor and is restricted in its breeding distribution to Arctic and sub-Arctic environments. Hence, not only is it an apex terrestrial predator that is likely to be a sensitive bioindicator of the environs in which it inhabits, it is also likely to be significantly impacted by an expansion or retraction of the cold weather climates to which it is adapted. Also, though there has been much research on physical and climatological processes, marine ecosystems, and nutrient cycling related to climate change and to some extent, effects on habitat, less attention has been paid to climate change in terrestrial apex avian predators. Some Gyrfalcon populations are exhibiting changes in breeding phenology as evident in trends documenting a shift toward earlier hatch dates in the Yukon Territories, Canada possibly as a response to a warming environment (D. Mossop, pers. com). Therefore, it is important to: 1) look for similar shifts in breeding phenology across the circumpolar Arctic. and 2) document current breeding phenology, biology, and distribution across the Arctic during the International Polar Year (IPY) to serve as a baseline for future IPY studies. Specifically, we hypothesize that Gyrfalcons may be affected by warming climates by: 1) Increased shrub cover in previously open tundra affecting foraging ability. 2) Increased spring storm severity and/or earlier arrival of spring changing breeding phenology and hatching success. We propose a large-scale, collaborative effort that will link Arctic biologists currently studying this species and those who have done so in the past to document, in detail, a suite of breeding biology variables. The concurrent, consistent, and meticulous documentation of these variables at study sites across the Arctic will be a powerful tool to investigate how Gyrfalcons are responding to climate change and be a valuable asset to future investigations. Additionally, at some locations, data on these variables exists from previous research spanning the past 50-70 years. At these locations, current data will be compared to the historical data sets to investigate long-term changes. Specifically, we are most interested in investigating: 1) Changes in the breeding phenology. 2) Changes in the Gyrfalcon’s breeding distribution, particularly at the southern and northern most extents of the specie’s boundaries where we expect potential effects to be most evident. An investigation of this geographic scope requires methods that are flexible and that can be incorporated in various research designs. Hence, data on the breeding phenology (egg laying, hatching, and fledging date), the spatial distribution of nest locations will be collected by various means including helicopter, fixed-wing, boat, and ground surveys as well as more detailed information from those collaborators spending an entire field season studying the species.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
There is no current network linking raptor ecologist across the Arctic and no framework exists for the collection and analysis of circumpolar temporal and spatial data on this important bioindicator. Thus, there are significant barriers to documenting widespread effects of climate change on terrestrial systems; this project would reduce these barriers. Therefore, through international collaboration in measuring the phenology and geographic distribution of nesting Gyrfalcons, this project will significantly advance our ability to determine the present environmental status of the Arctic region by quantifying spatial and temporal attributes of an important bioindicator of Arctic terrestrial systems.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
We expect collaborators from Canada, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States will participate in the project.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The Arctic and sub-Arctic regions of Canada, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/07 – 09/07      04/08 – 09/08      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We will use helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, and boats operated out of various villages/towns/cities across the areas mentioned above. These can be shared with other projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Military support
Commercial operator
Own support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Yes
Various collaborators conduct annual Gyrfalcon field research that can greatly contribute to this project. Hence, these existing and ongoing projects will be a component of the overall project.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organized and managed by a team consisting of two individuals from each participating nation. Decisions will be by consensus of this team. All collaborators will have equal authorship rights to any subsequent publications; lead authorship will be by the team members or, if originally proposed by a non-team collaborator, by that collaborator.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Collaborators in each nation will form an educational mentorship with elementary education students of that nation. Collaborators will provide these students classroom presentations, direct interactions during the field season, and opportunities for pen-pal relationships with students from other nations.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Meta-data and non-sensitive data will be archived in the World Data Center for Biodiversity and Ecology. Specific nest site location data are considered sensitive; we are currently investigating appropriate archive locations.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National funding agencies. Ongoing studies that are currently funded will continue with their respective funding source.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr Travis Booms
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Biology and Wildlife Dept., 211 Irving I
Fairbanks, AK
99709
USA

Tel: 907-456-1331
Mobile:
Fax:
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information