Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Teaching Thermoregulation  (Thermoregulation)

Outline
The activity can be split in two parts. The first one is about explaining the basics of thermoregulation by using thermographic images. A lot of animals have a very interesting story to tell about: how they save energy, how they stay comfortable, why they are never sick, not obese or how they build structures to survive winter. The interesting thing of thermographics is that’s all about surface-temperature. So it’s easy to compare sea lions with African lions, zebra’s or vultures, they all look alike through an infrared camera. But they are all adapted in different ways to the thermal environment. The collection also shows what a major, but invisible factor temperature is for their survival and appearance. Over the past two years we made a pretty big collection (also: polar bears, polar foxes, sea lions, walruses, seals and reindeers) which can be used for educational projects. So if they are useful for existing educational projects, please let us know. This is probably far more efficient than starting a new educational project about thermoregulation. You can find some images at www.nutscode.com. The second part is about registering the Spitsbergen landscape with an infrared camera. We were invited to join a known polar photographer Wim van Passel ( www.tijdlozemomenten.nl ) on a trip in august to Spitsbergen with our infrared camera. For this project we are looking for organisations interested in this kind of images and are willing to finance part of the trip.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
I think thermoregulation is a keyword for a lot of environmental related problems. It has to do with food and drinks, heating houses, air-conditioning and even clothing. I think the animal thermoregulation system became superior to the human thermoregulation system in the past few decades. Polar animals like the polar bear, polar foxes and walruses are the biggest winners of this thermoregulation contest of the whole world. Anything will survive in the tropics, look at the enormous biodiversity in this kind of “easy regions”. So if you want to teach about thermoregulation the polar bear and walrus are the best teachers. Even it’s a not very common know technique, thermographics can be inspiring enough to tell the story.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Projects, museums and science centres from all over the world can use the images after agreement for exhibition purposes.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
For the second part of the project: A boat trip around Spitsbergen with a lot of trips to the mainland to make thermographics of the landscapes.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 08-2007 – 09/2007            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
None, facilities are already organised

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Another national polar operator
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?

The first part using thermographics is part of existing activities The second part, registering Spitsbergen is a new proposal, with a lot of links to the existing collection of course.

How will the project be organised and managed?
By three parties: www.nutscode.com, creative part www.tservice.nl, technical part www.tijdlozemomenten.nl, organisation and technical advise

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The new images (landscapes) would be combined with the existing images, together they are able to create more respect for the high-tech way nature is organised, and that thermoregulating tools of the animals and closely attached to their habitat.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Partly by own investment, partly by finding organisation interested in the thermographic results on forehand, partly by selling the existing thermographic images of polar animals. The total budget required is about €11.000.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Vlooswijk Vlooswijk
Nutscode
Dreesstraat 12, Sint-Oedenrode
5491 CH
Netherlands

Tel: (0031)413479531
Mobile:
Fax: (0031)413474242
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information