Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The Thermal State of Permafrost (TSP): A Contribution from Portugal to an International Network of Permafrost Observatories (INPO) by IPA  (TSP-PORTUGAL)

Outline
TSP-PORTUGAL is integrated in the IPA project TSP, which will measure temperatures in existing and new boreholes over a fixed time period to provide a “snapshot” of permafrost temperatures in both time and space. There is currently no global database that defines the thermal state of permafrost within a specific time period. Existing temperature measurements were obtained at various depths and periods over five or more decades. We know, however that these temperatures have changed, at variable rates, in different regions. The acquired temperature data set will serve as a baseline assessing the rate of change of near-surface permafrost temperatures and permafrost boundaries, to validate climate model scenarios, and for temperature reanalysis. TSP, a component of the Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P), addresses broader concerns related to a warming Earth and the attendant societal issues in its high-latitude and high-mountain regions. The Thermal State of Permafrost (TSP) objectives and plan are to: 1) Obtain a set of standardized temperature measurements in all permafrost regions of Planet Earth (snapshot); 2) Produce a global data set and maps of contemporary permafrost ground temperatures; 3) Increase the number of GTN-P borehole and active layer sites; 4) Provide measurement strategies and protocols; 5) Contribute data to verify models and reanalysis approaches for past, present and future permafrost and active layer temperatures and scenarios; 6) Report initial results at 2008 conferences (including modelling and mapping). The contribution of Portugal to TSP will be conducted in the framework of the project “Permafrost and active layer monitoring and modelling in Livingston and Deception islands (Permamodel)” that is now in the process of submission for funding for the period 2005-08. Portugal participates in this project through the research group of the Centre for Geographical Research, University of Lisbon (CEG-UL) that works in the Antarctic in collaboration with the group of the Department of Physics of the University of Alcalá de Henares, Spain (UAH). The main objectives of the project are: 1) to make two boreholes to monitor permafrost temperatures, one located in Livingston Island (Hurd Peninsula) and the other in Deception Island; 2) to use climate data for transient modelling of ground temperatures; 3) to use inverse modelling approaches to determine climate signals from ground temperature data; 4) to model permafrost distribution; 5) to compare permafrost modelling results with landforms and active geomorphological processes. The results obtained from the monitoring activities will be submitted to GTN-P.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The acquired permafrost temperatures and related data sets will serve as a “snapshot” for the establishment of a baseline against which to assess future changes in permafrost, to validate climate model scenarios, and provide data for reanalysis of past ground temperature (Themes 1 and 2). Many of these issues will be addressed in future IPCC assessments and TSP results will provide authoritative documentation on existing conditions and changes.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The TSP project is coordinated internationally by the International Permafrost Association (IPA), an organization affiliated to the IUGS and IGU and partner in the Year of Planet Earth. The SCAR Expert Group on Permafrost collaborates also in the Antarctic part of TSP. Portugal will collaborate in this project with Spain (Univ. Alcalá), Switzerland (Univ. Zurich) and Argentina (Univ. Nacional de Salta).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
TSP involves all permafrost regions of the Earth in which boreholes are available or will be drilled during the IPY, and where associated active layer and climate data exist. TSP-PORTUGAL field activities will be conducted in the South Shetlands (Antarctic Peninsula Region) with focus in Livingston and Deception Islands.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 12/2006-02/2007      12/2007-02/2008      12/2008-02/2009

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
New boreholes will be drilled near the Spanish Antarctic Stations in Livingston and Deception Islands. Drilling equipment will be used and transported by ship from Europe. Helicopter transport may be needed. The equipment will be also used in ANTPAS project from SCAR SSGG on Antarctic Permafrost and Periglacial Environments.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
TSP seeks to establish permanent permafrost borehole observatories on lands that are protected from human disturbances and in conjunction with other environmental research. TSP-PORTUGAL will leave a legacy of ground temperature monitoring boreholes that will operate in the future and contribute to WMO/FAO/IPA Global Terrestrial Network – Permafrost (GTN-P).

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

support from private foundations

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
TSP-PORTUGAL EoI is coordinated by Gonçalo Vieira, which is organising the National Committee for the IPY. IPA members have been asked to include reference to TSP in their IPY activities. The TSP was approved by the IPA Council in 2003 and is incorporated into activities of the SCAR Expert Group on Permafrost and Periglacial Environments.

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?
Exp
CEG-UL group collaborates with the UAH group in projects focusing on monitoring of active layer and permafrost temperatures and of meteorological conditions in Livingston and Deception Islands. TSP-PORTUGAL contemplates the drilling of new deeper boreholes in the framework of the ongoing colaboration. Existing boreholes are candidate to GTN-P.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The CEG-UL group (coord. Gonçalo Vieira) works in collaboration with the UAH-Spain group (coord. Miguel Ramos). Team members will participate at IPA-TSP workshops in international meetings in order to coordinate activities at an international level. Regional TSP-PORTUGAL project meetings will be promoted.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
At the national level the actions concerning EOC include: admission of young researchers and students, organization of conferences for the general public, special sessions in scientific conferences and workshops, disseminate information by the media through regular press-releases with project news and results, and international student exchanges are planned.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Results will be included in the database of the Spanish National Antarctic Data Center that is connected to the Antarctic Master Directory (AMD). Ground temperature data will be available at the GIFA-UAH web site with a mirror site at CEG-UL. Permafrost data will be periodically submitted to GTN-P.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The CEG-UL will submit a proposal with the UAH group in January 2005 to the Spanish Antarctic Programme. Other proposals are being prepared to submit to Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (MCIES – Portugal) in the next call for scientific proposals 2005/06. Funding by Portuguese private foundations will be attempted.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The CEG-UL is working in collaboration with the UAH-Spain group since 1999 in the framework of the Spanish Antarctic Programme. TSP-PORTUGAL can be an excellent opportunity to advance officially with Portuguese funding for polar research and to attract political and social attention towards the polar regions, since Portugal has no polar programme (IPY additional criteria: “Includes nations not traditionally involved in polar research”).

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Goncalo Vieira
Centro de Estudos Geograficos / Centre for Geographical Research
Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Letras
Alameda da Universidade
1600-214 Lisboa
Portugal

Tel: +351 217940218
Mobile: +351 966475980
Fax: +351 217938690
Email:

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