Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Impact of climate induced glacial melting on marine coastal communities off the Western Antarctic Peninsula  (CLICOPEN)

Outline
On the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP) a recent rapid regional warming with a temperature increase of more than 2.5 oK has been observed over the last 50 years. The glacial systems on the WAP show direct responses to the climatic changes recorded over the last decades, including retreat of ice fronts and increased melt water production. Locally increased fresh water and particle transport are the anticipated primary effects of glacial melting on coastal marine ecosystems. This will entail changes of water column stratification, particulate matter composition and changes in concentrations of nutrients and trace elements (like heavy metals, especially iron). Taken together, these changes will impact primary production of micro- and macroalgae because of reduced light penetration due to high concentrations of suspended particles. Reduced primary production will also affect the quality and quantity of food supply to the benthos. Among the introduced metals, iron is a necessary micronutrient, but can also be hazardous for marine animals at higher concentrations. Combined, this is expected to have a major impact on macro- and meiobenthic community structure, biodiversity and on fitness, reproductive success and generally life history of benthic species. CLICOPEN proposes to monitor glacial retreat at the Antarctic Peninsula and adjacent islands and the effects on coastal systems along a latitudinal gradient on the Antarctic Peninsula. The WAP is an area of special research interest, not only because of the vast glaciological retreat observed here, but also because of the high density of scientific activity on the peninsula and the adjacent islands. We propose a an interdisciplinary program of land based research, currently involving Argentina, Brasil, Canada, Germany, Korea, Sweden and the U.S., to which other countries are invited to contribute within the framework of the IPY. This integrated program involves: a) Satellite image based in situ observations of glacial retreat; b) Field studies involving in situ measurements of physical, sedimentological and biological parameters and experimental research in 2007/08 and c) Assembly of data into the integrated geographic database KGIS, hosted at IPG University of Freiburg, Germany, and into a more extended spatially enabled database covering the entire WAP region, which will be implemented based on SCAR’s Antarctic Spatial Data Infrastructure. This will allow to relate physical and biological changes in the coastal systems to glacial melting and describe the dynamics and spatial patterns of ongoing changes. This will enable to link local effects of current climate warming at the WAP to regional changes of carbon flux and zooplankton communities, observed in the Southern Ocean. Moreover: to evaluate the variations of parameters on local and regional scales.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
CLICOPEN directly addresses IPY themes 1 through 3 and 5: 1) By quantifying the current state of glacial extension at the Western Antarctic Peninsula (WAP), comparing it to historical information on a latitudinal basis; 2) by studying the effects of climate induced glacier melting on different compartments of the coastal marine ecosystems; 3) by linking effects of glacial melting at the WAP to offshore environments along the Antarctic Peninsula, especially via changes of the Antarctic Peninsula Plume (APP); 5) Using the geographic database KGIS, to create an extended spatial database for the entire WAP region, based on SCAR’s Antarctic Spatial Data Infrastructure will enable extended regional management for existing and future data. This will relate parameters in a geographical system and develop simple (linear) models of climate change effects on marine communities for future predictions and comparisons to other Antarctic (and Arctic) systems.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Cooperation currently involves Argentina, Brasil, Canada,Germany, Korea, Sweden, USA. All of these countries have bases or participate in bases along the WAP. Only a joint international effort allows the approach to investigate coastal community change along a latitudinal gradient.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Geographically, the present study is focused on the Western Antarctic Peninsula and the adjacent islands. Year-round operated stations along the latitudinal gradient reach from Esperanza (ARG: 63°23'42"S 56°59'46"W) to Palmer (US : 64°46'30"S 64°03'04"W). Other included stations are Jubany (ARG/GER) and King Sejong (KOR) on King George Island.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: Field work: 01/07 – 12/08      Satellite observations: permanent Modelling: 03/07 – 03/09      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Field work would be based out of existing field stations, operated on a year-round basis. The construction of a new laboratory in Esperanza Station (Argentina) is envisaged in the time frame of the IPY. No specific logistical requirements have to be met for this project. Stations will be shared with other projects during the IPY.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
A new laboratory for biological oceanographic work is to be constructed in Esperanza Station (Hope Bay), which constitutes a legacy of infrastructure for Argentinean scientists, as well as for international cooperating partners. Additionally, an extended database will be implemented, which will allow access to actual national metadata.

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

“operator” in this case qualifies land based Antarctic Stations and research facilities

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes

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 project is based on ongoing and past research programs especially at the Peninsula. As it is developed now, as a multinational, interdisciplinary and integrative approach, it is absolutely new. To our knowledge this is the first approach linking climate change effects in near shore and offshore ecosystems.

How will the project be organised and managed?
A management team of international PIs will integrate and coordinate development and realization of the science plan. National efforts will be coordinated by the respective PI of the country and discussed with the international management group. Joint activities will be proposed in order to maximize networking. The organization of thematic meetings and workshops for the different aspects as well as links between themes will be promoted. Field activities and logistics will be coordinated between participating scientists and national logistic departments.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The program will involve master and doctorate students of connected universities.All Antarctic stations have internet connection, and early results, journal reports and pictures can be disseminated to home universities, schools, general or specific websites. Moreover, contact with media will be promoted by the institutions involved. A school operating in Esperanza Station will be one important link between children sharing the scientific activities and children in the rest of the world.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The integrated geographic database SCAR KGIS http://www.geographie.uni-freiburg.de/ipg/forschung/ap3/kgis/index.php can be used in the proposed program CLICOPEN. A similar but spatially more extended database will be implemented based on components of SCAR’s Antarctic Spatial Data Infrastructure (e.g. the SCAR Feature Catalogue) to allow for interoperability. Metadata from previous research activities are available in all contributing countries.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding for research activities will be asked for at different national and international funding institutions.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
While permanent scientific research activities are sometimes regarded a local hazard for the highly sensitive Antarctic coastal communities, they also help to bring together a detailed data basis. There are, once systematically evaluated, useful platforms for regional-scale impact studies involving synoptic documentation of past and present climate change effects in the area. The multinational team involved in the present project and the use of an already implemented and tested database like KGIS, as a starting point for a more extended database, will facilitate the access to data, information and experience and greatly enhance our knowledge about this highly dynamic system and its role in regional scale processes.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Doris Abele
Alfred-Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research
Am Handelshafen 12, Build. E
Bremerhaven
27570
Germany

Tel: 0049-(0)471-4831-1567
Mobile: 0049 016098370774
Fax: 0049-(0)471-4831-1149
Email:

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Other Information