Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Arctic & Antarctic Fjord Taxa Biodiversity Inventory  (AATBI)

Outline
Hornsund (77oN) on Svalbard, have been selected as European Biodiversity Site for the full inventory of marine taxa by EU project BIOMARE. Polish marine researchers studying the fjord since early 80-ties are organising international effort to fulfil this goal. Simultaneously the Antarctic fjord- Admiralty Bay on King Georg Island (63oS) has been studied extensively since late 70-ties, and large taxonomic collections are being worked out. Project aims to present as complete as possible taxonomic lists of all metazoan marine organisms inhabiting both polar fjords. The aim of this exercise is to compare the patterns of diversity from two polar regions, on different level of taxonomic distinctness and provide a proxy for the studies on changing polar biodiversity.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Project will provide the first ever complete taxonomic list form the polar fjords, from the minute worms to the whales, thus it will allow to assess the present state of the systems. Project will organise a massive, user friendly data set, available to the public on the internet, this will serve as educational and communication tool.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Broad international collaboration within EU funded Network of Excellence MARBEF, database initiatives like BIANZO and others.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Hornsund fjord, Svalbard, 77oN, 15oE Admiralty Bay, Kinge George Isl. South Shetland Arch. 62o10’S, 58o30’W

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07-08/2005 – 07-08/2010            
Antarctic: 01/2005 – 01/2010            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Research vessels r/v OCEANIA, LANCE, JAN MAYEN in Arctic Supply vessel HORYZONT in Antarctic , any other available ship.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
MARBEF – the VIth EU Framework Program Network of Excellence based on recommendation from BIOMARE Vth FP Concerted Action, are organising international effort to study the biodiversity patterns in selected marine localities. Both proposed sites were approved.

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?
Expansion
This is a component of ongoing coordinated projects, which are going to be structured and integrated under the IPY umbrella.

How will the project be organised and managed?
International steering committee

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Creation of dedicated, open for public web page , presenting full taxonomic lists from both sites

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

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Various funds from national agencies to the EU and ESF agencies

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Jan Marcin Weslawski
Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences
Street Powstancow Warszawy 55
Sopot
81-712
Poland

Tel: 048-58-5517283
Mobile:
Fax: 048-58-5512130
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information