Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Dynamics, Fluxes, Stability and Succession in Cold Environments  (DYNAFLUX)

Outline
Within Europe there is a wide array of high-latitude landscapes in cold environments, covering a significant proportion of the total land area. These sub-arctic and arctic landscapes represent a variety of stages of deglaciation history. In some areas ice retreat is still ongoing; in others this process was terminated several thousand years ago. Thus, we have landscapes at different levels of postglacial stabilization providing a unique possibility to study and compare the interactions of abiotic and biotic processes under human impacts and global change at the land surface. DYNAFLUX – Dynamics, Fluxes, Stability and Succession in Cold Environments aims at bridging between abiotic, biotic and social sciences in order to investigate the complex dynamics of stabilisation, succession and landscape formation during and after deglaciation/ice retreat and under human impacts and global change. This new Training Programme challenges key issues in the International Polar Year and builds on mainly three large ongoing programmes: SEDIFLUX – Sedimentary Source-to-Sink Fluxes in Cold Environments (ESF Network), APEX – the Arctic Palaeoclimate and its Extremes (proposed ESF Project), and RENMAN (EU Project). The special focus of DYNAFLUX is on five carefully selected target areas, which are representative for five different cold climate landscapes and different stages of stabilisation and landscape development during and after ice retreat. The Larsbreen catchment on Svalbard is a high arctic environment and is characterized by a retreating glacier, continuous permafrost with intensive active layer processes, and a very low level of stability. The northern Hofsjøkull forefield (Iceland) is characterized by rapid glacier retreat and permafrost degradation in a subarctic-oceanic environment. Erdalen in Norway is only to a smaller extent covered by the quickly retreating Erdalsbreen glacier. Latnjavagge (Sweden) is, compared to that, only covered by permanent ice and snow patches, sporadic permafrost, and this catchment has clearly passed the phase of high instability during or directly after deglaciation several thousand years ago. Kidisjoki (Finland) is clearly the most stable test catchment with no permanent ice and snow patches, no larger permafrost bodies, and a several thousand years lasting period of postglacial stabilisation and landscape formation. The DYNAFLUX programme, including 15 partner groups with leading scientists from 13 European countries, representing a wide range of geoscientific, ecological, genetical and social sciences fields, is linking highly qualified research teams across Europe. In this way DYNAFLUX provides a cross-disciplinary integration that has hitherto rarely been brought about. With these joint efforts, DYNAFLUX forms an excellent platform for a Research Training Network where younger scientists come together for cross-disciplinary field and laboratory work campaigns in an environment of skilled research teams. DYNAFLUX fosters young researchers with a cross-disciplinary approach and broad knowledge in natural systems, advanced techniques, and significant interactions between natural systems and human beings. DYNAFLUX also addresses questions of utmost importance with regard to Global Change (e.g. the increasing frequency of hazards, floods, the destabilization of slope systems due to permafrost degradation, the loss of biodiversity in all of its aspects, etc.). It is our intention that DYNAFLUX will form a key programme for European Arctic and Sub-Arctic research during IPY 2007/2008.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
A major focus of DYNAFLUX is on understanding of past and present-day interactions between biotic and abiotic processes during and after ice retreat and under human impacts and Global Change (Themes 1-3 and 6). The programme also addresses the adaptation of indigenous and local populations to Global Change and its direct consequences (Theme 6). The integration of geo-, bio- and social sciences in a large multi-national Training Programme is a novel approach, and also target areas being so far unexplored will be investigated (Target 2, Theme 4). The better understanding of the complex interactions between biotic and abiotic processes during and after ice retreat and under human impacts and Global Change will provide significant knowledge and innovative training of the new generation of young polar researchers. These outcomes are essential for efficient risk assessment (hazards) and the competent development of new land management strategies in the polar regions (Themes 5 and 6).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
DYNAFLUX is a cross-disciplinary and multi-national Research Training Network, which includes intensive international collaboration in training, field work, laboratory work, model development, publishing and dissemination. The programme includes scientists from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Denmark, UK (England and Scotland), Germany, Poland, Czech Republik, The Netherlands, Austria, and France.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The selected target areas/field study sites (see 1.3) are located in Svalbard (Larsbreen), Iceland (northern Hofsjøkull forefield), Norway (Erdalen), Sweden (Latnjavagge) and Finland (Kidisjoki).

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The logistic support for DYNAFLUX is mainly provided by the involved institutions, based on national funding, and includes field stations, laboratories, vessel etc. No major additional field logistic support from other sources is required. Anyway, additional financial support for extended field activities, especially extended field campaigns of Ph.D. students and Post-Docs carried out in the DYNAFLUX target areas, would be very helpful. The DYNAFLUX workshops in Trondheim (NGU, Norway), Abisko (ANS, Sweden), Kiel (Uni Kiel, Germany) and Obergurgl (Austria) will be held at well established institutions/research stations. Economic support for these workshops, especially for supporting participating young scientists, is necessary.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
DYNAFLUX is a Training Network headed by a DYNAFLUX Core Group (see 3.2). The DYNAFLUX Training Network is planned to continue beyond IPY as a EU FP6 Marie-Curie Research Training Network (RTN) committed to the cross-disciplinary and multi-national training of young scientists (Ph.D. students and Post-Docs). DYNAFLUX builds today on mainly three large programmes: SEDIFLUX, APEX, and RENMAN (see 1.3). The infrastructure legacy includes intellectual advances, cross-disciplinary and multi-national institutional collaboration, and innovative cross-disciplinary and multi-national training of the new generation of polar scientists.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

The DYNAFLUX Training Network rests on already existing infrastructure and logistics at the involved institutions. Ongoing activities are based on national funding of the involved partner groups (well established field research stations, modern laboratories, research vessel, helicopter transport, etc.) (see also 2.3).

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Y This Expression of Intent has been submitted as copy to the National IPY Committees of Norway, Germany, France, Finland and Sweden (by members of the DYNAFLUX Core Group).

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
DYNAFLUX is an existing Network. Ongoing activities of involved partners are based on existing infrastructure and logistics and on national funding. The existing DYNAFLUX Network will be submitted as EU FP6 Marie-Curie Research Training Network (RTN) Proposal to EU (submission in September 2005). The DYNAFLUX Marie-Curie RTN is planned to run over four years (2006-2010) and thus beyond IPY

How will the project be organised and managed?
The existing DYNAFLUX Core Group consists of seven scientists from geo- and bio-sciences:Achim A. Beylich, Coordinator of DYNAFLUX (Norway) (geo-science)Manfred Bölter (Germany) (bio-science)Christian Brochmann (Norway) (bio-science)Samuel Etienne (France) (geo-science)Jukka Käyhkö (Finland) (geo-science)Eiliv Larsen (Norway) (geo-science)Ulf Molau (Sweden) (bio-science)The DYNAFLUX Core Group appoints the Management Board of the planned Marie-Curie RTN DYNAFLUX, which consists of the Heads of the 15 partner groups involved in the project. The coordinating institution (Geological Survey of Norway, Trondheim) is planning to appoint a secretary within the proposed Marie-Curie RTN..

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
DYNAFLUX is focused on cross-disciplinary and multi-national training of Ph.D. students and Post-Docs. A higher number of Master students, Ph.D. students and Post-Docs will work within this programme. A frequently up-dated and easily accessible DYNAFLUX webpage will be installed at the Geological Survey of Norway in Trondheim. Dissemination of activities and outputs is also guaranteed through large international networks closely linked with DYNAFLUX (SEDIFLUX, APEX, RENMAN). Four workshops, publications in leading journals, the production of a DVD, and an international press release are planned for the proposed Marie-Curie RTN DYNAFLUX (Submission of EU proposal in September 2005).

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
A DYNAFLUX database will be established. Current plans for data management include also the use of the SEDIFLUX database being currently developed at the Geological Survey of Norway in Trondheim.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The existing DYNAFLUX Network is based on existing infrastructure and logistics and on national funding of involved partners.A proposal for an EU FP6 Marie-Curie Research Training Network (RTN) DYNAFLUX will be submitted by the coordinator to EU in September 2005.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
DYNAFLUX is an innovative approach for a cross-disciplinary and multi-national Research Training Network. It is focused on cross-disciplinary and multi-national training/education of Ph.D. students and Post-Docs and communication between these young scientists forming the new generation of polar scientists.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Achim A. Beylich
Geological Survey of Norway


NO-7491 Trondheim
Norway

Tel: +47 73 90 4117
Mobile:
Fax: +47 73 92 1620
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information