Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

POLARSTERN expedition “Nordic margin” in the framework of the EU project HERMES “Hotspot Ecosystem Research on the Margins of European Seas”  (HERMES- Nordic margin)

Outline
This proposal is an essential component of the EU funded project HERMES, an integrated project aiming at research on ecosystems lying in the deeper ocean section. We propose a POLARSTERN research expedition covering several types of Arctic margin habitats. The project HERMES is designed to gain new insights into the biodiversity, structure, function and dynamics of ecosystems along Europe’s deep-ocean margin to underpin the future development of a comprehensive European Ocean and Seas Integrated Governance Policy. It represents the first major attempt to understand European deep-water ecosystems and their environment in an integrated way (geosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere of a pan-European range). HERMES aims to compare and contrast selected environments around the European margin from high northern latitudes (focus of this IPY proposal) to the Black Sea. In particular, HERMES will conncentrate on hotspots that are strongly physically mediated and associated with dynamic geological and/or hydrogeological structures, such as unstable slope systems, canyons, deep-water corals, cold seeps and anoxic microbial systems. These important systems require urgent study because of their possible biological fragility, global relevance to carbon cycling and/or susceptibility to catastrophic events and to global change. HERMES will address five key questions. Specifically, the main objectives of HERMES are: - To understand better the natural drivers that control ecosystems. - To understand better the biodiversity and ecosystem function of hotspot ecosystems. - To forecast changes in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning linked to global change. - To develop concepts and strategies for sustainable use of marine resources. - To provide an integrated framework for data management, training, education and outreach. Such integrative systemic science approaches demand international collaboration and the use of sophisticated high-tech equipment and multi-disciplinary research vessels. New state-of-the-art technology is vital for the visualization and investigation of submarine structures and life, and for precision sampling in rugged terrain. Examples are Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), manned submersibles, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs), video guided sampling instruments, high resolution 3D bathymetry and seismics as well as in situ measurement and observation tools, long term monitoring stations, and experimental systems that can retain animals under in situ con-ditions. All these systems will be integrated in HERMES, several for the first time in the Arctic in the frame of this proposal for an international POLARSTERN expedition on the Nordic margin.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The HERMES – Nordic margin project will increase public awareness of the biodiversity and sustainable management of European high latitude ecosystems and marine resources. One of the most innovative aspects of this project will be the integration of geology with biology and physical oceanography for systematic study of Arctic habitats on the Nordic margin. Extensive use of state-of-the-art ROVs and AUVs will allow exploring the seabed north of the polar circle in great detail, place seabed experimental equipment at precise positions. The planned expedition with RV POLARSTERN will combine science, education and outreach and give the project a high media exposure. The international and multidisciplinary nature of this proposal will provide a unique opportunity for young researchers and educators to gain insight into the art of integrated marine polar science.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The proposed cruise is a scheduled contribution to the EU funded Integrated Project HERMES comprising about 40 European institutes, universities and SME’s. Among these partners are scientists from Norway, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Ireland, United Kingdom, France, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Italy and others.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Fram Strait (80° N, 004° E), Norwegian Sea (72° N, 014° E), Barents Sea slope, Svalbard

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The German research vessel and ice breaker “Polarstern” as a proven platform for a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) such as the French “Victor 6000” (or an equivalent), able to house multidisciplinary payload. Probably also the use of an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle as well as the deployment of different observatories. Because of the size of the HERMES project we expect a full ship, including young students and teachers, as well as media representatives. Nevertheless we hope to be able to provide support for other projects depending on the cruise transect and the time plan.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
HERMES Geographic Information SystemThis will be the first pan-European offshore GIS database integrating data useful for environmental, social, legal and political issues. It will become the principal tool for resource managers and policy makers required to make science based management decisions relating to the sustainable development of Europe's offshore resources including high northern latitudes stocks and systems.Secondly it is the first project to combine infrastructure of all major marine research institutions such as SOC, IFREMER, AWI amongst others.

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

The project is funded in total with 15 Mio. Euros from the EU together with contributions from the various institutes of the research consortium.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
It was evaluated by independent international experts and finally granted by the commission with starting date April 2005.The German national IPY committee supported this proposal on its meeting at 11th of January 2005.

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
The project “Hotspot Ecosystem Research on the Margins of European Seas” has been submitted in the framework of Thematic Priority 6.3 “Global Change and ecosystems” in the Frame Programme 6 of the EU. Proposal number is 511234-2, 2005-2009. This proposal of an international expedition covering the Nordic Margin is specifically tailored to the goals of IPY

How will the project be organised and managed?
HERMES is coordinated by Prof. Dr. Phil Weaver, Southampton Oceanographic Centre (SOC). The project management office, funded by the EU, will be based at SOC and will consist of the HERMES coordinator and the project manager (a full-time post for the duration of the project). The Scientific Management Board (SMB) of HERMES will comprise the 11 work package leaders and be chaired by the coordinator. The “Nordic margin” expedition will be planned by the “slope”, “cold seep”, “anoxic microbial habitats” and “coral reef” work packages (WP), together with the cross cutting “Nordic margin”, “data management”, “GIS”, “ecosystem modelling”, “ecosystem management” and “education” WPs. The planning of the research cruise will follow POLARSTERN standards, be supported by AWI logistics, and will be coordinated by Dr. M. Klages who is an experienced chief scientists for international Polarstern expeditions, and the representative of the AWI in HERMES.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
To introduce HERMES to the general public a dedicated WP will set up an integrated framework for education, training and outreach to create teaching aids, training classes for young researchers, offshore industry and employees to enhance public awareness of Arctic and ocean margin ecosystems. Further outreach activities will focus on bringing educators and schools into direct contact with HERMES scientists by establishing long-term educator-researcher partnerships. Specifically we will offer opportunities for teachers and students to participate in the proposed “Nordic margin” cruise in the IPY in 2007.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The data of this project will be archived, published and distributed through the World Data Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences (WDC-MARE) using the information system PANGAEA (http://www.pangaea.de). Data will be stored in a consistent format with related meta-information in a relational database. The network between project partners will be established as a client/server system on the Internet. Data will be geo-coded in time and space allowing the extraction of any subset of data from the inventory, e.g. for further modelling. Besides being a long-term operated archive, the system provides a data mining tool (ART) to support the navigation and interpretation of comprehensive data collections. Additionally, the data will be used for a GIS data base combining the multidisciplinary information

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project is funded for a four years period with a total of 15 Mio Euros from the EU. Additi-onal fundin, especially for the research expeditions, is secured by institutional funding of the participating institutes and universities.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr. Michael Klages
Alfred Wegener Insitute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI)
Am Handelshafen 12
27570 Bremerhaven
Germany

Tel: +49 (0) 471 4831 1302
Mobile: 0160 12 19 071
Fax: +49 (0) 471 4831 1776
Email:

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