Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Investigation of the Southern Ocean biota (benthic and pelagic ECOology of the ANTarctic Region)  (ECOANT)

Outline
Using of the vessels of an icebreaker class such as REV “Academic Fedorov”, research and fishery research vessels for a study of species composition, taxonomic structure, distribution patterns and ecology benthic, planctonic and nectonic organisms occupying the Antarctic and adjacent waters of the Southern Ocean. Processing and interpretation of the obtained data with the purposes: 1) clarification of biodiversity of the Antarctic biota; 2) determination of quantitative characters of distribution macrobenthic (invertebrates) and nectonic (fishes and squids) animals; 3) effect of the abiotic factors of an environment, commercial fishery and logistics activity in the water areas of the regions of location of the polar stations on the distribution patterns of the Antarctic animals; 4) creation of base for realization of the biological monitoring in the coastal regions of the science researches.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Development of the fundamental submissions about taxonomic structure, geographical and vertical distribution patterns and functioning of the Antarctic biota, separate species of it, communities and ecosystems; about possible paths of the formation of the Antarctic marine fauna; its qualitative modifications in connection with processes of the global climatic changes; receiving of supplementary data for creating of the bases of the biological monitoring system and new information for following disciplines: "oceanology", "ichthyology" and “regional and general hydrobiology” in the high schools.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Possible cooperation with the biologists of Alfred Wegener Institute, Institute of Polar Ecology (Bremerhaven and Kiel, Germany), Center of the Antarctic researches of Polish Academy of Sciences (Warsaw, Poland), National Center Antarctic and Oceanic researches of India (Goa, India) in realization of joint researches in some expeditions by a complex of the modern equipment for the collection and preservation of marine organisms. Coordination of researches with other projects IPY and national programs providing realization of complex study of the Antarctic waters of the Southern Ocean and adjacent seas (the Project 11 “To conduct complex studies of the Antarctic biota” within the framework of a subprogram “Study and a research of Antarctic Region” FCP “World Ocean” - 2003-2007 and “Long-term Interstate programs in the field of cooperation of a Science and Technology between India and Russia 2002-2008 ”).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
1). The near antarctic continent seas of the Southern Ocean: the Davis Sea, Scotia Sea, Lasarev and Sodruzhestva Seas (Pruds Bay), Weddell Sea.2). Continental slope of the Antarctic seas and the basin of ocean flow of the Southern Ocean, including underwater submerged ridges: South-Anthill Ridge, Gunnerus Ridge and Mode Bank.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: December 2006 – May 2007      December 2007 – May 2008      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
It is necessary to supply a possibility of the equipment and use of a vessel such as R/V “Academic Fedorov” or a fishery research vessel such as "Antarctida". These ships could be used by other contributors working on the program IPY, within the framework of a complex inspection of data of investigated water areas.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Probably, Yes. If the fishery by the Russian vessels will be developing in the area.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Russian Academy of Sciences.Federal Programme “World Ocean”Russian Antarctic ExpeditionOrganizing Committee of the Russian Federation for the IPY 2007/2008Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

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 supposed to be executed within the framework of the Project 11 “To conduct complex study Antarctic biota” of Subprogram “Study and research of Antarctic Region” Federal Program “World Ocean” - 2003-2007 with a prolongation on the period during 2008-2012.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The researches under the project will be prepared, to be organized and to be operated at the national level for want of by constant of coordination with the plans of the realization of international and other national projects in the frameworks of IPY, including through ??RI Roshydromet and All-Russian Research Institute of Fishery and Oceanography of the Federal Agency on Fishery of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russian Federation. The project will be carry out within the frames of Subprogram “Antarctica”, Federal Programme “World Ocean”, Russian Antarctic Expedition and IPY Program of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The outcomes of the project will be widely represented in the reports and publications and may be used in the courses of oceanology, hydrobiology and ichthyology for distribution of the newest knowledge about biota of the Antarctic Region and its function in the education programs and possible fishery using its marine biological resources by Russian fisheries. For treatment of the collected materials the students of high schools and young experts will be involved.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The obtained data, after treatment and publication of the main results of the researches, will be integrated in domestic and international data banks as agreed with countries and organizations performing similar researches in the Antarctic Region.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Prospective sources of financing: Federal budget and, probably, some international financial sources.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Senior scientist Alexey Vadimovich Neyelov
Zoological Institute of RAS


199034 Saint-Petersburg
Russia

Tel: 7 (812)-328-06-12
Mobile:
Fax: 7 (812)-328-29-41
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information