Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Using Antarctic krill to indicate the Antarctic Environmental Change  (USI)

Outline
USI is a research program using Antarctic krill growth condition to indicate the Antarctic environmental change. People are trying to find some indicators for the marine environmental change, especially for the relationship to the global change. It has been demonstrated that the Antarctic krill will be shrunk if the environment is not suitable for its growth, especially in the food shortage condition, this will affect the biomass of the krill. The Antarctic krill biomass fluctuated from year to year, as the krill is the keystone species in the Antarctic ecosystem, so we can use the krill as an indicator of the southern ocean ecosystem dynamics. From the observations on a laboratory-shrunk population, it shows that when the krill shrunk, the diameter of the compound eye keep remain constant. The mean ratio of the body length to the diameter of the compound eye offers a method for detection the effect of shrinking in natural populations of krill. Using this method to inspect the krill samples taken from the different locations around Antarctica, it shows that the ratio of the body length to the diameter of the compound eye varied, and it can be used to indicate the different environment condition. To compare the ratio in the same location, but different year, it can indicate the interannual change of the krill grow condition. Many countries collect Antarctic krill sample in different area and different time, especially some samples collected in the Austral winter, it will help us understanding the Antarctic krill overwinter strategy and the environmental fluctuation and krill biomass variation. USI will connect with the Census of Marine Life program. The research area will cover all the Antarctic water, especially in the Antarctic peninsula, Weddle Sea, and Prydz Bay area. The time line is November 2004 – 2010 and the main work period coincides with the IPY.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 1: UKI will provide information of the geographical difference of the krill growth condition, to deduce the different environmental condition.Theme 2: Provide the inteannual fluctuation of the Krill growth condition. Deduce the Antarctic environment interannual change.Theme 3: Fluctuation of the Antarctic krill biomass.Theme 4: Using Antarctic krill as a window of the Antarctic ecosystem dynamics.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Antarctic peninsula, Weddle Sea, Prydz Bay, transect circus Antarctica.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 11/2004 – 04/2010            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Chinese Antarctic Expedition supply RV “Xue Long”

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No infrastructures will be left in Antarctica. However, there will be a large meta-data resource that can be used for future earth science programs.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Y or N? The project is "endorsed" in the Chinese National 2006-2010 Antarctic Science Plan, which is currently being reviewed by the Chinese government.

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
This project is a component of the Chinese National 2006-2010 Antarctic Science Plan.

How will the project be organised and managed?
China IPY Scientific Committee will be in charge of coordinating the national and international effort, to insure data delivery and education outreach etc.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data will be stored in the Chinese National Polar Data Base located in Polar Research institute of China. And the data is exchangeable and available with/for IPY scientific communities on request and discussion.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The Chinese national funds will cover the expenses of field investigations. Scientific research is going to be funded by the Ministry of Science and Technology and the National Science Foundation of China.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Professor Song Sun
Institute of Oceanography, Chinese Academy of Sciences
7 Nanhai Road, Qingdao
Victoria,
266071
China

Tel: 86+532+289 8598
Mobile: 86+13708992253
Fax: 86+532+2868008
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information