Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Circumpolar freshwater lake research and data management network  (Circumpolar Lakes 4 Future)

Outline
The polar regions at the Northern hemisphere have myriads of freshwater lakes that are integrated parts of the polar biome and thus are irrevocable sites for many ecosystem processes. Freshwater lakes are essential in many ways as they provide breeding habitats for birds, are the nursing ground for many insect larval stages, host valuable fish populations (salmon, charr and trout), act as buffer zones for melt waters, provides drinking water and transportation corridors for wild life and humans. Arctic lakes differ from the temperate lakes in a number of ways. The most obvious being the physical and chemical conditions that often imply a very harsh environment with low nutrient variability, low temperatures, long ice coverage and highly variable microclimate. The biodiversity as well as productivity of species in such lakes is often low and the foodweb structures often simple. This implies that arctic lakes are vulnerable to disturbance – of almost any kind (air pollution, over exploitation, eutrophication and climate changes). Recent studies have shown that the coupling between pelagic and benthic food webs in arctic aquatic environments is very important for the cycling of organic matter. It is also clear that the low productivity of most Arctic lakes forces the biota to a very efficient utilization of recourses and that prey-predator interactions work in a strong manner. However, it is necessary to improve and the understanding of ecosystem structure, food web behaviour and productivity in Arctic lakes along geographical gradients in order to enables the best management practices and protection of such ecosystems for the future. It is therefore suggested to establish and fund a strong circumpolar freshwater research network within the IPY themes that can facilitate this goal. The most significant advances within the framework of IPY will be to enforce the research, educational and communication relationships across countries and cultures in the Arctic region. By bringing researcher together that are expects in their fields and/or regions, the network will be able to provide a profound base of knowledge of physical, chemical and biological characteristics of lakes in the Arctic region. By including young scientist as well as training aspect this initiative foster a new generation of scientists that are prepared to take action in international decision and research communities. The networking activities will also include joint expeditions that serve 1) to exploit areas previously not studied because of logistic and/or resources reasons and 2) to share technical and scientific skills between research teams that are not yet co-working.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Establishing and funding of the circumpolar network will provide numerous advances of which a few are highlighted: ►A profound knowledge of physical and chemical sizes and scales as well as of biotic characteristics (distribution of species, dispersal) of Arctic freshwater lakes through time and space. ►Creation of databases holding information that can enable national as well as international decision makers and research communities to manage the sensitive arctic ecosystems in a changing world. ►Strengthen of educational, outreach and communication relationships across borders and cultures.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Existing network countries includes Denmark, Greenland, The Faroe Island, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Partners from countries that have agreed to join: USA, Canada, Finland. Countries that will be approached in order to join: Russia and Siberia. Additional but not yet identified partners are welcomed.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Circumpolar including Alaska, Canada, Greenland, Svalbard, Lapland, Russia and Siberia.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/07 – 09/07       01/08 – 12/08      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Fixed winged transportation aircraft, helicopters, ATW and snow scooters for air and land transportation (possibly also ships for assessing coastal regions). Deposition of material for research and lodging by aircraft is expected to be necessary in some cases. Permanent (= existing) as well as temporally and mobile field station. The latter as fully integrated units that can be build up and packed down in extreme environments.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
It may leave permanent and/or mobile research facilities in e.g. Siberia that may assist further research groups if needs can be identified. Also, infrastructures for hosting and maintaining databases, establishing educational practices and developing e-learning facilities.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
National agency
Military support
Own support
Other sources of support

Since the project is strongly based on international collaboration it is expected that the most optimal logistic solutions are obtained through joint actions.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The Danish National Committee for the International Polar Year has decided to provide a general project endorsement at this stage. The letter can´t be enclosed but will be forewarded on reguest.

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?
New
The project takes set off in a 6 y Nordic research network (NORLAKE 1998-2004) established under NARP (Council of Ministers) with 25+ freshwater researchers from Denmark, The Faroe Islands, Norway, Sweden and Iceland. An extension of the network with researcher from USA, Canada, Finland, Russia and Siberia has been agreed upon during 2 international meetings (2003-04) with a wished implementation at the onset of the IPY.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Each partner provides one experienced scientist for a steering committee that will act as a link between the national group and the network. The steering committee makes all the necessary agreements through 1-2 annual physical meetings and numerous online meetings. The committee is headed by the main applicant Working groups within the network is established at an early stage and is expected to take lead in one or several subtasks. Provided proper funding it is expected to employ a least one younger scientist or technician part-time for keeping all communication and economic records up to date and one fulltime scientist to compile and maintain data and databases.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Education is integrated through workshops, seminars and courses at an international standard and for both Bsc, Msc and PhD students. Outreach is secured through extensive documentation of key features in magazines, television and internet. Communication of research activities and scientific findings is obtained mainly through peer-reviewed scientific journals. An UOC plan will be provided at al later stage.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The existing NORLAKE database (presently hosted by the NERI, Denmark) representing ca. 400 northern lakes will be assessable for all participants and will be extend by data provide through the new partners as well as by data obtained through joint expeditions during IPY. Collaboration with other databases such as ENVIORN-NET is expected.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding is obtained primarily by applying national foundations and councils for support to joint expeditions, meetings, courses and consumerables as well as other form for logistic needs. International funding agencies (European Science Foundation, EU and NATO) will also be considered as potential financial sources. Finally, specific national private foundations will be targeted in some cases.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
At present there is no cooperative partner fra Russia or Siberia bur several of the national groups have contact to research communities in and these contact will be use to integrate scientists form these regions. A forthcoming large European/American congress on aquatic ecology (ASLO) will be the obvious platform to initiate networking. The main applicant was co-coordinator of the previous NORLAKE project.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Kirsten Christoffersen
Freshwater Biological Laboratory
Helsingoersgade 51
Hilleroed
3400
Denamrk

Tel: +45 3532 1936
Mobile: +45 2342 0422
Fax:
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information