Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Comparison of the ecological processes in two contrasting regions of Antarctica: Ross Sea and Antarctic Peninsula  (RO.SE.PEN)

Outline
Ross Sea is the last marine ecosystem not yet exploited by man. It is covered by ice for nearly nine month in a year and the distribution, abundance and behaviour of all the species in this region are regulated only by natural factors. On the contrary Antarctica Peninsula is the Antarctic region that first was attacked by man. It is free of ice most of year. Its biotic resources (fish, krill, marine mammals) have been exploited for decades and some species were over-exploited, exotic species were introduced, mineral exploration was attempted. There is an urgent need to monitor, analyse and assess the ecological changes caused by human impact in the Antarctic Peninsula Region so that answers may be available when advise is sought to develop similar activities in other regions of Antarctica and in particular in the Ross Sea. The study of the contrasting nature and history of two emblem regions of Antarctica will allow to learn much more about the past and to be in a better situation to forecast future trend of the whole Antarctica. The proposed activities within the RO.SE.PEN project are: 1) To reconstruct the history of physics (hydrography), chemistry (nutrient, chemical pollutants) and biological ( plankton, krill, cephalopods, fish, birds, marine mammals) processes in the two regions over the last decades. 2) To emphasise the differences between the two target regions in the ecological processes and in the human influence on them. 3) To re-survey the two regions. The re-survey should include a census of marine life (plankton, krill, cephalopods, fish, birds, marine mammals) through joint cruises, a census of birds and seals along the coasts, hydro graphic and chemical samplings. The Ross Sea region has been studied by three countries (Italy, New Zeland and United States) for almost two decades. The Antarctica Peninsula has been intensely studied since the BIOMASS programme by many countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Japan, Poland, South Africa, Russia, U.K., U.S.A. There is high need of international coordination for using comparable methods in examining the historical data, for planning and executing the new joint surveys, in modelling the results.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
RO.SE.PEN activity: 1) will document the present biological and environmental status in Antarctica taking the Ross Sea and Antarctica Peninsula as paradigms (Theme 1: present environment status of the polar regions); 2) will provide ideal opportunities for studying ecological processes and ecosystem dynamics in two key regions of Antarctica, from which we may learn how to better and preserve the physical and biological Antarctic environment (Theme 2: to understand change and improve predictions); 3) will monitor and analyse the effects of the impact of human societies on the fragile environment of Antarctica and its biota (Theme 6: Human societies in polar regions)

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The RO.SE.PEN will be carried out by research groups operating in the two contrasting regions: Ross Sea (Italy, New Zeland, USA), Antarctic Peninsula (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Japan, Poland, South Africa, Russia, U.K., U.S.A). q2_1_Location : RO.SE.PEN is focussed on the Ross Sea (CCAMLR statistical area 88.1) and on Antarctica Peninsula (CCAMLR statistical area 48.1).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 12/2007 – 02/2008            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Marine activities of RO.SE.PEN need two full equipped ice-breakers: one operating in the Ross Sea (RV ITALICA) and the other in Antarctica Peninsula. Facilities must include: scientific acoustic systems, CTD, sampling nets. They can be shared with other projects. Coastal activities require logistic support from the nearest research stations.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
RO.SE.PEN will leave: 1) a design of a standard system to monitor and compare the biological and environment characteristics of the two most different regions of Antarctica; 2) a data set on the Ross Sea and Antarctic Peninsula against which future changes can be assessed.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The RO.SE.PEN is part of CCAMLR strategy. It is an extension and integration of international and national projects approved in the CCAMLR ambit.

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
RO.SE.PEN addresses questions that are the main topics of CCAMLR. It is a substantial integration, extension and improvement of existing projects carried out by many countries, included Italy.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The coordination and integration role of the RO.SE.PEN will be trusted to an international structure (i.e. CCAMLR). This structure will interact with the partners and will select a responsible. The organization and management plan could be detailed in the ongoing EMM workshop (Japan, July 2004).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Following the previous experience of the Italian projects on krill, RO.SE.PEN will continue and improve the outreach activities for young scientists and the funding of graduate study grants within the Italian PhD for Polar Science.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The data, collected in the last decades in the Ross Sea and in the Antarctic Peninsula, will be reviewed using common standard and stored in a data bank, managed by the project partners.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Each partner will seek funding at national and international level. The Italian components will submit priority a funding proposal to the Italian funding agency for Antarctic Research for 2006-08, which will furnish also the main logistic support for the survey in the Ross Sea (e.i. ship time and logistic teams).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Massimo Azzali
Largo Fiera della Pesca, Ancona


60125
Italy

Tel: 0039 071 2078832
Mobile:
Fax: 0039 071 55313
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information