Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Zooplankton as tracers of abiotic processes in the European Arctic.  (ARCTIC ZOOPLANKTON AS TRACERS)

Outline
Background: The focus of this initiative is to advance understanding of the relationship between zooplankton community composition and changing hydrographic regimes in response to climate forcing in the European Arctic, with the use of key zooplankton species as water mass tracers. We propose that changes in the dominance of key species will provide early indications of hydrographic regime shifts. Changes in zooplankton composition will also influence/modify ecosystem matter and energy fluxes and have feedback effects on driving forces (e.g. influence the carbon sink). The emphasis of this initiative will be to show how physical water mass exchanges (abiotic processes) influence zooplankton community structure in contrasting Arctic ecosystems. Primarily, we aim to quantify the influence of the contrasting dominance of Atlantic/Arctic origin waters in oceanic and fjordic systems, both in Greenland (polar dominated) and Svalbard (mixed Atlantic/polar), on zooplankton community structure in a trans Fram Strait experiment. Specific hypotheses are: 1) Physical water mass exchanges (abiotic processes) are a key factor structuring zooplankton community composition in Arctic fjords and oceanic systems; and 2) the hydrographic balance in Arctic fjords and oceanic systems is likely to shift in response to climate change, with changes in the dominance of key zooplankton species providing an early indication of this change. Specific tasks will include: 1. Establishment of a hydrobiological transect across Fram Strait from Svalbard (mixed Atlantic/polar), through the Greenland Sea (Arctic), to the Greenland shelf (polar) to investigate zooplankton community composition in different hydrographic regimes/marine climate zones. 2. Continuation of a time series of zooplankton species composition and water mass exchange across the West Spitsbergen shelf into Kongsfjorden using sediment traps and hydrographic moorings. 3. Determining the influence of physical forcing on biological responses of zooplankton (community composition, species dominance, biochemical and physiological state). 4. Studying the processes of winter transformation in fjords to understand the influence of preconditioning the coastal system to water mass exchange the following spring and summer. This includes the role of sea ice with respect to its growth, extent and seasonal persistence. 5. Modelling the abiotic parameters (wind, freshwater, oceanic transport) that promote or inhibit water mass exchange and thereby control zooplankton community development. 6. Recording the process of upwelling at the shelf-edge with respect to transport of deep-water species into relatively shallow environments. 7. TS, O18, and chemical tracer multi-parameter analysis using ship bourne CTD and satellites to monitor sea ice coverage. Related European Arctic IPY proposals include: SAMS NORTHERN SEAS - ARCTIC: The effect of natural and anthropogenic forcing on marine ecosystems, biogeochemistry and physical processes operating in the European Arctic (Graham Shimmield) ARCTOS QUALITY: The effect of Climate Change on Food Quality and transfer of Energy and Pollutants in Polar Ecosystems (Stig Falk-Petersen) NEW ice, NO ice? Impact of ice loss on Arctic Ocean ecosystem function: A comparative study of ecosystem function in ice-covered and ice-free Arctic Ocean areas - the North East Water Polynya as a proxy for a future ice free Arctic (Andrew Brierley) AUK: Climate, Ocean, Plankton and Seabirds in changing European Arctic (IOPAS)

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
• An interdisciplinary study into plankton community response to physical forcing (circulation, sea ice cover, water balance) operating in oceanic and fjordic/shelf seas of the European Arctic. • Collection of time series data from fixed moorings used for calibration and improvement of physical circulation models of Arctic coastal waters. • Contemporary data series of biological variables for the European Arctic appropriate for use in coupled biological-physical model validation studies and effects studies. • New quantitative relationships on biological responses to climate-driven physical forcing mechanisms in the European Arctic. • Involvement in education and training opportunities for students and young scientists in polar marine environmental science.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International collaboration with the Norwegian Polar Institute and Institute of Oceanology, Poland.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Fieldwork will be carried out in a variety of Arctic sites represented by fjords such as Kongsfjorden (Svalbard), the Fram Strait and East Greenland margins. Experimental studies will be carried out in the new Arctic Marine Laboratory at Ny Alesund.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: March and Aug 2007 –2011 (each year)            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Several research platforms such as (1) the James Clark Ross (requested for 1 month in 2007, 2009); sharing of Norwegian and Polish vessels; (2) satellites (Cryosat); 3) Experimental Marine Laboratories at Svalbard; (4) Arctic moorings (multi-instrumented for biological and physical parameters). Resources can be shared with other projects, in particular those listed in section 1.3

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
• Establishment of a hydrobiological transect across Fram Strait from Svalbard to the Greenland shelf incorporating different hydrographic regimes/marine climate zones • The continuation of time series observations of biological and physical parameters at mooring sites (e.g. Kongsfjorden) • Involvement in education and post-educational training opportunities in polar ecosystem science

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

This proposal has access to vital infrastructure for Polar Operations from several of the involved Institutes.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The SAMS Northern Seas Core Programme which provides a platform for this project has been approved and funded by NERC UK and reviewed and endorsed by the 2004 Science and Management Audit of SAMS. Northern Seas 2 will be reviewed in 2006. The participants in this project are involved in ongoing national and international research projects which will continue through the IPY periods.

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?
Expansion
The SAMS Northern Seas 2 programme is a coordinated approach to multidisciplinary marine studies in the European Arctic (details may be found on www.sams.ac.uk.) and provides a platform for this project and the logistic and operational support for collaborators from the UK, Norway and Poland. NSP 2 is a continuation of Arctic work initiated under NSP 1 2001-6.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Project coordination and management will be headed by Kate Willis and Finlo Cottier (SAMS) as part of the SAMS Northern Seas programme based at the Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory. Logistic coordination will be carried out with the Norwegian Polar Institute and Institute of Oceanology, Poland.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
SAMS undergraduates and postgraduates are enrolled with the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI Millennium Institute), part of the Arctic Universities Network. Consortium linkage is being established with the ARCTOS student network and ongoing ARCTOS PhD trainee school in Arctic marine Ecosystems (http://www.nfh.uit.no/arctos/). SAMS has full time Education and Outreach, and Knowledge Transfer officers for dissemination of research of public interest and to ensure take-up of research outcomes in the private and commercial sectors.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data management is coordinated by the full-time SAMS Data Manager according to SAMS protocols with close links to the British Oceanographic Data Centre where data is archived. SAMS provides web-based information and resource capability for all its collaborative projects (www.sams.ac.uk). In the associated institutes, data management will be handled within current operating data management systems, ICES and other bodies with which the institutes have agreements.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Basic funding to the involved institutes, national programmes and EU. The SAMS Northern Seas Programme is funded by a 5-year core strategic grant from the UK Natural Environment Research Council. Additional funding is obtained from competitive grant capture from NERC, and the EU Framework programmes. SAMS is a consortium partner in projects funded by the Norwegian Research Council.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Ongoing projects in the Arctic are described at www.sams.ac.uk/research, and in the annual reports and newsletters of SAMS.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Kate Willis
Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory
Oban
Scotland
PA37 1QA
UK

Tel: 0044 (0)1631 559313
Mobile:
Fax: 0044 (0)1631 559001
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information