Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

ECOSYSTEM RESPONSE TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE IN THE ARCTIC  (ERECA)

Outline
This project will focus on critical times of climatic and environmental change in the geological past to understand the response of ecosystems and biotas (faunas and floras) to change in this extreme and highly sensitive region of the Earth. At present there is a paucity of data from the polar regions, especially the Arctic, about ecosystems and climate at critical times in the past. These ‘data holes’ have hindered global reconstructions and prohibited complete understanding of the response of Earth systems to past global change. Principal activities of this project will include: multidisciplinary field camps across the Arctic to collect new integrated, circum-polar data sets of fossil and geological data; evaluation of past ecosystem response to change from the new Arctic data; integration with Antarctic data analyses from existing projects to give a bipolar perspective; evaluation of the role of past polar systems in a global context through global climate modelling. Key targets include: i) the biotic response to Cretaceous–Tertiary climate change and impact events, ii) Palaeocene/Eocene extreme climate warming, iii) the onset of Greenland and Northern Hemisphere glaciation (Plio-Quaternary transition), and iv) mid Palaeozoic ecosystem evolution involving vertebrate and plant innovations. These targets will provide us with a suite of new information about Arctic environments and ecosystems during both greenhouse (non-ice) and icehouse climates. A multidisciplinary approach (that requires multinational contributions), both in the field and laboratory, will ensure a holistic ecosystem approach, rather than the present smaller scale individual studies that are rarely properly synthesised for maximum output and impact. IPY provides the opportunity for large multidisciplinary field camps and integrated multinational logistics for a truly circum-polar investigation and a focus on the whole Arctic region. This project will provide: * An understanding of the susceptibility of the polar ecosystems to environmental change over long and short time spans; * Determination of the evolution, radiation and extinctions of polar biotas in response to ecosystem change; * Comparison of high latitude with low latitude change to determine global gradients; * Understanding of how polar change linked to global conditions via computer modelling of climate systems; * New information of the rates and scales of change in the polar regions to help improve predictions of future change, especially those impacting on Arctic communities.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will mainly contribute to Theme 2 by quantifying and understanding past change in the polar regions. We will provide new information on processes, feedbacks and consequences of past change, under both icehouse and greenhouse conditions. Our project will also contribute to projects that investigate modern polar systems by providing a longer time perspective. We will generate extensive new datasets for testing climate models that predict future change. This project will aid predictions about ecosystem response to future change by mirroring evidence from the past and by highlighting potential future changes without waiting for them to happen.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project requires interdisciplinary expertise available only through international collaboration. Our project team consists of palaeontologists, palaeobotanists, climate modellers, vertebrate palaeontologists, sedimentologists, stratigraphers, and other geological and climatological disciplines from the UK, North America, Russia, Sweden, and Denmark. There is great potential to expand the project team.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Geological field sites have been identified in the Ellesmere and Axel Heiberg islands in the Canadian High Arctic, the North Slope of Alaska, Russian Arctic islands, Greenland and Svalbard. Climate modelling will take place in home research establishments.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/07-08/07      06/08-08/08      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Geological field camp facilities are required, including twin otter/helicopters for field camp input/output; helicopters and small boats for field travel. Existing field stations may be used (eg. Nyalesund, Resolute) Field camps and transport could also be shared with other field projects if in suitable areas e.g. glaciological or geophysical projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will leave a legacy of how to organise and manage large multinational field camps in the polar regions. Our investigations of past climate change and its implications for the future will help determine the effect that future climate change will have on human communities in the Arctic.

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

This project will use field logistics already operating in the Arctic, including support from the Cambridge Arctic Shelf Project (CASP), NERC Nyålesund base on Svalbard, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Russian Arctic logistics support, and Polar Continental Shelf Project Canada

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
UK – yes. In progress for other nations.

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 as a whole is new. Arctic fieldwork involves expeditions to new locations and new topics. However some aspects of the project build on past research programmes and expertise but add a new, broader focus. Climate modelling activities will be focused on new topics but build on on-going programmes.

How will the project be organised and managed?
A Project Steering Committee will be responsible for overall management (led by Chair), funding co-ordination, data management, and personnel co-ordination. A Science Committee will be responsible for science planning, execution, integration, synthesis, and dissemination. A Logistics Committee will manage field logistics and planning etc. An Outreach Committee will manage outreach and public understanding of science activities. Programme: 06/07 funding acquired and project begins. 07 summer field season in two locations. 08 second summer field season in two sites, 09/10 synthesis.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Outreach will include: teachers in field camps to link with schools before, after and during field work; undergraduate/postgraduate students participating in science to enthuse the next generation of polar scientists; media activities linked to Open University productions.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
All field/specimen metadata will be recorded using one common project system (for example, BAS field register system). Databases and geological specimens/fossils will be stored in relevant Antarctic data centres or recognised museums. All field and lab data will be published.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
ProposProposals will be made to national funding bodies, polar funding bodies and registered charities. Box 36 below will not allow me to add info. See my attached document via email for additional info.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Jane Francis
University of Leeds
Woodhouse Lane
Leeds
LS2 9JT
UK

Tel: 0113 3436761
Mobile:
Fax: 0113 3435259
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information