Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Arctic and Antarctic denudation system under climatic changes and human impact  (ARANDES)

Outline
Polar regions are reacting very fast for global climate changes and human impact. The role of this areas in the development of climate and water balance for all the world is fundamental. Past decades gives hundreds of facts showing very fast changes in polar environment. The character of this changes is in almost all cases progressive and definitive. Changes in polar landscapes, land cover, land use, radiation, water balance, biogenic and carbon storage, rate and character of weathering, erosion and sedimentation are only few from the catalogue of changes occurring distinctly in polar regions. There is currently no global and regional database that defines these rates within ice-free areas in last decades period. The knowledge of this processes is still at very low level and its recognition is a great chance for international community of researchers in the nearest future. Existing data sets well document effects of changes in polar environment in past decades, however such investigations have to be more intensive, performed with the use of new methods and concentrated on problems the most important from the point of view of global changes. This way of thinking comprises a consequent system-quantity and evolutional activity in researches of polar environment: identification and quantification of matter an energy circulation, definition of the internal structure and functional relations in the system, determination of intensity, dynamics and balance of fluxes between subsystems. As main research units should be treated glaciated and nonglaciated catchments in different conditions of polar regions. The main aim of project is to define the background and conditions of operation for mechanisms, dynamics and variability of energy and matter circulation in glaciated and nonglaciated catchments of Arctic and Antarctic. It should be realized through following tasks: Identification and quantification of sources and pathways of energy and matter supply in catchments system; Measurements of fluxes intensity and an attempt to define changes in the energy/matter balance within catchments and their parts; Definition of the impact of various factors on the dynamics and variability of energy and matter fluxes in catchments; Definition of tendencies of changes in polar environment in different temporal scales; Notification of the sensitivity of geo-ecosystem with identification and prediction of boundary conditions and an attempt to define changes in the energy/matter balance; Construction of models of glaciated and nonglaciated catchments and testing of various scenarios of changes in polar environment.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Rapid changes in Arctic and Antarctic geoecosystems might induce several essential processes of regional and global scale. As the polar environment is relatively easy for observations because of limited feedbacks amount, datasets and elaborations will serve as continuation of previously collected materials, prediction of future changes, construction and validation of environmental and climate models in regional and global scale (Themes 1, 2 and 3). Effects of accelerated deglaciation, growing ice-free areas, intensified denudation are very important for human activities, as well as changes caused by the increase of exploration and tourism are locally better visible (Theme 6)

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Institutions collaborating in the project provide a support in logistics of field activities in the Arctic and Antarctic and the exchange of experiences to improve data management and unify methods of data acquisition.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The location of catchments proposed for observations is connected with the distribution of research stations of partners involved in the project on the area of Svalbard (High Arctic) and Western Antarctica. It is expected to maintain eight of such observation localities as the minimum.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/2005 – 10/2008            
Antarctic: 12/2005 – 03/2009            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Locations near the sea needs a supply by ice strengthened ships. Primary existing field stations will be used. In the case of extending investigation areas, helicopters and buildings based on containers (4-5 locations) might be planned. The share of facilities with other IPY activities is highly appreciated.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
On each research location will be installed several scientific facilities. After field campaigns the instrumented catchments will serve to continuing monitoring research. Infrastructure will be establish by meteorological equipment, hydrological equipment, loggers, automatic station and samplers, logistic solutions.

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
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Accepted by Polish National Commettee for 4-IPY 2007-2008 and Association of Polish Geomorphologist Included in Arctic and Antarctic Research Programme of Poland 2002-2010

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 can be considered as the part of POLISH NATIONAL POLAR PROGRAMME FOR YEARS 2002-2010 and the extension of a part of nationally granted project “STRUCTURE, EVOLUTION AND DYNAMICS OF LITHOSPHERE, CRYOSPHERE AND BIOSPHERE IN THE EUROPEAN PART OF THE ARCTIC AND IN THE ANTARCTIC” running in years 2004-2006

How will the project be organised and managed?
A small research board consisting of representatives of all institutions taking part in the project will manage planning and coordination of all activities. Broader meetings will be planned in the form of workshops at national and international conferences to follow projects plans and summarize results. Proposals and results of this project will be presented on different international conferences before and during International Polar Year.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Most of institutions involved in the project are universities or educational units providing courses and workshops in subjects related with project topics. They are also urged to include young researchers and students in project activities. It is also planned to maintain the website with actual information related to the project.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
There is currently no global and regional database that defines the geo-succession rates within ice-free areas in last decades. Existing data and results of measurements are very diffused. This project plan to establish by the end of 2005 a web-server for results of project

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Polish- Polish National Polar Programme For Years 2002-2010 - A polar project granted by Polish Ministry of Science running in years 2004-2006. - Funds from European Union, European Science Foundation and other non-government organizations - Funds from collaborative Polish and international institutions and universities.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Andrzej Kostrzewski
Institute of Palaeogeography and Geoecology
Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan
Dziegielowa 27, Poznan
61-680
Poland

Tel: +48618296174
Mobile: +48606616603
Fax: +48618296271
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information