Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #112:Spatial and temporal variations in Arctic char thermal habitat use and foodweb position: implications for understanding climate variability and contaminant uptake  (Arctic char thermal habitat use)

Outline
Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a circumpolar species that is distributed across a wide latitudinal and climatic range, from the High Arctic (~80-85N) to temperate locations (~45-50N). Char are an extremely important resource for northern peoples. There is substantial scientific evidence indicating a significant warming trend in much of the Arctic, which represents a direct threat to the biological viability of many populations and is associated with a net increase in temperature mediated contaminant accumulations in fish tissue. Although biological responses to climate change can be predicted, predictions cannot be validated on the basis of present evidence. Archival collections of char otoliths, however, may be used to establish thermal baselines for char populations across the Arctic and will allow measured variability in thermal habitat use to be coupled directly to measured changes in growth rates and size. This information is critical for making predictions of future climate change impacts. Measurement of thermal habitat use by Arctic char rely on temperature dependent fractionation of δ18 oxygen isotopes during the formation of fish otoliths and established otolith δ18 oxygen –temperature relationships for conversion between the two. Sites in the Arctic will be selected where good archival collections exist (e.g., Char Lake, Nauyak Lake, Lake Hazen). thereby allowing the estimation of appropriate inter-annual trends and estimation of the variability in response among individuals of the same population by year and age. Current spatial differences will be examined by expanding study sites to include a range of lake and population types. Sites will be specifically selected to include two Canadian climate gradients, an eastern north-south latitudinal gradient along the Lake Hazen-Labrador axis and a western north-south gradient along the from the Prince Patrick Islands through Banks Island to the mainland. A parallel European gradient from Svalbard to mid-latitude Norway has potential for development in collaboration with Norwegian colleagues.. Impacts of current variations in thermal habitat use and foodweb position for contaminant uptake will also be examined. This aspect of the study will allow determination of the extent to which currently observed differential contaminant accumulation trends across the Arctic are related to climate change and/or lake productivity gradients. Sampling will involve detailed sampling of aquatic biota for stable-isotope analysis (carbon and nitrogen) of lake foodwebs, with emphasis on duplicate tissue sampling of Arctic char for C, N and O stable-isotope and contaminant analysis (Hg and organo-chlorines). The work will significantly increase the spatial scale of work completed on sub-Arctic lakes that demonstrated connectivity between foodweb position and contaminant uptake dynamics. Parallel analysis of other Holarctic systems has the potential for allowing a zoogeographic analysis of contaminant emission and accumulation patterns. In summary, the proposed study will permit analysis of coincident macroecological patterns in Arctic char growth and contaminant uptake as mediated by temperature and lake productivity, thereby allowing better predictions of overall climate change effects on a key species in Arctic ecosystems and addressing a significant knowledge gap concerning the pathways and processes controlling contaminant delivery to Arctic aquatic environments.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The work will describe current environmental conditions for a species of interest to northern people’s both in terms of its existing responses to climate and the linkages between climate and contamination accumulation rates. Global linkages will be established to compare and contrast status on a circumpolar basis (e.g.. Norway, Sweden and Russia). Finally, the selected use of study sites for which archival material is available will along documentation of differential rates of change in Arctic aquatic environments and the responses of a key aquatic species. Patterning of past responses will improve predictive capabilities of future changes.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
There will be international collaboration among Canadian, Austrian, Norwegian and Russian scientists. Potential exists for inclusion of Swedish, Danish and Icelandic scientists working on Arctic char.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Focus will be on Canadian sites such as Lake Hazen area of Ellesmere Island, Nettling Lake Baffin Island, Char Lake Cornwallis Island, Nauyak Lake Nunanvut, Banks Island, Hebron Fiord Labrador, and Nain Labrador. A full proposal will be developed further to include similar projects throughout different regions of the Holarctic following the strategies articulated in the recent Arctic Climate Impact Assessment with the inclusion of relevant char/aquatic ecosystem groups in those countries. For example, using Takvatn and Svalbard in Norway, lakes in Greenland, and the Tamyr Pennisula of Russia.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/2007 – 09/2007      06/2008 – 09/2008      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Fixed-wing transport aircraft for lake access, use of any existing field/logistics stations at some of the selected sites (e.g. Hazen) and possible sue of helicopter transport for regional sampling at detailed study sites (e.g. Hazen, Char Lake).

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No physical legacy will be left. A database legacy based on archival samplings and detailed documentation of current conditions will be created that could act as a critical reference point for future rate of change or temporal comparison studies in the Arctic.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?

Logistics support will be obtained from a variety of sources including national and international granting agencies. As all proposed work is incremental to on-going research programs, sample analytical cost support will need to be obtained. Wherever possible logistic support will be obtained by dove-tailing proposed work with current ongoing and/or proposed programs of research. For example, work here may be paired with initiatives being put forward by ArcticNet to study change in Arctic aquatic ecosystems along a north-south gradient.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Ecosystems Terrestrial Processes

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?
yes
The project will make use of archival samples but use new analytical techniques to determine thermal habitat use. In some instances samples will be obtained from on-going projects (e.g. ArcticNet) as a means of containing costs and increasing spatial coverage.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be collaboratively managed in Canada. Proximity of Power and Muir will facilitate frequent interchange/comparison of the oxygen isotope and contaminant aspects of the work. Annual co-ordination meetings for refining project objectives, sampling protocols and data and results review are proposed for 2006 through 2008.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Education and outreach activities will be conducted as art of routine obtaining f sampling permission from northern peoples. Wherever possible locals will be used in sampling programs and joint-research ventures will be established. For example, groups like Makivik Research and the Labrador Inuit Association will be advised and involved in sampling activities within their regions of influence.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
All data results are to be organised and archived in the form of a Canadian Data Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. Publication of all results in peer-reviewed scientific journals will further ensure brad dissemination of results. Summary copies of results will be provided back to all Arctic organizations collaborating in the research.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be sought from national granting agencies. Total funding to be obtained form these sources is unknown at this point. Investigator research funds will provide some of the costs of research (approximately 10%). Other funding plans need to be developed in consultation with project collaborators

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof  Michael Power
University of Waterloo
200 University Avenue West
Waterloo, Ontario
N2L 3G1
Canada

Tel: 519-888-4567 extension 2595
Mobile:
Fax: 519-746-0614
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information