Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #83: Beringia: Research and Monitoring in a Northern Crossroads  (Beringia Research Initiative)

Outline
Beringia is a land that spans the vast area between the Kolyma River in the Russian Far East and the Mackenzie River in Canada. It is a region of global significance—unglaciated during the Pleistocene Ice Ages, it was host at that time to a unique biota isolated from the rest of North America and Eurasia by continental ice sheets. Although some Beringian species became extinct, others repopulated the tundra and cold steppes of Asia and North America. A number of Beringian species, however, remain restricted to Beringia—despite its northern latitude, the Yukon is home to more species of endemic plants and animals (species found nowhere else) than any other jurisdiction in Canada. Although the idea of an isolated subcontinent has intrigued researchers into both Beringia’s past and present, the area’s remoteness has deterred many scientific explorers, and much of the region’s interior remains essentially unexplored and un-sampled by western scientists. The region has much to offer, combining a unique biota, relatively undisturbed ecosystems, First Nations peoples who still live on the land and depend on local resources, and rich mineral and petroleum resources that are encouraging increasing development. However, planning for sustainable development of these resources is hampered by an almost complete absence of information on the region’s special features. This is a multi-faceted project designed to stimulate and support research into the human history, past and present biota, ecosystems, hydrology, landforms and geology of Beringia, with the goal of discovering its history and special places, and guiding future exploration and wise development of its resources. In this proposal, the focus is on the Yukon, but the project could easily link with other similar projects in Alaska and Russia. Research will be stimulated and supported by: •A multi-disciplinary conference to discuss and promote Beringian research, held in the Yukon. •the creation of a research centre at Yukon College, Whitehorse, with space for visiting specialists and working collections of Yukon biological and geological material. •the creation of a research station/field school in the Dawson area, and one or more smaller field stations in more remote locations in the Yukon. •ongoing logistical support for remote field studies (possibly an expanded/enhanced Polar Continental Shelf Project) •Funding travel of scientists to and from Russia, Alaska and Canada. •Technical workshops to increase capacity in the north. •Consultation with and field participation from local communities •Summer student support for students from Yukon College, University of the Arctic, etc.. •Outreach staff.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The legacy of a research centre, research station, field camps, and other logistical support will stimulate and ensure ongoing, multi-disciplinary research in Beringia. Workshops and conferences will leave a legacy of increased capacity in communities of the region. Much of the research undertaken as a result of this project (including traditional knowledge research) will directly relate to the state of and changes in the polar environment, including: 1. the distribution, trends, and status of rare and/or threatened species and ecosystems, and knowledge of their ecological and biological needs. Inventory and monitoring of species and ecosystems in Beringia will provide baseline and ongoing trend data to track changes in polar systems. The data will provide NatureServe Yukon with environmental information to guide development planning in the region. 2. characterization and monitoring of geological parameters most influenced by climate change such as permafrost, soils and slope stability. This will provide critical baseline and ongoing terrain information for northern development assessment. 3. assessing ecosystem and landscape change through the collection and international dissemination of paleo-environmental records.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Active funding of scientific exchanges or travel to and from Russia, Alaska, and Canada will promote international scientific collaboration to broaden and enhance our understanding of the Beringian system. Universities and institutions in Alaska and Russia are obvious potential partners (see list in section 4.2). For example, a similar, international program that could be linked is the Shared Beringian Heritage Program managed by the U.S. National Park Service; this effort supports a wide range of cultural exchanges between Alaska and Russia, research, and international meetings focused on Beringia. Scientists at the University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks also conduct biological research in Beringia.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
From a Canadian perspective, the area for the proposed fieldwork is the unglaciated regions of the Yukon and surrounding areas that are dominated or influenced by a Beringian biota. Practically speaking, this means most or all of the Yukon, the western Northwest Territories, and parts of extreme northern British Columbia. Internationally, the fieldwork would include all of Beringia.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Fieldwork 03/07 – 03/09; ongoing      Conference 03/07; ongoing       Facilities development: 03/07-03/09
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
1. A research centre, perhaps in Yukon College, including work space and a scientific collection (i.e. a herbarium, and a collection of small mammals, birds, selected invertebrate groups, etc.). Potential space is available; renovations required. 2. A research station/field school in Yukon Beringia, perhaps in the Dawson area. Potential facilities exist; renovations would be required. 3. One or more field camps or other such facilities in the more remote parts of Yukon Beringia (e.g. Old Crow, Tombstone Park, Ivvavik National Park). 4. Helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft will be needed to support remote fieldwork (perhaps organized and funded through an expanded Polar Continental Shelf Project) All these resources can be usefully shared among several projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The research centre, station, field school and field camps will leave an ongoing legacy that scientists, students and the public can continue to use many years beyond IPY. An expanded and enhanced northern logistics program that continues beyond IPY will create many opportunities for multidisciplinary research that are not possible today.

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

Some field logistics provided through government agencies now; enhanced logistics can be seen as an expansion of the support now provided through the Polar Continental Shelf Project. Other new logistics financing may be secured through Federal and Territorial agencies such as Environment Canada, Parks Canada, Yukon Parks Branch, and NatureServe Yukon, if governments augment their budgets through IPY initiatives. Academics could perhaps access funding through a directed program of NSERC.

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
This is a new project, but components of it are already being undertaken, e.g. basic inventories and research by Canadian Wildlife Service, NatureServe Yukon, the Yukon Geological Survey, and the Heritage Branch of the Yukon Government. However, these current activities are restricted in scope by limited field support funding, and there are no plans or funding to ensure their ongoing status. As a result, current projects have a limited monitoring element.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The organization has not been designed yet, but to manage the Canadian initiative there would have to be a steering committee established, made up of the major partners (e.g. Yukon College, NatureServe Yukon, Yukon Geological Survey, Environment Canada, Parks Canada, First Nations, Government of NWT, etc.). For international efforts, a higher level group with representatives of US and Russian agencies would be involved.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
An annual (or biannual) conference will be held to bring scientists together from around the world to discuss new research in Beringia; the conference would also have a public outreach component. Technical workshops on different aspects of research will be held to increase capacity in the region (e.g. vascular and non-vascular plant identification workshops, insect identification workshops, traditional knowledge workshops, and landscape change/evolution workshops). Field courses could be offered through University of the Arctic and other colleges and universities. A staff person with the proposed Research Centre in Yukon College could act as an outreach person, as well as curator of collections, host for visiting scientists, college instructor, etc. Seasonal outreach staff could also be added, either in Whitehorse, or at the Research Station in Dawson area.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data collected on rare species and ecosystems will be entered into NatureServe Yukon’s database, following NatureServe’s international methodology and data standards. NatureServe already serves summary data on the internet, and is moving towards offering more detailed information in that way. Specimens collected will be deposited and accessed through the Research Centre and at recognized scientific collections elsewhere (e.g. Canadian National Collection, Smithsonian, University of Alaska Museum of the North), where the accession information will be databased. Geological data would be compiled using the Yukon Geological Survey’s Geofield Database. Coordination and dissemination of this information would be facilitated through a common web-site that incorporates pan-Beringian research and data.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Some funding for research and monitoring (e.g. for basic operation of NatureServe Yukon, Canadian Wildlife Service, Parks Canada, Yukon Geological Survey) and some infrastructure is already in place. New, ongoing sources will have to be located to fund the conference, research centre and station, and field camps. Some of this funding could come in the form of an expanded, enhanced Polar Continental Shelf Project.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This project is geographically bounded, not discipline- or agency-bounded. The potential partnerships, products, and scientific advancements are numerous and diverse.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr  Sydney Canning
NatureServe Yukon, Yukon Department of Environment
PO Box 2703, Whitehorse, YUKON
Y1A 2C6
Canada

Tel: 867-667-3684
Mobile:
Fax: 867-393-6405
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information