Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Pan Arctic Snow Observation and Modeling: A leap-ahead in Arctic snow cover monitoring  (Pan Arctic Snow Observation and Modeling)

Outline
The NASA Cold Land Processes Working Group (CLPWG) proposes to coordinate implementation of a tiered system for monitoring the Pan Arctic dynamics of the terrestrial snow cover, particularly in regards to its effects on fresh water supply to the Arctic Basin and its significant coupling to the atmosphere. The system of monitoring Arctic terrestrial snow will include three categories of ground measurements, long term research areas, field campaigns associated with the IPY, and cooperative measurements by educational institutions, tied together with remote sensing to provide complete spatial coverage. Rationale: Fresh water inputs to the Arctic Basin have become increasingly important to research assessing the effects of global climate change. A significant proportion of fresh water discharge to the Arctic Basin derives from snow melt. From about 50 degrees north latitude poleward, ground based measurements of snow cover become dramatically more sparse in space and time. Observing snow extent from polar-orbiting sensors operating in the solar spectral region become increasingly difficult due to illumination and cloud cover. Estimates snow water equivalent from passive microwave systems exhibit well-known anomalies from the northern boreal forest northward of the tundra-taiga transition to the edges of the arctic basin. It is currently accepted that modeling the components of the pan-arctic terrestrial hydrology, including snow has more credibility than gridded field produced by measurements.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
evaluate present status of entire artic using state-of-the-art remote sensing and modeling tools, currently in development at smaller scales; improve polar & global climate prediction skill; discover & understand links between polar regions & rest of the Earth system; make new discoveries in the polar regions; knowledge gained may apply to to the cryospheres of other planets, moons, asteroids, comets.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
TBD, but expect USA, Canada, several European countries, and hopefully others.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
pan-Arctic

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: winter 2007-2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Fixed wing geophysical platforms, Fixed wing transport aircraft, Satellites, Helicopters, existing field stations; access to aircraft will be important.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
We will rely primarily on existing infrastructure.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
As a NASA Working Group, we anticipate some implicit or explicit endorsement

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
We will take full advantage of any existing or planned complementaryactivities.

How will the project be organised and managed?
TBD, but our group has experience organizing and managing large-scale field campaigns & efforts involving ground teams.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data will be collected, documented, & archived similarly to our 2002 & 2003 large-scale field campaigns, which should address all the Framework data issues.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
A combination of sources. (e.g., in the USA: federal agencies )

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Don Cline
National Weather Service, NOAA
1735 Lake Drive West
Chanhassen, MN
55317-8582
USA

Tel: (952) 361-6610 ext. 252
Mobile:
Fax: (952) 361-6634
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information