Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Sea Ice Ecosystem in recent climate change in the Arctic  (Arctic Cryal)

Outline
Recent global warming in the Arctic Ocean predicts shifting of ice-edge to the north, decreasing of sea-ice thickness and surface, and increasing of ice-open areas. This scenario suggests increasing of biological productivity and duration of vegetation period, and intensification of regeneration processes in the sea ice-upper ocean system. However, at present the evidence of impacts of global change on the sea ice ecosystem is sparse or uncertain, though there are fragmentary indications of recent changes. As established now, the biological community response to global change is most likely in the regions, where the sea ice retreat is rather remarkable, e.g., in the region of Beaufort Gyre. Assessment of the recent sea-ice ecosystem dynamic and modeling its potential changes will allow to estimate and forecast potential changes within the sea ice-upper water system and consequent ecological effects on higher trophic levels including birds, marine mammals and benthic organisms. At the same time, it is important to understand the reciprocal feedback of sea ice biology to the climate in the Arctic Ocean. The primary goal of this project is twofold: 1.To assess the effect of recent environmental changes in the Arctic Ocean on species composition and structure of biological communities and matter fluxes within the ice-water system; 2.To assess the reciprocal feedback of sea ice biological changes to the climate in the Arctic Ocean by defining the magnitude and variability of: (i) climatic parameters; (ii) physical processes; (iii) biogeochemical

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Development of fundamental knowledge of composition, structure and function of the Arctic sea ice ecosystem to understand the reciprocal feedback of sea ice to the climate in the Arctic Ocean.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaboration and coordination with IPY-related projects at international level under umbrella of IASC programs. We expect international cooperation in data search and management, field work, model development, and writing publications.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Central Arctic Basin.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/07-03/08            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Project requires traditional field logistical support provided by the Russian Expedition “Sever” including helicopter flights for sea ice samplings off of the ice camp as well as skidoo.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
YES - Expected sea ice ecological data can be used by another research projects focused on the sea ice study.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
YES - Russian Academy of SciencesFederal Programme “World Ocean”Russian Foundation for Basic ResearchOrganizing Committee of the Russian Federation for the IPY 2007/2008SEARCH, SBI as components of IASC

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?

The project is a component of the Federal Programme “World Ocean” (“Arctic Crial”) and related with the USA Arctic research programs like SEARCH (Study of Environmental Arctic Change) and SBI, which are planned in the IPY.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be carrying out within the frames of Federal Programme “World Ocean” and IPY Program of the Russian Academy of Sciences (the leading body is the Institute of Oceanology RAS).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Expected results of the project will be presented through reports, papers and web site of the Federal Programme “World Ocean” and can be used in education, outreach and communication. It is planned to involve students and younger scientists in field studies and processing of data collected.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
The data obtained after processing and analysing will be integrated into national and international databases under the concordance with countries and/or institutions that fulfil the analogous studies in the Arctic.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
It is proposed to fund the project through the Federal Programme “World Ocean” and IPY Program of the Russian Academy of Sciences/

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Igor Melnikov
Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences


117997
Russia

Tel: (095) 124-59-96
Mobile: 8 916 604 3131
Fax: (095) 124-83-56
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information