Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Study of Environmental Arctic Change  (SEARCH)

Outline
The Arctic has been characterized in recent decades by a complex of significant, interrelated, pan-Arctic changes including, but not limited to increased air temperature over most of the Arctic, reduced sea ice cover, warming of permafrost, changing Arctic Ocean circulation, or northward movement of tree lines and vegetation zones. Although these changes in physical, chemical, and biological components of the Arctic system have large impacts on society (e.g., ACIA, 2004), we are presently lacking the knowledge required for their proper understanding, attribution and projection into the future. Establishing this knowledge base requires a pan-arctic, system-scale, long-term project transcending traditional studies of the physical domain by investigating the driving forces that shape the Arctic system across the human/environment interface. The Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) has been designed as a response to the challenge of understanding pan-arctic, system-scale change. SEARCH is a U.S. program that formed the foundation for the development of the International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC). The main objective of SEARCH is to understand the nature, extent, and future development of the complex, interrelated changes presently seen in the Arctic. Environmental change in high latitudes has been identified as a major theme in both the international and the U.S. IPY plans. We propose to use the opportunity for intensified efforts in high latitude activities expected from the IPY for development of SEARCH from pilot mode to a fully implemented program. Major elements of SEARCH science and implementation plans include a system-scale, cross-disciplinary, long-term observing system (determination of extent and nature of change), a data assimilation and modelling component (understanding and projection of change), and translation of the combined results from observations and modelling into impact assessments (interplay with the human domain). These elements match closely several themes of the international and U.S. IPY plans; it is expected that successful implementation of SEARCH will contribute significantly to reaching the U.S. national and international IPY goals. Implementation of SEARCH is well positioned through the availability of a science plan and an implementation strategy, both developed with large input by the U.S. and international Arctic science community. A science steering group and an interagency working group are guiding the transition of SEARCH from pilot mode to fully implemented program. Full implementation of SEARCH as part of ISAC during the IPY would be closely coordinated with activities targeting similar goals such as the IAOOS or the CLIC ACP activities.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Coordinated research will advance all IPY themes: • Physical, biological, and social observations will provide information on the state of the Arctic, against which to measure change. • As the primary goal of SEARCH, activities will advance understanding of pan-arctic change, including the impact on human societies. • SEARCH will result in an improved understanding of linkages between the arctic system and lower latitudes, including ocean and atmospheric teleconnections and socioeconomic dynamics. • SEARCH will contribute to the public's understanding of the Arctic through education and outreach initiatives, result in new datasets and a legacy of research and observational networks.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
As a component of the IASC and AOSB sponsored International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC), SEARCH will closely coordinate with the international community. Scientific linkages to programs such as CLIC (ACP), iAOOS, or CLIVAR will ensure coordinated international logistics, observing, research, and outreach activitie

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Fieldwork related to SEARCH IPY activities will be pan-Arctic in extent, including the entire Arctic, as well as the main gateways to the low latitudes such as, for example, Bering Strait, Fram Strait or the Canadian Archipelago.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/07—03/09 and beyond.            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Facilities and infrastructure include multi-instrumented platforms including autonomous observing devices, long-term field stations, satellites, and cyberinfrastructure. SEARCH will utilize and coordinate between existing stations, facilities, and sites, while adding capacity for better spatial and temporal resolution and filling in gaps in major thematic or geographic areas.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
SEARCH IPY activities will leave a legacy of observational sites and accessible data, as well as analysis tools. This observational, data, and research network will benefit future research and education activities. We envision that SEARCH will produce significant scientific assessments of the Arctic and projection into the future.

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
Own support

Logistics will be secured through coordination and use of existing arctic logistics providers at regional and national levels.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This expression of interest is in the process of being considered by the US National Committee for the IPY.

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?
No
The development of the SEARCH program began in the late 1990s in response to observed rapid changes that appeared to be interrelated. Presently, SEARCH is in a pilot mode, with published science/implementation plans and several implemented field and modelling activities. It is well situated for implementation during the IPY.

How will the project be organised and managed?
SEARCH has an established management structure, including an existing Science Management Office. The SEARCH Interagency Working Group (IWG) represents the eight sponsoring agencies: Department of Interior, Department of Energy, Department of Defense, NOAA, NASA, National Science Foundation, Smithsonian Institution, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. SEARCH science priorities and implementation are guided by the Science Steering Committee, as well as focused panels (Detecting Change, Understanding Change, and Responding to Change) populated from the broader research community. SEARCH will convene an IPY committee to manage and coordinate IPY activities.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Education, outreach, and communication activities will target a variety of audiences, and include: • Website with news, searchable data catalogue, and communication tools. • Online, real-time seminars. • Teacher participation in fieldwork. • Museum exhibitions. • Communication of SEARCH IPY research to the media. • Presentations at scientific meetings.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
SEARCH is convening a data working group to guide data management issues. Multi-disciplinary data will be collected and managed according to international data and metadata standards and made available to the public. Data will be searchable and indexed over a central website, with long-term storage at relevant data centres.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
SEARCH will seek project funding through the SEARCH Interagency Working Group funding agencies.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Part of the Arctic Subarctic Ocean Fluxes study (ASOF) is a component of SEARCH and full implementation of SEARCH will benefit implementation of ASOF. The same holds true for the SEARCH-affiliated program BEST (Bering Ecosystem Study), a component of ESSAS (Ecosystem Studies of Sub-Arctic Seas) a new regional GLOBEC program. BEST is planning observations of Arctic change in the Bering and Chukchi seas, and a high level of collaboration and cooperation between SEARCH and BEST is expected in the Pacific Arctic.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Peter Schlosser
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
61 Route 9W
Palisades, NY
10964
USA

Tel: 845-365-8707
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Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information