Expressions of Intent for IPY 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

VI International Conference on Disturbance Dynamics in Boreal Forests: The Potential Effects of Climate Change  (Disturbance and Climate Change in the Boreal Forest)

Outline
The changing climate in the polar regions, occupied by the boreal forest, will have major impacts on disturbance dynamics. Disturbance has always been a key process in the functioning of the boreal forest. This process can be viewed from both a long-term perspective where the periodicity and type of disturbance are important factors and from a short-term perspective where the effect of the individual disturbance is the primary influence on ecosystem function over the following shorter time period. The changing patterns of recovery from the disturbance will probably follow a shifting direction as a result of the speed of climate change and the time it takes a biological system to develop a recovery process that will not change over a long time period. For example the speed at which tree species migrate beyond their current range limits will be strongly tied to disturbance dynamics, seed displacement properties, and a host of stochastic events. As a result changing vegetation structure on the landscape coupled with changing climatic patterns may have an interacting effect on future disturbance dynamics. In order to address these issues we will be holding the VI International Conference on Disturbance Dynamics in Boreal Forests. We will try and develop a central theme to the meeting that will look at changing disturbance dynamics and changing recovery dynamics after the disturbance. These meetings will bring in experts from all boreal countries to present ideas and discuss topics on forest disturbance.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
To have a hope of understanding the current and future global climate and what might happen in the future, the science community needs a better picture of boreal forest conditions and how they interact with and influence disturbance dynamics. The three fastest warming regions on the planet in the last two decades have been Alaska, Siberia and parts of the Antarctic Peninsula, Thus the Polar Regions are highly sensitive to climate change and this raises real concern for the future of polar ecosystems. We will try and develop a number of scenarios of potential changes to the landscape that might occur as a result of climate changes that effect disturbance dynamics.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
All boreal nations have attended prior meetings. The venue for these meetings rotates from country to country to help and develop international working relationships. q2_1_Location : The meeting and field trip will take place in interior Alaska. Pre and post field trips can take place either north or south of the Fairbanks area depending on the interest of the participants.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The meeting and field trip will take place in interior Alaska. Pre and post field trips can take place either north or south of the Fairbanks area depending on the interest of the participants.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 05/2007            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Meeting rooms and field trip transporation.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project has the potential to develop new and enhance existing working relationships between scientists interested in disturbance dynamics across the boreal landscape.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
National agency
Own support
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This project will represent the 6th international meeting of scientists interested in disturbance dynamics in the boreal forest. The Alaska location has been approved by the governing board for these meetings.

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

How will the project be organised and managed?
The meeting planning and execution will handled through the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Forest Sciences Dept with organizing committee members from other departments on campus.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We will plan on developing a special issue of a journal that will publish the proceedings of the conference. At this point in time no other outreach activities have been planed but there is the potential to develop public education activities with the conference attendees. This will be discussed in the initial workshop planning meetings.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document)?
Data management is not an issue with this project.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be provided by the School of Natural and Agricultural Resources, University of Alaska Fairbanks. In addition we will be looking for additional funding through NSF and other state and federal agencies.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr John Yarie
POB 757200
Forest Soils Laboratory
University of Alaska Fairbanks
99775-7200
USA

Tel: (907) 474-5650
Mobile:
Fax: (907) 474-6184
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation

Other Information