Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Circum-Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity Initiative  (CAT-B)

Outline
Apart from their enormous intrinsic value, arctic terrestrial ecosystems are important in terms not only of the ecosystem services that they provide at the local and regional scale, but also the roles that they play in global biogeochemical cycles and the climate system. Although much is known about the global significance of these ecosystems, remarkably little is known about the nature and significance of their biodiversity, and its sensitivity to global change. In particular, we know very little about the spatial patterning of biodiversity, or the factors that regulate biodiversity – both above-ground and below-ground - at different temporal and spatial scales. Furthermore, virtually nothing is known about the nature of relationships that operate between biodiversity and ecosystem function in the Arctic. In spite of this, climate change is predicted to be a primary driver of biodiversity change in the Arctic terrestrial realm (Sala et al. 2000. Global Biodiversity Scenarios for the Year 2100. Science 287:1770-1774), as it has been throughout the Quaternary. In many cases, however, arctic terrestrial ecosystems are also under simultaneous direct threat from human activity through exploitation of mineral, fossil fuel, and other resources (e.g. wood products, hydro-power etc), as well as other facets of global changes (e.g. airborne pollutant deposition). Superimposed upon this is an ongoing shift/trend from the “traditional” direct use of ecosystems (e.g. for hunting, grazing, etc) to their use for recreation, tourism, & conservation. Arctic terrestrial ecosystems are thus ‘complex systems’ in the true sense, and both affect and are affected by human activities, not only directly, but also in terms of connectivities to the climate system (and atmospheric chemistry), socially, politically and culturally. IPY therefore provides a timely opportunity for launching a concerted international research effort addressing these issues. This CAT-B EoI has arisen from discussions at ICARP II, and previously, involving several international initiatives (see Section 1.7 below) and identifying a need for a programme specifically directed at biodiversity. The overarching objectives of CAT-B for IPY are: (i) to determine the factors that regulate patterns of diversity in arctic ecosystems, and to quantify and understand the roles of biodiversity in these systems [in this context IPY Themes 1 and 2 will be addressed directly]; (ii) to evaluate both actual and potential threats to biodiversity in these ecosystems [IPY Theme 3]; (iii) to understand the importance of biodiversity (both economically and culturally) for inhabitants of arctic and sub-arctic regions [IPY Theme 6]; and (iv) to integrate and strengthen the expertise in these, and related fields, both now and as a legacy for the future.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
• CAT-B will advance IPY Themes 1 and 2 by quantifying spatial variability in biodiversity, and assessing its responsiveness to change. Sites selected for analysis and experimentation will include those of ITEX (IPY Project 188), CBMP (133) and Greening of the Arctic (139), providing value-added to these projects, and allowing for pooling of logistic resources, data, and expertise; • Establishment of longer-term experiments on the role of biodiversity for ecosystem structure and functioning will provide input to Theme 3, contributing to improved understanding of polar-global interactions; • Through objective (iii) (Section 1.3 above) CAT-B will contribute directly to Theme 6.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
CAT-B is comprised of an evolving international team, brought together with support from IASC since 2003. In addition, CAT-B has been involved in discussions directly with IPY Projects 72 (ARCDIV), 133 (CBMP), 139 (Greening of the Arctic), 188 (International Tundra Experiment), and will site-share (particularly with 139 and 188) and integrate logistically and scientifically where beneficial.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
CAT-B will use ITEX sites in the tundra biome (see http://www.geog.ubc.ca/itex/) as well as the North American Arctic Transect (NAAT) being developed as part of Greening of the Arctic. In addition, specific measures will be taken to re-activate Russian tundra sites that have previously been active in ITEX, or also as part of the International Biological Programme (IBP) Tundra Biome Project: This also links with IPY project 214 (Back to the Future).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 05/2007 – 09/2007      05/2008 – 09/2008      2009/2010 – data synthesis
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
National agencies will provide research logistics for each site, as for ITEX, and CAT-B participants already have links with well-established sites. An exception to this is in Russia, where site access will require more detailed planning. We do not anticipate the need for complex logistic support.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Yes. The project will, together with those identified in Section 1.7 above, leave a legacy of sites/plots. All research plots and transects assessed, or used for experimental manipulations, during IPY will be fully geo-referenced and left with permanent markers for ease of identification in the future.

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

Logistic support will be provided largely by national funding agencies.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - The project is endorsed by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) as one of their constituent projects (see www.iasc.no and www.cat-b.stir.ac.uk)

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

CAT-B is an existing project of IASC, but the purpose of CAT-B to date has been concerned principally with identifying key research themes and with both planning and submitting research proposals. IPY provides an opportunity for CAT-B to be translated from the planning process into a full research programme.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will have a Steering Committee comprising all of the project members identified below, plus a review panel with representatives from related IPY projects (ARCDIV, CBMP, Greening of the Arctic, and ITEX). The existing CAT-B web portal will be built-out to include a web forum, and CAT-B will hold a meeting (some funding from IASC is anticipated for this) during 2006 specifically for planning IPY-related proposals and targeting funding agencies. CAT-B will meet internationally in both 2007 and 2008, but the emphasis of the 2008 meeting will be on data synthesis and dissemination.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
CAT-B will target early-stage researchers (PhD students and post-docs) as the mainstay for implementing the project, with appropriate support from experienced researchers. Through this approach we aim to attract and develop the next generation of polar researchers. Outreach and communication will be through peer-reviewed and ‘popular’ journal articles, the internet, and through press releases and radio/TV interviews where appropriate.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management will dovetail with the system in operation in ITEX, where data are submitted to the JOSS facility in Boulder, Colorado. This will facilitate data exchange between the programmes for synthesis activities, and data sharing (e.g. site climate/meteorological data) to provide value-added. Data will be made available by request through the CAT-B website.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Through proposals to national funding agencies, and to appropriate international agencies (e.g. EU, European Science Foundation) where calls for proposals are suitably aligned to the objectives of CAT-B.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
CAT-B as a distinct IPY project is being proposed (at this late stage) as a consequence of developments and discussions at ICARP II, at which CAT-B, as an on-going IASC planning initiative, was requested to integrate with Working Group 8. During these discussions it became apparent that several key facets of biodiversity in the arctic terrestrial realm would fall outside the remit of existing proposals/initiatives, and a strong consensus emerged that CAT-B should go forward independently to IPY. This decision could not be reached in advance of ICARP II.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Philip Wookey
University of Stirling
School of Biological and Environmental Sciences
Stirling, Scotland
FK9 4LA
UK

Tel: +44 (0)1786 467804
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation