Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The Thermal State of Permafrost (TSP): Mongolian (MGL) Contribution to the International Network of Permafrost Observatories (INPO)  (MGL TSP/INPO)

Outline
The Mongolian territory is characterized by mountain and arid land permafrost, sporadic to continuous in its extent, and occupies the southern fringe of the Siberian permafrost zones. Most of the permafrost is at temperatures close to 0oC, and thus, thermally unstable to climate change and human activities. Climate warming has lead to recent degradation of permafrost, which has some negative influence on ecosystem and infrastructure in the country. Recent degradation of permafrost under the influence of climate warming in Mongolia is monitored within the framework of Global Terrestrial Network for Permafrost (GTN-P) and CALM programs, as well as within the framework of Hovsgol GEF/WB Project. Besides, it should be noted that Japan-Mongolian cooperation on IORGC project is of great significant in permafrost monitoring. TSP is a main component of GTN-P, including CALM. At present, there are more than 30 CALM and GTN-P (5-15 m and deeper) monitoring boreholes in Mongolia. Monitoring of permafrost temperatures in the boreholes started in the mid 1990-s and extended from year to year. Recently, 10 boreholes with depths of 10-15 m were redrilled at the points where previous deeper temperature measurements were made 17-35 years ago. Therefore, permafrost monitoring in most of the boreholes is long-term. Objectives of the MGL TSP/INPO activity (project) are: Objective 1: Continue permafrost temperature measurements in the existing GTN-P boreholes in Mongolia. Objective 2: Extend ten 10-15 m deep GTN-P boreholes in the areas without permafrost monitoring observations. Objective 3: Organize new monitoring sites for studying impacts of permafrost and glacier degradation in the Tsambagarav Mountain area, Altai region. Objective 4: Participate in the planning and implementation of the INPO. Objective 5: Encourage the development of a new generation of permafrost specialists through international and local educational programmes. Objective 6. Report initial results at the Ninth International Conference on Permafrost (summer 2008, Fairbanks). The project is coordinated with IPY Project 50 and would fit under it.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The acquired data on long-term monitoring of permafrost temperatures will serve as basic parameters to assess future changes in permafrost, to validate climate model scenarios, and to reconstruct past ground (permafrost) temperatures (Themes 1 and 2). The TSP results will provide authoritative documentation on estimating major impacts of permafrost degradation on infrastructure and ecosystem (Theme 6).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project contributes to CliC, GTN-P, CALM and LTER programmes.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Existing GTN-P boreholes are located in the Hovsgol, Khentei and Khangai mountain regions, the northern and central parts of Mongolia. The new 10 GTN-P boreholes will be drilled at points where previous deeper temperature measurements in the old ones were made 24-32 years ago. They will be located in (Mongol Altai and Gobi Altai) Altai and southern Khangai mountain regions, the western and south-western parts of Mongolia.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 05/06 – 12/08            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Some logistic support is required for new monitoring sites in the Altai mountain region to drill new boreholes and to provide by necessary equipment, such as data loggers. Especially, new boreholes TSP observations in Tsambagarav Mountain area, Altai region, will be useful for sharing with a project on Tsambagarav glacier observation.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
By establishing GTN-P boreholes for TSP observations and protecting them from human disturbances, we are able to obtain data on long-term monitoring of permafrost. Therefore, permafrost temperatures obtained in the future decades will reflect natural change in the environment.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
MPG TSP/INPO is endorsed by the IPA and some support is pending from the Geo-Ecology Institute, MAS and Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, NAMHEM.

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

Most boreholes temperature measurements have been ongoing at these sites since mid 1990-s and at some as early as 1970-1980s. TSP can be considered an extension of the WMO/GCOS and FAO/GTOS networks under GTN-P; but it a stand-alone project designed to commemorate the IPY and International Year of Planet Earth

How will the project be organised and managed?
The investigators listed in 4.0 will form a technical team to insure field and data coordination both in Mongolia and internationally with the IPA TSP activities.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We are committed to encourage a new generation of permafrost researchers. Participating researchers will include undergraduate and graduate student involvement. The Mongolian Permafrost Association web site will be opened and provided current information.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The Mongolian GTN-P borehole data sets can be archived at NSIDC with an initial “Legacy CD” planned for the 2008 NICOP. TSP borehole data will be submitted periodically to the GTN-P website.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Geo-Ecology Institute, MAS and Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology, NAMHEM will provide (support) some funds for conducting long-term permafrost and glacier observatories

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Except for seven monitoring boreholes within the framework of Hovsgol GEF/WB Project, permafrost researcher N. Sharkhuu has prepared and equipped 30 monitoring boreholes voluntarily on his own budget. He is conducting borehole temperature measurements and responsible for CALM and GTN-P program in Mongolia. There are 19 boreholes (5-9 m deep), 12 boreholes (10-20 m deep) and 6 boreholes (21-85 m deep) in Mongolia. Financial and technical supports are needed to further development of permafrost monitoring in Mongolia.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Permafrost researcher Sharkhuu Natsagdorj
Institute of Geo-Ecology
Baruun Selbe-13
Ulaanbaatar
211238
Mongolia

Tel: 976 11 343550
Mobile: no
Fax: 976 11 315786
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation