Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Polar Urals Environmental Change after Last Ice Age  (PUECH)

Outline
The Polar Urals is a unique geographical site in Europe . It is situated on the border of European and Asian continents and is a distinct natural barrier for the humid air masses which flow from the Atlantic Ocean. This factor undoubtedly had a strong influence on aspect asymmetry of mountain glaciation of the Polar Urals range. Subsequently, the latitudinal extent of mountains significantly determined the environmental conditions during glacial-interglacial cycles. On the basis of scientific investigation (i.e . QUENN Project 1996-2000), most question focus on past extend and the age of paleoenvironmental events and it was these factors in particular which have been studied and described . Most European glaciated regions have detailed climatostratigraphical and chronostratigraphical data. This data provides better understanding of the present environmental state and enables the analysis of the factors determining the direction of its transformations. The Polar Urals are, however, an area where there is still a lack of data and those interpretations that do exist are contradictory. In many publications this region was neglected or viewed as a less important in other larger-scale studies. The PUECH project will focus on past and present state of mountainous glaciation and its relationship with climatological and hydrological processes. It will provide an approximation of the paleoenvironmental dynamics in this arctic region. The key scope of our investigation includes a recognition of the geomorphologial features such as: moraine ridges (dimension, extent and altitude), fluvioglacial fans, present and past periglacial forms and rock glaciers. Spatial and temporal analysis of the differentiation of natural processes performed by C14, lichenometric and dendrochronological dating will be the second aim of our investigation.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
It will address the lack of information about Polar Urals paleogeography caused by two main factors: remote location of the site and limited environmental surveyance to date. Our research aims are: • To determine the scale and pattern of the natural processes, precipitated by the particular geographical location of the. • To highlight the stages when environmental changes occurred most abruptly and/or with the maximum intensity. • To create raw-data for future analysis of Arctic mountain dynamics.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project is based on cooperation with: - Professor D. Bolshiyanov – Polar Geography department of Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute, Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring of Russian Federation. - Professor M. Jakobsson – Chairman of The Arctic Palaeoclimate and its Extrems Project (APEX)

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Central part of the Polar Urals (near Schuchie lakes), Russia 67o 39' N; 65 o 59' E

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/2007 – 08/2007            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Snow-terrain vehicle (wiezdiekhod) The project requires seasonal tent-camps at a research site on the Polar Urals.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No

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

Pilot studies were performed in study area in August 2006. The PUECH Project is a new initiative for PhD students and undergraduate students of Jagiellonian University.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The PUECH Project will be organised and managed by The Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University. The activity will be carried out with the scientific supervision of Professor Wieslaw Ziaja. Communication will be by e-mail and by a project web-site (www.puech.geo.uj.edu.pl).

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project results will be published in international and national scientific journals, and popular-science magazines. Furthermore, it is planned to present obtained results at conferences, seminars and lectures. We plan to involve students in the research program which includes the preliminary preparations and further activity.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All geomorphological, hydrometeorological and chronological data will be made accessible in the database of the Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University. It is planned to present data for the APEX framework.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The Project received several sources of funds: - Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University, - The Association of Geography Students, Funding from other institutions is currently pending.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Michal Lyp
Department of Geomorphology, Institute of Geography and Spatial Management, Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland
ul. Gronostajowa 7
30-387 Cracow
Poland

Tel: 0048 509 146 616
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation