Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Arctic Circumpolar Coastal Observatory Network  (ACCO-Net)

Outline
The coastal zone is the interface through which land-ocean exchanges in the Arctic are mediated and it is the region of most high-latitude human activities. The coastal margin hosts a complex interaction of marine, terrestrial and atmospheric processes that are extremely vulnerable to predicted environmental changes and anthropogenic stressors. These coasts are typically permafrost-dominated and suffer from rapid erosion with serious implications for ecosystems and communities (Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA) – key finding #5). Changes in the coastal zone will not only affect regional biological and human systems, but are also likely to influence the global system though the degradation of coastal and offshore permafrost, which can lead to the release of greenhouse gases (GHG). To detect and quantify trajectories in coastal systems, their components must first be monitored. A coordinated monitoring programme incorporating diverse regions and providing site-specific, fine-scale baseline and time-series data will yield maximum value, facilitating local and circum-Arctic studies, such as validation of multiscale biodiversity and coastal community models. To address these issues, it is proposed that an internationally coordinated circum-Arctic network of coastal observatories (~15 key sites) be established within the IPY 2007-2008 framework based on ecoregion representation criteria. The sites would be loci for multi-disciplinary, multi-resolution studies set within a broader eco- and socio-regional frame of reference and would include sensitive areas with varying degrees of human impact. Site selection would be coordinated with local communities and would build upon existing monitoring programmes and data availability. The recommended strategy is outlined in five steps: (1) Initial site characterisation and representation assessment: (a) acquisition of comprehensive, high-resolution imagery of the circum-Arctic coastline, (b) physical (atmospheric, terrestrial and marine conditions), (c) ecological (marine and terrestrial classification, habitat mapping, assessment of biodiversity indicators and components), (d) Socio-economic (general situation, interaction of resource users, assessment of resources used, local knowledge of coastal processes, state of legal and administrative regulations); (2) Monitoring of changes: (a) physical (atmospheric and oceanographic forcing, permafrost parameters, morphology), (b) ecological (habitats, biodiversity, environmental quality), (c) socio-economic (industrial production, plans and potential constraints for development, quality of life, local economy, population and demography, social problems of native peoples); (3) Data analyses: (a) change detection, (b) identification of interdependencies amongst physical, biological, social, and ecological parameters; (4) Data management: (a) metadata standards, (b) Arctic spatial data infrastructure, (c) web accessible databases and maps, (d) data accessibility to local communities; (5) Synthesis: formulation of models at multiple levels (conceptual to numerical) incorporating interdependent physical, biological and environmental changes in response to natural and anthropogenic forcing, development of response strategies.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 1: - Improved access to fundamental data for coastal zone research - Improved coastal zone classification including socio-economic data (LOICZ II typology) and spatial variability - Acquisition of comprehensive satellite imagery for detection of coastal changes Theme 2: - Decreased uncertainty of biophysical processes and change impacts to ecosystems and human society Theme 3: - Parameterisations of coastal inputs for GCMs, RCMs, and ocean-coupled models (GHG, global cycles) Theme 4: - Integrated observatory data for research on pattern, genomic composition, structure, and function of biodiversity and ecosystems Theme 6: -Data and methods supply for regional planning, local communities (including education), and for ecoregion-based management (including protected and multiple use areas) - Scientific support for sustainable development

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
ACCO-Net will establish an internationally coordinated network of coastal observatories involving several groups from the US, Canada, Russia, Norway, The Netherlands and Germany. Individual sites will be operated by national groups with international participation in field work, analyses, and data processing. Local residents will be integral to maintain year-round monitoring.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
ACCO-Net sites will cover the circum-Arctic coastlines of Eurasia, Canada and Arctic Alaska. Sites representative for different coastal types and different levels of human impact will be selected. Site selection will be coordinated with local communities and will consider the availability of existing data, site accessibility, and activities of other ongoing monitoring programmes.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 05/2006 – 10/2006      05/2007 – 12/2007      01/2008 – 12/2008
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The establishment of coastal observatories and the maintenance of the monitoring programme involves general transport logistics to the key sites (helicopters, snow terrain vehicles, etc.) and logistic support to coordinate indigenous observers. A complex suite of automatic monitoring equipment is envisioned, which requires onshore and offshore access including permafrost-drilling capability.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The ACCO-Net sites will remain as a legacy for continuing monitoring within international, national and community-based programs and management of coastal protected areas and multiple use areas. Involving local communities early on will help insure the prolongation of the infrastructure. The satellite imagery will provide a permanent record of coastal conditions for future change detection.

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

Logistics depend on national policies and can be different for individual sites. Support can partly be provided by (or appended to) existing field stations. Sites will be selected to minimize logistical costs for remote locations.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This EoI has been endorsed by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the International Permafrost Association (IPA), the International Geosphere Biosphere Programme (IGBP) / International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change IHDP - Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ II), the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), and it is under consideration by the national IPY committees of the countries involved.

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

ACCO-Net is new, though built upon and contributing to ongoing and planned Arctic programmes, such as IASC/IPA/LOICZ Arctic Coastal Dynamics (ACD), the Arctic Coastal Working Group of the 2nd International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP II)

How will the project be organised and managed?
The overall project will be coordinated on an international level, whereas individual sites are operated by national groups with international participation. A project office will be established with a secretariat to coordinate monitoring, data quality objectives and data management, and to maintain international communications including a web site and electronic newsletters. An International Steering Committee (ISC) will assist the secretariat. The ISC responsibilities are to oversee the general development of ACCO-Net and the national activities, and to actively participate in liaison and coordination with other international organisations and programmes. Annual meetings or workshops will be used to review progress and to modify the plan as required. q3_3_EOCplan : Data collection will involve: (a) local communities in the monitoring, and (b) young scientists and students in field work and analyses. Data dissemination will: (a) ensure data usability by local communities and the general public, and (b) support decision-makers in developing response strategies. The project will benefit from LOICZ II’s infrastructure for broad dissemination and communication of information.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Data collection will involve: (a) local communities in the monitoring, and (b) young scientists and students in field work and analyses. Data dissemination will: (a) ensure data usability by local communities and the general public, and (b) support decisions.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be collected, generalised, synthesised, distributed, and archived in a manner which supports: - ISO metadata standards to promote data access and value, - an Arctic spatial data infrastructure, - web accessible databases, GIS maps, and remote sensing imagery.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be mainly provided by national funding agencies (e.g. the Canadian ArcticNet Programme, NSF, RFBR, and the Russian-German programme “The Laptev Sea System”). European programmes will also provide funding (e.g., ESF, INTAS) and additional support.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This EoI has been developed by the members of the IASC/IPA/LOICZ – project Arctic Coastal Dynamics (ACD), the IASC initiative Arctic Coastal Biodiversity (ACBio) and the Arctic Coastal Processes Working Group of the 2nd International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP II). ACCO-Net seeks affiliation as a regional project consortium to the new IGBP/IHDP LOICZ II project through which a global interface for exchange and dissemination is provided including the IGOS coastal theme and the human dimensions community.Numerous groups from Canada, US, Russia, Norway, The Netherlands and Germany are involved, representing expertise in physical, biological, and social sciences. The subset of project members listed below provides one representative for each participating country.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Volker Rachold
Alfred Wegener Institute, Research Unit Potsdam
Telegrafenberg A43
14473 Potsdam
14473
Germany

Tel: +49-331-288-2174
Mobile: +49-175-7471750
Fax: +49-331-288-2137
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation