Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Kuparuk River Watershed, Proposed Long Term Hydrologic Observatory, North Slope Alaska  (Arctic LTHO)

Outline
We propose a Long-Term Hydrologic Observatory (LTHO) be established in Arctic Alaska as an international natural laboratory dedicated to understanding the dynamic interactions among hydrological, ecological and climatological processes. We propose that the Kuparuk River and some surrounding nested drainages (13,403 km²) on the North Slope of Alaska be considered as a Long-Term Hydrologic Observatory (LTHO). We intend to focus upon facets of arctic hydrology that interplay strongly with ecosystem dynamics, climate change, geophysics, near shore estuarine processes, energy dynamics and geomorphology. The climate is currently undergoing significant, broad scale change in the Arctic. The hydrological cycle is an integral component of the climate system, both moderating and driving changes in meteorology, coastal processes, and terrestrial and aquatic ecology (freshwater and marine). Warming of permafrost, decrease in sea ice extent, thinning of sea ice, later freeze up and earlier breakup of lakes, reduction of snowcover extent in the northern hemisphere and shorter season of snow on the ground are a few indications of warming in the Arctic and targets of important hydrological research. This LTHO will collect basic hydrologic data such as precipitation, streamflow, groundwater levels, etc. Meteorological and biogeochemical will also be part of all Hydrological Observatories (HOs). All core data will be collected according to published protocols and will be subject to "standard" methods that will be applied, as far as practicable, across all HOs. Scientific studies will be conducted by the core LTHO staff and by affiliated scientists.The importance of the high latitudes in the global climate must be emphasized. It is apparent that climate driven changes are presently ongoing. This is impacting the hydrologic cycle, not only through land/atmosphere interactions, but also the physical structure of the basin. The development of thermokarsts, a deeper active layer and an increase in shrubs (vegetative shift) are changes that will be reflected in the hydrologic response of these catchments. Quantifying the role of hydrology in a changing climate is critically important global science policy. Like everywhere in the world, water is a valuable resource and one that is relatively limited. To manage this resource properly, it is important that we have a sound understanding of the underlying hydrologic processes. Although the watersheds discussed here are quite pristine, future resource development and atmospheric transport of contaminants (locally and from Eurasia) into this region of the Arctic is a likely scenario. We are starting to build a strong foundation in our individual disciplines in the Arctic, but we have done little to understand the scientific bridges between linked systems (hydrology/atmospheric science; hydrologic and biogeochemical cycles; hydrologic and ecosystem interactions). Due to limited hydrologic data collection in the Arctic (sparse network, short record, poorly distributed stations), extreme events are poorly documented. These drainages extend from the Brooks Range (Rocky Mountains) to the Arctic Ocean, enabling a comparison of the hydrologic response of high gradient to low gradient watersheds and permitting a broad array of interdisciplinary studies.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Most importantly, this observatory will help scientists quantify and understand past and present natural environmental and social change in the polar regions, and improve projections of future change. Additionally, major scientific advances are necessary to improve our understanding of the interactions and controls among contemporary hydrologic process and biological systems throughout the Arctic. Arctic societies are intimately linked to hydrology, from domestic use to industrial construction of ice roads, and therefore will be integral components of this developing program. Our goal is to create products contemporary society needs to understand the arctic environment, but also to build a legacy against which we may better characterize the evolving Arctic.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International collaboration is an essential component of establishing and quantifying spatial and temporal variability within these watersheds and as comparisons to other parts of the circumpolar Arctic. Understanding the dynamic linkages among terrestrial, atmospheric and marine processes throughout the Arctic may be greatly advanced by conducting process studies in this well-instrumented LTHO, but comparisons to other research watersheds in other countries will be best advanced through paired studies and international cooperation.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The Kuparuk River is a north-draining river that originates in the northern foothills of the Brooks Range on the North Slope of Alaska. The watershed is primarily tussock tundra and is underlain by continuous permafrost. The research area would include nearly pristine mountainous, foothills and coastal plain watersheds.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Long-term monitoring, 20 years      Quantifying Feedback Processes, 5 yrs      Characterizing system interactions, 10 yrs
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
This program will require an investment in field research monitoring instrumentation. Numerous types of physical, biological, and climatological studies can be conducted in this area, enabling ample opportunities for collaboration among programs. The Arctic LTER is well established at the Toolik Lake Field station, permitting leveraging of existing field and laboratory programs.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Establishing a baseline of complementary hydrological, meteorological and ecological process interactions is necessary to understand the current system interdependence and quantify future coupled system evolution in response to a changing climate. Creation of an observatory across this pristine environment will institute a distributed network of monitoring instrumentation that will enable detection of changes in response to a changing climate or anthropogenic disturbance.

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

This observatory will be established for the benefit of all scientists who wish to study there. Essential funding will be secured to support collection of commonly needed data. Some science support will be requested from NSF, but it is expected that participating scientists will also secure their own support.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
A proposal will be submitted to the Division of Earth Sciences under the Directorate for Geosciences at the U.S. National Science Foundation in Spring, 2005 to request full support of this Long-Term Hydrological Observatory.

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?
Expansion

This program will entail a major expansion of an existing project. Hydrological studies have been conducted since 1985 in the Kuparuk River watershed (see http://www.uaf.edu/water/projects/NorthSlope/introduction.html). This builds from existing infrastructure and extensive data bases to enable greater multi-scale and interdisciplinary studies.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project will be managed through the University of Alaska-Fairbanks Water and Environmental Research Center, with its director serving as the LTHO Principal Investigator. Our position in the University of Alaska allows advantages in logistics but we will incorporate an extensive network of colleagues with vast experience in hydrologic, meteorological, ecological and climatological research and an understanding of the arctic biome. Although a mix of professional researchers, visiting scientists, post-docs, and students will be involved in this program, there will also be some long-term staff for continuity.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We propose to work with local communities to understand current and potential water resource needs and conflicts. This will be accomplished through community level research projects aimed at quantifying water resource needs and projecting the future water use coupled with a changing climate. Training of graduate students to work with community leadership will be a priority.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All of the meteorological and hydrological data that we have collected in our investigations on the North Slope of Alaska since 1984 (including those funded by NSF, DOE and EPA) have been archived in open files at the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) in Boulder, Colorado. All data collected under this program will be likewise available through that public archive for use by all.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
NSF expects to release a call for proposals in Spring, 2005 to start an enhanced hydrologic research program focusing upon the development of experimental observatories. Funding will be made available 1) to collect basic hydrological and meteorological data and 2) to address specific research objectives. The principal organization encouraging development of a series of Hydrological Observatories is CUAHSI (Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, http://www.cuahsi.org/ ) through grants from NSF.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Additional information is available via http://www.uaf.edu/water/ArcticCUAHSI.pdf

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Douglas Kane
University of Alaska Fairbanks, Water & Environmental Research Center
P.O. Box 755910 306 Tanana Drive
Fairbanks, AK
99775-5910
USA

Tel: 907-474-7808
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation