Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

FUNDAMENTAL CAUSES OF LOCAL CLIMATES AS THE BASIS OF ECOSYSTEMS DIFFERENTIATION AND DYNAMICS ON THE AREA OF WEST SPITSBERGEN, SVALBARD  (TOPOCLIM)

Outline
The main objective of the proposal is to investigate fundamental causes of climate which form the local conditions in various geoecosystems in the area of Spitsbergen. The system of local air circulation generated by complex relief and modified by the various types of surfaces is an important factor creating the local climatological conditions. The arctic environment of Spitsbergen produces advantageous conditions for development of thermally induced local circulations. These circulations are caused or influenced by the co-existence of various types of surfaces: open water, sea ice, seasonal snow cover, glaciers, and unglaciated surfaces. The complex relief produces a mosaic of local climates with its specific components of net radiation balance, temperature and humidity, cloudiness and wind. The local biodiversity, differentiation of seasonal snow cover and the dynamics of the active layer of permafrost and geomorphologic processes regulated by water outflow reflect the influence of local climates. The global changes are the background of the observed sensitive interactions. For many years, Norwegian, German and Polish expeditions (both round-year and seasonal) have operated in six different areas of Spitsbergen. These far-flung (~200 km) locations and the archived data from them constitute “reference points” for future detailed studies. Parallel and extended measurements and archived data will enable us to characterise features of local climates and to develop a model of the spatial relations. The expected results will be applied to studies of ecosystem diversity and polar geoecosystem changes. We plan to carry out a one-year measurement program, with special attention on the polar night. We will deploy data loggers at the six reference sites and in their broader vicinity taking account of the gradient of elevation. The range of measurements will be extended during the polar day and we will use Doppler sodar to measure the vertical structure of the boundary layer (inversion, elevated inversion, convection). The measured data, when combined with synoptic/oceanographic information will allow us to: identify basic categories of local air circulation, describe its extension, intensity and frequency, estimate the spatial variability of temperature and humidity conditions

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
-Long-term data (meteorology, glaciology, active layer, environmental chemistry) implemented from seasonal measurements and other observations (geomorphology, biology) create a database which entitle for various synthetic recapitulations in the context of global changes. -The results will be applied to studies of ecosystem diversity and geoecosystem changes (glacial and periglacial phenomena, permafrost active layer, biology). -Fjord Hornsund and Kongs fjord are the flagship sites of the BIOMARE network for biodiversity research. Long term and multidisciplinary research is carried out in the both areas -Locations, distances and archived data from the investigated areas qualify them as e “reference points” for detailed studies.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany - Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Science, Russia - Norwegian Polar Institute, Norway - University of Utah, United States and from Poland - Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences - Adam Mickiewicz University - Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun - Maria Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin - University of Wroclaw

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
West Spitsbergen of the Svalbard Archipelago with focus on Hornsund Fjord, Kongs Fjord, Petunia Bay, Kaffioyra and Belsund.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 07/2006 - 06/2007      07/2007 - 06/2008      07/2008 - 06/2009
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
-transport and local transport on Spitsbergen - ship, aerial transport, snowmobiles (local commercial service possible) - accommodation and logistics facilities at Hornsund and in Ny - Alesund - accommodation and logistic facilities – 4 field stations

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will not leave a solid infrastructure (area of national parks !) but will leave measurement equipment.

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

A consortium of national polar operators co-ordinated by the Institute of Geophysics, Pol.Acad.of Sci. has prepared a preliminary project plan accepted by a national agency. The project unifies the logistics of transportation and common activity and includes a budget for 1-2 seasons of field work (2005-2006).

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The proposal was accepted by Polish Committee for 4-IPY 2007-2008 in accordance with the framework of National Polar Programme.2002 -2010

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?
Exp

-The project refer to the Arctic Climate Diversity research initiative for the 4-IPY. - The detailed proposal is from preliminary research carried out during a one year expedition (2003/2004). We intend to continue the research in 2005/2006 and extend the field work into the 2007/2008 IPY period.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project Steering Committee has been set up to apply international experience and to guarantee quality of the results. The committee members are: Julia Boike (G), C.David Whiteman (USA, Chair), Andrey Glazovsky (RU), Jon Borre Orbak (N), Andrzej Kostrzewski (PL), Kazimierz Pekala (PL), Rajmund Przybylak (PL) and Krzysztof Migala (PL, co-ordinator). The proposal is designed by a consortium of polish polar operators co-ordinated by the Institute of Geophysics, Pol. Acad. of Sci. The consortium will unify logistics, common activity and the data exchange.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The collected data will be analysed and presented: - conferences and symposia (both as preliminary and final reports and papers) - in national and world databases - databases to be used for education at the university level - announce the IPY activities to the general public media: newspapers, TV, etc.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The collected data will be included in the following national and world databases: - ISCU WDC - IPA - NOAA CDC

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project will be funded in the years 2005-2006 by the Polish State Committee for Scientific Research (Ministry of Scientific Research and Information Technology). The project members declare to find different funding opportunities for common activity during the 4-IPY (national agencies etc.)

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
No additional information

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Krzysztof Migala
University of Wroclaw
Institute of Geography and Regional Development
1 Uniwersytecki Sqr, Wroclaw
PL - 51137
Poland

Tel: +4871 + 348 54 41
Mobile: no
Fax: +4871 + 372 94 98
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation