Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

A quantitative survey of benthic biodiversity in the deep basins of the Norwegian-Greenland Seas  (NGS-ABYSS)

Outline
The abyssal seabed is one of the remotest and least-known environments in the Arctic seas. Time-series studies in the deep NE Atlantic and N Pacific show that abyssal benthic communities can undergo profound shifts in biomass and taxonomic composition in response to changes in surface ocean temperature and productivity. The Arctic is believed likely to experience early and significant climate change, with probable effects on productivity and flux to the deep-sea bed, but baseline data for the prediction and monitoring of impacts in the Arctic abyss are largely lacking. The Norwegian-Greenland Seas (NGS) contain several deep (3000-4000 m) basins semi-isolated from each other by shallower seabed topography. Benthic communities in these deep basins were sampled by the French-Swedish ‘NORBI’ expedition in 1975, and the taxonomic composition of certain groups (particularly isopod crustaceans) has been studied in some detail. However the ‘NORBI’ expedition used sampling gear (e.g. epibenthic sleds) now considered poorly-quantitative, and to date there are no rigorous, adequately-replicated data on density, biomass and composition of benthic biota in these areas. This project will use the best currently-available sampling methods to provide a comprehensive dataset covering the full metazoan size spectrum from meio- to megafauna, allowing comparison with ongoing work in the Antarctic (ANDEEP) and with better-studied abyssal ecosystems of the NE Atlantic. This baseline study will allow detection of future climate-driven change in the NGS abyssal ecosystem. Specific objectives 1.To survey and characterise the benthic communities of the NGS abyssal plains using modern quantitative sampling methods. 2.To relate the distribution of benthic community structure and biomass to the quantities and sources of organic input to the NGS abyssal seabed. 3.To establish a baseline for detection of change in the NGS abyssal ecosystem in response to predicted shifts in surface ocean climate and productivity. 4.To contribute to the Arctic Census of Marine Life (CoML) by provision of data on the geographic distributions and taxonomy of NGS abyssal benthos. Methods Benthic communities will be sampled using state-of-the-art quantitative methods, including: •Wide-area towed seabed photography (epibenthic megafauna) •Hydraulically-damped multiple corers (macro- and meiofauna) •Boxcorers (burrowing megafauna) •Phospholipid or ATP measurements (microbial biomass) •Sedimentary organic matter will be characterised using stable isotopes and nutritive quality determined by analysis of chloroplastic pigments and amino acids It is envisaged that three stations will be sampled in each abyssal basin. All sampling will be fully replicated.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Achievement of the first fully quantitative description of benthic community structure and biodiversity in the NGS abyssal plains (Theme; STATUS) • Establishment of a quantitative baseline for monitoring and detection of future anthropogenic or climate-driven ecosystem change in the abyssal NGS (Theme: CHANGE) • Extension of the Arctic CoML through provision of taxonomic and distributional data from the abyssal NGS (Theme: NEW FRONTIERS) • Expansion of educational and training opportunities for students and young scientists in arctic deep-sea research

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Scientific collaboration would be sought with the University of Alaska to ensure a standardization of sampling methods with their Arctic CoML project in the abyssal Canada Basin. Collaboration would also be sought with the following institutes/research groups • Germany: Alfred Wegener Institute (W. Svalbard deep-sea research, potential access to FS Polarstern) • Russia: Institute of Oceanology, Moscow and Russian Academy of Sciences, St Petersburg (taxonomy) • Poland: Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences (taxonomy) • Norway: Universities of Oslo and Tromsø (taxonomy) q2_1_Location : Deep basins in the Norwegian Sea (west of Aegir Ridge and on Dumshaf Plain) and Greenland Sea (Greenland and Boreas Plains). Sampling could be extended to the ice-covered abyssal plains in the High Arctic (Nansen and Amundsen Basins) if shiptime can be obtained on an icebreaking research vessel.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Deep basins in the Norwegian Sea (west of Aegir Ridge and on Dumshaf Plain) and Greenland Sea (Greenland and Boreas Plains). Sampling could be extended to the ice-covered abyssal plains in the High Arctic (Nansen and Amundsen Basins) if shiptime can be obtained.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: June-September 2007 and/or 2008, dependent on shiptime availability            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
UK oceanographic research vessels RRS James Clark Ross (requested by SAMS in 2007, 2009) and/or RRS Discovery; icebreaker class vessel (if available) for sampling in High Arctic. Shiptime would be shared with other projects within the SAMS NORTHERN SEAS-ARCTIC programme, and potentially with other UK or international IPY projects.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project legacy will be intellectual rather than physical, specifically: • Expansion of education and training opportunities (at doctoral and post-doctoral level) in polar deep-sea science • A quantitative baseline for future time-series monitoring and detection of ecosystem change in the abyssal NGS.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The SAMS Northern Seas Core Programme has been approved and funded by NERC UK and reviewed and endorsed by the 2004 Science and Management Audit of SAMS. Northern Seas 2 will be reviewed in 2006.

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 SAMS Northern Seas 2 programme is a coordinated approach to multidisciplinary marine studies in the European Arctic and is a continuation of Arctic work initiated under NSP 1 2001-6. Details may be found on www.sams.ac.uk. This core strategic programme provides a vehicle for additional specific projects, including NGS-ABYSS.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be coordinated and operated by SAMS, based at the Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Oban. Logistic coordination will be carried out with the British Antarctic Survey and Southampton Oceanography Centre. The biological and biogeochemical components of the project will be managed by Operational Group Leaders and Principal Investigators in SAMS coordinated by the Director, Professor Graham Shimmield. Prof. Shimmield is also Chair of Research strategy for the University of the Highlands and Islands, a member of the Arctic Universities consortium.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
SAMS undergraduates and postgraduates are enrolled with the UHI Millennium Institute, part of the Arctic Universities Network. SAMS has a full time Education /Outreach officer and a full time Knowledge Transfer Officer linked to outreach and education activities to ensure take-up of research outcomes in the private and commercial sectors.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management is coordinated by the full-time SAMS Data Manager according to SAMS protocols. This methodology links closely to the British Oceanographic Data Centre where archival of SAMS data takes place. SAMS provides web-based information and resource capability for all its collaborative projects (www.sams.ac.uk).

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The SAMS Northern Seas Programme is funded by a 5-year core strategic grant from the UK Natural Environment Research Council. It is intended that NGS-ABYSS would seek additional funding in the form of a grant proposal to the UK Natural Environment Research Council (NERC).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Ongoing projects in the Arctic are described at www.sams.ac.uk/research, and in the annual reports and newsletters of SAMS.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr David Hughes
Scottish Association for Marine Science
Dunstaffnage Marine Laboratory
Oban, Argyll
PA37 1QA
UK

Tel: +44 (0)1631 559355
Mobile: no
Fax: +44 (0)1631 559001
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation