Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Climate change, seabird populations and Arctic terrestrial ecosystem  (CSATE)

Outline
Arctic ecosystems function in the contact zone of sea and land. The land part is not self-sufficient, due to constant shortage of nutrients. At the same time, production is very high in the sea. The homoeothermic animals play a crucial role, as their biochemical and physiological processes (e.g. food assimilation) take place in optimal temperature of their body. The most important group is seabirds that forage on sea and breed on land, and then by transporting large amounts of organic matter, they sustain the land part of the ecosystem and initiate the emergence of local tundra communities increasing production and species diversity. Climate changes, both cyclic (e.g. North-Atlantic Oscillation) and long-term, lead to changes in the sea currents system, and consequently, to a rebuilding of zooplankton communities, with a dominance of large species in the cold Arctic waters and small ones in warmer waters. Domination of large forms favours plankton-eating seabirds, such as Little Auk Alle alle, while the dominance of small forms redirects food chain to plankton-eating fish, and only then to fish-eating birds (e.g. guillemots Uria sp.). Thus, the plankton-eating birds should dominate the avifauna in cold periods and recess in warmer periods, when fish-eaters prevail. The climate warming will result in serious consequences for the structure and functioning of terrestrial part of ecosystem, among others due to expected changes in the Arctic avifauna. Large colonies of Little Auks are located on mild mountain slopes, usually a few kilometres off the shore, whereas colonies of fish-eating guillemots are situated on coastal cliffs. Their range of impacts is then much smaller because of the rapid washing-out of the biogenic salts (guano) deposited on the land back to the sea. This dramatically limits the range of occurrence of ornithogenic soils with the accompanying flora and fauna. Due to different diet, plankton and fish-eating seabirds produce guano differing in chemical composition and favouring development of different bacterial, plant and animal communities.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Project aims to conduct a multidisciplinary case study presenting cascading effect of climate change on Arctic marine and terrestrial ecosystems. It will help to share data through web pages and provide new documentation for educational and public communication.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
NTNU Trondheim, Norway Claremont College, USA Alaska Pacific University USA USGS-Alaska Science Center

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Spitsbergen, Hornsund

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06-08/2007 – 06-08/2008            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Polish Polar Station in Hornsund r/v Oceania

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Project is based on the cooperation between Polish, Norwegian and USA scientists and facilities at their disposal

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Accepted by Polish National Commettee for 4-IPY 2007-2008

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

Project is a new autonomous proposal but bases on long-term research activity in Hornsund. The IPY will allow strengthening the logistics and international cooperation.

How will the project be organised and managed?
There will be an international Steering Committee consisting of scientists from countries and institutions involved in the project.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project as well as currently collected materials will be presented in the web page open to public interest.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Internet

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National funds and international funds applications

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Lech Stempniewicz
University of Gdansk
Legionów 9
Gdansk
80-441
Poland

Tel: +58 5201690
Mobile: no
Fax: +58 3412016
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation