Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Large-scale processes in the Southern Ocean that influence climate variability and biodiversity at Subantarctic Islands.  (Are Subantarctic Islands biodiversity hotspots?)

Outline
Subantarctic islands are classified as isolated, hostile, impoverished regions, in which the terrestrial and marine ecosystems are relatively simple and extremely sensitive to perturbations. They provide an ideal ecological laboratory for studying how organisms, ecological processes and ecosystems respond to a changing climate in the Southern Ocean (Smith 2002). The Prince Edward Islands are sandwiched between the Subantarctic Front (SAF) to the north and the Antarctic Polar Front (APF) to the south in the south Indian Ocean. Results have shown that both fronts demonstrate a high degree of latitudinal variability possibly resulting in an increase in the interchange of surface and intermediate water masses (Deacon, 1983). In comparison, Gough Island lies immediately south of the Subtropical Convergence in the Atlantic sector. In this region the surface expression of the Subtropical Convergence is weak and moves meridionally with season. Hardly any time series exist here to prove or disprove this suggestion; the biodiversity and hydrography in the adjacent ocean waters has only been studied in a preliminary fashion (Andrew et al., 1995). Initial studies (Smith, 2002) and subsequent analyses (Melice et al., 2003) at the Prince Edward Islands in the South Indian Ocean and at Gough Island in the South Atlantic Ocean have all shown that there has been a climatological rise of between 0.5 - 1,4ºC in the sea surface temperature since 1949. Mirrored to this is a decrease in rain, an increase of over 200 hours in sunshine and an increase in winds from the warmer sector in the north-west (Melice et al., 2004). Climate changes reported at the Prince Edward and Gough Islands correspond in time to a southward shift in the Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) and in particular its frontal systems (Gille, 2002). Changes in the intensity and geographic position within these frontal systems is likely to coincide with dramatic changes in the distribution of plankton species and total productivity within the Southern Ocean. Locally, global climate change may impact on the shallow shelf ecosystems of the two islands. An even greater threat is that a warmer climate, brought on by a shift in the ACC, will increase the ease in which the Subantarctic islands can be invaded by alien species (Smith, 2002). What is abundantly clear is that a detailed study into the oceanic environment of both island groups is crucial to a better understanding of the climate and habitat for the biota of each island. Further investigations need to explore the role the meandering dynamics of the ACC and its associated fronts have in influencing the macro- and mesoscale oceanographic, climatic and background biological productivity between the ocean basins and Subantarctic islands south of South Africa This project consists of a comparative multi-disciplinary study of the oceanic environments and frontal dynamics of Prince Edward and Gough Islands. The project will consist of the following overlapping thrusts: · An investigation into the physical, biological and biogeochemical environments of the Prince Edward and Gough Islands. · A zonal comparison of the characteristics of the Subtropical Convergence in the south Atlantic and south Indian oceans. · A study of the temporal behaviour of processes at the Subtropical Convergence, Subantarctic and Antarctic Polar Fronts. · A comparison between the climate variability at the Prince Edward and Gough Islands. · An investigation into shallow shelf ecosystems of the Prince Edward and Gough Islands.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will provide significant advances on the coupling between the physical and the biological environment in the region of Gough Island and will draw comparisons with that of the Prince Edward Islands. It aims to explore the role the meandering dynamics of the ACC and its associated fronts have in influencing the macro- and mesoscale oceanographic, climatic and background biological productivity between the ocean basins and Subantarctic islands south of South Africa. Such studies in the vicinity of Gough Island have never been undertaken before.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This proposal will overlap the GoodHope/CLIVAR and ASSTEX projects. Further international collaboration will be solicited.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Two multi-disciplinary cruises to the Subtropical Convergence and Subantarctic Front in the Indian and Atlantic sectors of the Southern Ocean will be undertaken in 2007/2008. It is envisaged that high-resolution biological and oceanographic sampling will be undertaken across each front in the vicinity of Prince Edward and Gough Islands. Cruises will use CTD, XBTs, profiling floats, bottle samplers, biological net tows (Bongo, RMT-8) and other equipment available on the research vessel SA Agulhas. Cruises will be further guided by remote sensing information.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/2007 – 05/2007      09/2007 – 10/2007      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Logistical support for this project will be provided under the framework of the South African National Antarctic Programme currently managed by the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Department of Science and Technology. This support will be in the form of dedicated ships time during the relief voyages to both the Prince Edward and Gough Islands. Equipment will be made available onboard the SA Agulhas through Marine and Coastal Management.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
This project will not leave a legacy of infrastructure

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This project has been endorsed at a national level by the South African National Antarctic Programme (SANAP-DST). It is expected that this project will gain further international endorsement by its integration into the GoodHope/ CLIVAR and ASSTEX programmes.

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?


This project is a component of an existing project (Southern Ocean Climate and Biodiversity - SOCAB) funded under the framework of SANAP. This is a new 5 year project ending in 2010.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be managed principally from the Oceanography Department at the University of Cape Town.Time Frame2005 – Draw up final proposal including scientific, budget and implementation plan.First half 2006 – Discuss cruise objectives, scientific plan, national and international participation.Second half 2006 – Meeting with both national and international partners to finalise cruise plan.First half 2007 – Prince Edward Island cruise (April 2007)Second half 2007 – Gough Island cruise (September 2007)2008 – Workshop to discuss results of the 2 cruises, cruise outcomes i.e. reports, publications, management of dataNote on Project and co-Project LeadersThe main applicant for the physical component of the proposed programme is Prof. Johann Lutjeharms of the University of Cape Town. He has been involved in research on the Southern Ocean since 1972 and has produced a large number of publications in prestigious journals on the subject. He has personally taken part in 11 research cruises to the Southern Ocean and managed or planned another 19. He has been involved in the SANAP since 1977, having planned the first pioneering research cruises on the then supply vessel RSA and having taken part in the maiden voyage of the research and supply vessel SA Agulhas. Dr Isabelle Ansorge is responsible for all sea going training and data collection onboard the SA Agulhas. It is intended that through this training, all students completing a degree, whether undergraduate or postgraduate in Oceanography receive hands-on experience in operating oceanographic instrumentation and in the analysis of all hydrographic data collected.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The main impact of our group’s activities in addressing education, outreach and communication issues will lie in 4 areas:1. New knowledge in understanding and predicting climate variability and its impact on the Southern Ocean ecosystem2. Establishing linkages between changes in biodiversity and climate change3. Educating a new generation of oceanographers and providing a legacy for young scientists to continue with Southern Ocean research4. Informing the public to issues pertaining to climate change, climate variability and the ocean.In addition, our group has always had a solid number of postgraduate students, national, African as well as international. We have an excellent track record of nurturing and supporting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The majority of our postgraduate students are from such backgrounds. We fully expect this to continue. Some of these students have gone on to study for higher degrees at distinguished universities abroad. A significant number now have senior positions in the civil service and private sectors.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data collected will be archived at the South African Data Centre for Oceanography (SADCO). All participants in the project will receive complete datasets from both cruises.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The project falls within the framework of SANAP. Dedicated ships time will be provided to undertake this project. Additional funds will be solicited from other national and international programmes.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Johann Lutjeharms
Oceanography Department
University of Cape Town
Rondebosch
7700
South Africa

Tel: 27+21+650 3279
Mobile: no
Fax: 27+21+650 3979
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation