Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Comparing the ecological characteristics and biological production of large marine polar ecosystems  (COMPOLECO)

Outline
The objective of the proposed activity is to increase the knowledge of the ecological characteristics and of the biological production and production capacity of large marine ecosystems in the Arctic (the Barents Sea, The Norwegian Sea) and in the Antarctic. This will be done by thorough ecosystem-based surveys to map the biological production at all throphic levels, and by comparing the throphic structure and interactions in these fragile ecosystems. The results will be applied in conceptual ecosystem models to explore the production potential of the systems. The hydrographic characteristics of the marine ecosystems will be monitored and modelled to establish the physical frame for exploring the variability of the biological production. The field phase of the planned activity will be based on one complete ecosystem coverage in each of the three large marine ecosystems (The Barents Sea and the Norwegian Sea in the Arctic and in the Bouvetøy area (sector 48.6) in the Antarctic). The surveys will be carried out by one of the larger Norwegian reserach vessels. In the Barents Sea the survey will be part of a joint Norwegian – Russian effort, in the Norwegian Sea as part of an ICES coordinated ecosystem mapping activity involving Norway, Russia, Iceland, The Faroes and the EU, and in the Antarctic as part of a joint CCAMLR – coordinated activity.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Our proposed activity will advance the knowledge related to most of the IPY themes. Especially our proposed activity will contribute to determine the present environmental status of some of the major marine ecosystems of the polar regions, and it will contribute to reveal changes of these marine polar ecosystems, it will contribute to establish global linkages, not at least to push the frontiers of marine science in the polar regions, and also with underlying knowledge for shaping the sustainability of circumpolar human societies.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
In the Antarctic, we will work as part of a CCAMLR activity (see separate “Expression of Intent” by CCAMLR). In the Barents Sea, the activity will be part of a joint Norwegian – Russian effort, in the Norwegian Sea as part of an ICES coordinated activity.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
In the Antarctic, the activity will cover open waters in parts of Subarea 48.6 (the Bouvetøy area). In the Arctic, we will survey the open waters in the Norwegian Sea and in the Barents Sea.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/07 – 06/07      07/07 – 10/07      
Antarctic: 01/08 – 03/08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
One of the larger Norwegian research vessels will be used for the proposed activity. A designated vessel will be used both in the Arctic and Antarctic marine ecosystems to have a standard plattform with standard gears and sampling protocols.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The Norwegian participation in the CCAMLR survey and the Norwegian surveys in the Norwegian Sea and Barents Sea will contribute to comparative knowledge about the northern and southern ecosystems.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The CCAMLR survey has been endorsed internally by CCAMLR’s Scientific Committee and Commission. The Norwegian surveys in the southern and northern regions have been endorsed by the national Norwegian IPY committee and the Institute of Marine Research. (IMR).

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?
Norway will for the first time carry out a marine survey in the southern region, while IMR and University of Bergen have surveyed the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea for many years.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The survey will be organised and managed by IMR, University of Bergen (UiB) and the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) in cooparation.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The activity will be communicated to the national and international community through web-based information campaigns, intervjues, chronicles and TV programmes. The education part will be done by involving pupils in the Norwegian schools in tasks regarding polar marine science, and scientifically by involving Master- and PhD- students in the activity.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data collected will be quality assured and complied in a data base at the Norwegian Marine Data Center which is an integrated part of IMR. The data will be made publically available for exploration by scientists from elsewhere through a separate Web – portal.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The activity will mainly be funded through the regular grants to IMR, UiB and NPI from the respective Royal Ministeries of Norway. Additional funding will be applied for through the Norwegian Research Council and through the framework programes of the EU.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
IMR, UiB and NPI have a long tradition for studying the northern marine polar ecosystem and intend now to carry out comparative studies in the northern and southern polar areas by applying state of the art principles for marine ecological studies and evaluations.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Senior scientist Svein Arnholt Iversen
Institute of Marine Research
Nordnesgt 50
Post Box 1870 Nordnes, Bergen
5817
Norway

Tel: +47 55 23 85 00/84 07
Mobile: no
Fax: +47 55 23 85 31/86 87
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation