Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Hydrological cycle in Arctic Region  (HydroArctic)

Outline
The Arctic region shows a unique hydrological cycle due to the pattern of distribution of sea and continent, and existence of characteristic surface conditions such as permafrost, snow cover and vegetation on the continent. The hydrological cycle changes according to the interaction between atmosphere, ocean and land surface occurs in this region. However, understanding of this hydrological cycle is not at sufficient level due to uncertainty of various data, such as uncertainty of precipitation amount and non-measurement of runoff from various Arctic draining rivers, besides, less information about marine conditions. Renalysis data also has low reliability due to these conditions since they rely on observation data. The present project focus on the multi discipline study on the hydrological cycle in the Arctic region. The project will improve the understanding of the hydrological conditions in the Arctic sector (north of approximately 50N) of the Eurasian Continent, on certain years, for development of from intensive observation in 2007-2008. The following three will be the main objectives.(1) Obtain more accurate values for elements composing the hydrological cycle in these regions (precipiation, evaporation, storage in ground, runoff, atmospheric convergence/divergence) and establish high quality data-sets.(2) Clarify the ocean/atmosphere interaction related to hydrological cycle.(3) Establish the observation network for the future changes of hydrological cycle which is expected to occur in the present century.In order to accompolish the above objectives, following actions will be taken.(1) Intensify radio-sonde observation, surface measurement network, radar measurement, GPS and solid precipitation measurements for two years, 2007-2008. (2) River measurements (runoff and related meteorological and other hydrological measurements) will be increased for the two years.(3) Based on the data from above observation, reanalysis data will be obtained from GCM calculations, and detail analysis will be made for seasonal variations of hydrological cycle.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Improved data-sets for water/energy cycle can be obtained from this observations and study. It will help to apply these data to the water management in the Arctic terrestrial regions. The outcome of the project will contribute to the future changes of Arctic climate, resultantly the future changes of the global climate.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This study and observation will be made implemented based on the recommendation from WCRP-CliC project. This study will contribute greatly to this project. The previous study has been done by GAME-Siberia project of WCRP-GEWEX, CREST Research Project on vegetation and hydrological cycle in boreal forest and institutional study done by IORGC(JAMSTEC) and FRCGC(JAMSTEC). This study will coordinate with CEOP 2nd phase as CEPOP.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Presently, it is planned to cover the cold regions of the northern Eurasia, that is, Siberian regions including Russia and Mongolia.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 01/07 – 12/08            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
TBD: Possibility is multi-instrumented platform, snow-terrain vehicle, existing field stations, new field stations, helicopters and fized wing geophysical aircraft.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The observations sites will be mainly based on present existing stations. However, several new stations will be established and will be possible to be used as long-term monitoring sites for water/energy and material cycle in these regions. The data-sets which will be established, can be used as basic data for understanding and analyzing the Arctic climate for long time until better data-sets are made.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
WCRP/CliC has not yet endorsed each project which is directed to IPY years, but has recommended strong participation of projects to the IPY. The content of present project was discussed in the CliC SSG (Science Steering Group) Meetings.The CEOP Phase II, Part II (2007-2010) component, which states that CEOP will “Undertake and conclude a Cold Region Study in Cooperation with the WCRP CliC Project and the IPY effort” has been endorsed by the CEOP Science Steering and Advisory and Oversight Committees.

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?
yes

The present project is a follow-on and expansion project of past GAME-Siberia Project and on-going IORGC project. On the other hand, CEOP Phase II, has been endorsed and the Draft CEOP Phase II, Implementation/Science Plan has a data and science component that is consistent with the CEOP framework that will be available during IPY 2007-2008, to accommodate this project i.e.CEPOP

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organized through the joint collaboration between Japanese groups working on CliC Program and IORGC activities, and Russian and Mongolian hydrometeorological organization, similar to the organizing procedures for GAME-Siberia. And it will be managed through the joint Project Committee of these organization.The CEOP Science Steering Committee (SSC), which has been established to guide the work of CEOP will be augmented with appropriate membership to ensure CEPOP will evolve as planned. The CEOP Advisory and Oversight Committee (AOC) will also be asked to assist with oversight and connections to the main supporting agencies that are necessary for the success of CEPOP.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Presently, the data will be managed by IORGC/JAMSTEC or other contributing bodies.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The funding would be expected from various potential resources. In Japan, they are the institutional fund of JAMSTEC, application to the several funding resources in Japan.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Program Director Tetsuo Ohata
Institute for Observational Research for Global Change, JAMSTEC
2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka
237-0061
Japan

Tel: +81-46-867-9250
Mobile: no
Fax: +81-46-867-9255
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation