Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

A comparative study of ecosystem function in ice-covered and ice-free Arctic Ocean areas: the North East Water Polynya as a proxy for a future ice free Arctic  (NEW ice, NO ice? Impact of ice loss on Arctic Ocean ecosystem function)

Outline
We propose a multidisciplinary biological oceanographic investigation of ecosystem function in the North East Water Polynya, and in adjacent ice-covered waters at the same latitude. By considering the polynya as a proxy for a future ice-reduced Arctic (some forecasts suggest an absence of summer sea ice by 2050) we aim to be able to infer ecosystem consequences (from carbon draw-down to fisheries) of the forecast ice loss. We propose a 6-week-duration multidisciplinary cruise to the region, on which biological processes spanning all trophic levels (from photosynthesis to predator abundance) would be measured. Subsequent to the field programme, biological data would be used in a model framework (in collaboration with climatologists, physical oceanographers and sea-ice specialists) to provide some quantitative predictions of the biological consequences to various scenarios of ice loss.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
We will use cutting edge technology to make urgently required biological and physical observations of a component of the Arctic ecosystem likely to experience profound change in the next few decades.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project is presently in the early planning stages. However, numerous teams from around the Northern Hemisphere have already worked in the target polynya and it is envisaged that interest to participate here would be strong. Existing links with scientists in Greenland, Canada and Norway, amongst others, will be developed.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The North East Water Polynya off the east coast of Greenland between 77º and 81º N

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/07 – 08/07      06/08 – 08/08      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
An ice-breaking or ice strengthened research vessel would be required. It might be possible to combine the work proposed here with zooplankton work proposed by Dr Kate Willis of the Scottish Association for Marine Sciences (SAMS)

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No; it will leave a unique and much-needed data set

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

Ship time and logistic support would be sought from BAS via NERC. Opportunities to sail aboard German and Canadian ice breakers will also be explored.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?

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

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project will be organised and managed along the lines of any other multidisciplinary cruise with international participants. Senior scientists will plan cruise activities and the work at sea will be coordinated by a PSO. Post-cruise, all parties will be involved in data analysis and write up.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Real-time web diaries will be published reporting our progress in the field. The participating scientists have a strong record of publishing articles in the popular press, and we will do this for this IPY project.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be archived in NERC centres (AEDC, BODC) in the UK

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be sought from NERC.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Andrew BRIERLEY
University of St Andrews
East Sands
St Andrews
KY16 8LB
UK

Tel: 01334 463458
Mobile: no
Fax: 01334 463443
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation