Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

The Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring Program: An IPA Contribution to the International Polar Year  (IPA CALM)

Outline
The International Permafrost Association project Circumpolar Active Layer Monitoring (CALM) program monitors the thickness of the seasonally frozen and thawed near-surface layer in permafrost regions. Under sustained climatic warming, thickening of the active layer will be accompanied by thaw of ice-rich permafrost. Widespread, systematic changes in the thickness of the active layer will have profound effects on the flux of greenhouse gases, on the human infrastructure in cold regions, and on landscape processes. Long-term observations of active-layer thickness, obtained using standard measurement protocols, are the essential rationale behind the CALM network. Local site conditions and seasonal variations in climate create complex interactions that determine the magnitude of seasonal soil thaw and related biogeochemical processes. Establishment of long-term time series of thaw measurements at locations across diverse terrain types and regions are required to identify scales of spatial variation, establish trends, and validate models. The CALM observational network observes the long-term response of the active layer and uppermost permafrost to changes and variations in climate at more than 125 sites in both hemispheres and involves 14 participating countries. The CALM network and its companion program, Thermal State of Permafrost (TSP), address the need for long-term active layer, thaw settlement, and permafrost-temperature measurements. CALM also stresses integration and scaling of data to provide the basis for comprehensive regional assessments of active-layer changes and preparation of data sets specifically constructed to assist in validating modeling efforts in climate change, ecology, hydrology, and geocryology. CALM maintains a web-accessible database, and will continue to foster existing and develop new collaborative relationships with related observational networks and research programs. CALM will also contribute to educational programs ranging from elementary school though postdoctoral appointments. CALM and TSP are the only two coordinated international observational networks devoted to permafrost (together, they comprise the Global Terrestrial Network-Permafrost, or GTN-P). The present active-layer network of 125 sites represents the only coordinated and standardized program of observations designed to observe and detect decadal changes in the seasonal thawing and freezing of high-latitudes soil. A series of meetings to verify sites and refine measurement protocols is planned at international conferences and workshops in 2005 and 2006. Results will be presented at the Ninth International Conference on Permafrost in Fairbanks in June 2008, and at the 33rd Geological Congress in Olso in August, and at SCAR conferences.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Long-term data sets covering active-layer thickness, thaw subsidence, and shallow temperature provide a basis for assessing many climate-change impacts in the cryosphere. CALM and TSP data can be used to: provide a baseline against which future changes in the permafrost system can be assessed; validate climatic scenario models; and facilitate reanalysis of past ground temperature (Themes 1 and 2). The recent Arctic Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA) reported renewed concerns that accelerated thaw of permafrost has major impacts on infrastructures and coastal processes and local communities (Theme 6). CALM data will provide authoritative documentation of existing conditions and changes.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The IPA is an affiliated organization of IUGS and IGU. All 24 IPA countries are involved in TSP. The SCAR Expert Group on Permafrost is our partner for Antarctica. IPA and CliC (WCRP) have a MOU. IPA manages GTN-P for WMO. The IPA Secretariat at UNIS (Svalbard) provides international coordination.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
CALM maintains observations sites in many of Earth’s permafrost regions, including the Arctic, major subarctic regions, lower latitude mountains and plateaus, the Antarctic and several subantarctic islands.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 6/05 to 12/08            
Antarctic: 12/05 to 04/08            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Helicopter support will be required for remote sites in Russia , Canada, Alaska, and some other locations (e.g., in Antarctica), and can be shared with others when feasible.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
CALM is working with TSP in seeking to establish permanent permafrost observatories on lands protected from human disturbance. Therefore, ground temperature measurements and related data obtained by future generations of researchers will reflect natural change in climate and the environment.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Commercial operator
Own support
Other sources of support

Logistics are at the individual national project level. Many CALM sites are accessible by ground transportation. Helicopter support is required for some sites in Russia and the US.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Endorsements are pending in countries with National IPY committees. All IPA members have been asked to include reference to CALM and TSP in their own IPY activities.

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?
Expansion

CALM is an existing program affiliated with WMO GCOS and FAO GTOS networks under GTN-P. CALM and TSP make up the GTN-P program; the IPA is the facilitator for GTN-P.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The IPA and its 24-member Council form the core oversight organization. Within IPA there are several working groups and data activities that share common interest in CALM. A small project management team has been identified to manage CALM planning and coordination, and workshops at national and international conferences are used to develop and track project plans.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
All national participating programmes are urged to include young researchers and students in CALM. Universities are establishing curricula with field sites (Tyumen State Oil and Gas University and the University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) provide instruction). The CALM and IPA web sites and the newsletter Frozen Ground disseminate information.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The CALM website is the primary location for CALM data. Final data sets are archived at NSIDC, which will produce a Legacy CD for the Ninth International Conference on Permafrost in 2008.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Principal field funding will be from national and regional governments, and regional programmes (EU, INTAS), and where possible private sources such as oil and gas and other resource developers. The U.S. National Science Foundation currently supports work in Alaska, Russia, Mongolia, and Kazakhstan.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The following lists the countries and number of CALM sites currently identified within the GTN-P. Additional CALM sites will be identified throughout the planning phases (2005-2006). Antarctica (14); Canada (21), China (11), Denmark/Greenland (3), Iceland (4), Kazakhstan/Kyrgyzstan (3), Mongolia (11), Sweden (4), Switzerland (2), Norway*/Svalbard (4), Russia* (24), USA (31).

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Frederick Nelson
Department of Geography, Pearson Hall
University of Delaware
Newark, DE
19716
USA

Tel: 302-831-0852
Mobile: no
Fax: 302-831-6654
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation