Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #43:Implications for indigenous populations related to fish resources as an impact of climate change  (Implications for indigenous populations related to fish resources as an impact of climate change)

Outline
Lifestyles that sustain indigenous communities in circumpolar arctic include fishing. Fish make a significant contribution to the diet of indigenous populations as well as a social and cultural role. Changes in the availability of fisheries resources could lead to shifts in community structure and cultural traditions. It is understood that the impacts from climate change will accelerated a change in the resource. It is therefore important to assess the societal value on the resource and the implications related to resource change. The unique Artic processes require a combination of scientific investigation and detailed documentation of indigenous knowledge. There are numerous factors which may influence the availability of the resource. One factor which has not been rigorously studied in Yukon is related to stream morphology and essentially the habitat which fish live. In order to track and predict those changes it is necessary to establish strategic reference sites and document the existing stream morphology as well as establish recent changes through means such as forest study plots. The focus will be on specific small regions, at the local level, where an assessment of impacts of climate change has the greatest relevance and utility for local residence and their lifestyle. As well, the existing data accessible from both poles, including the Canadian and Finnish arctic and Antarctica, will be revisited to provide historical, broad scale perspective on stream changes.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This proposal will establish baseline reference sites to determine present status of stream morphology of specific site of interest. The documentation of scientific and traditional knowledge will provide opportunity to past and present use of the fisheries resource and to predict change for the future. Re-visiting data collected at both poles will provide global linkages and allow for a large scale perspective and comparison of changes. The human dimension included in this project is related to the community reliance on the fisheries resource and possible changes to that society as a result of climate change.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
John Fenwick, New Zealand National Institute for Water and Atmospheric Research Research community in Alaska, Northern Canada and Finland.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The geographic locations for the proposed field work includes involves both poles on the earth. The field work will be conducted in various locations in Yukon and Alaska as well as Banks Island in the North West Territories and Finland. As well, in the Antarctic continent at the Onyx River.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 05/2007 – 09/2007      05/2008 – 09/2008      
Antarctic: 12/2007 – 01/2008            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The Yukon and Alaska field work will require helicopter support due to the sparse road network and remote locations necessary for research.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
There will be no resulting legacy of physical infrastructure.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
This pre-proposal has been reviewed and is being submitted by the Canadian Steering Committee (CSC). Ongoing discussions will integrate this pre-proposal into a larger network of related national and international initiatives. The CSC has initially sorted this pre-proposal into: Healthy and Sustainable Communities: Sustainable Communities

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?
New

This proposal is a new project. There is a gap in the quintessential geomorphologic information and related traditional knowledge in the polar regions.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The management of the project will be carried out by a consultant. The role of the project manager will include overseeing the transfer of funds to universities and coordination of research site selection with aboriginal groups and researchers. The project manager will oversee and contract out the report which merges the scientific data with traditional knowledge.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The initial plans of the project related to EOC include the intent to place polar community students and aboriginal peoples as a priority in the graduate research programs and as project assistances. This places the scientific research capabilities and experience into the hands of community members.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Preliminary thoughts regarding management of data includes the local Yukon College archives as well as an international organization that is mandated to maintain data.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding for this project will primarily be obtained through IPY funds.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Eero Karanka
8 North Star Drive, Whitehorse, Yukon


Y1A-6J4
Canada

Tel: (867) 668-4366
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation