Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #27: Canadian Arctic Network of Coastal Observatories  (CANCO)

Outline
In the Canadian Arctic, the coastal zone is the primary site for human activities including both traditional harvesting by the Inuit of marine and terrestrial resources and industrial development (e.g. hydrocarbons and mining). Coastal retreat along submerging sedimentary coasts around the Arctic basin is already recognized as a process of environmental change of global importance. The erosion processes are exacerbated by the rising global sea level and the thermal sensitivity of ice-rich permafrost. The Canadian Arctic coastline, however, presents an even larger variety of environmental conditions that deserve to be considered both for their scientific interest and for their great importance in the transformation of terrestrial and marine ecosystems, for the way of life of the Inuit and for forecasting the impacts of the industrial development that may arise with increasingly easier access to mineral resources and shipping. Regions of the Canadian Arctic where postglacial uplift exceeds eustatic sea level rise (central Arctic and Hudson Bay) have emerging coastlines. Emergence under sufficiently cold climate leads to permafrost aggradation in sediments that are in transition from marine to subaerial exposure through the tidal zone. Geophysical uplift models, tide-gauge data, coastal geomorphology, radiocarbon dating of organic remains representing past sea levels, and the occurrence of storm surges suggest that some areas both in the eastern and in the western Arctic are actually undergoing a transition from emergence to submergence. Canada’s long coastline around mainland and islands has rocky shores, bays, fjords, tidal flats, beaches, lagoons, deltas and tidal glaciers that are all experiencing changes in environmental forcing driven by climate warming that reduces the duration of the ice season and increases the exposure to ever more frequent storm waves and surges. Coastal ice includes pack ice, shorefast ice and bottomfast ice in the tidal zone. Terrestrial ecosystems and permafrost along the coasts will be altered by the changing climates as cloudiness, wind, snowfall, and rain regimes are likely to be affected by changes in sea ice extent and duration. Measured and observed data on the parameters of the Canadian Arctic Coastal system are still very fragmentary. The proposed activity consists in 1- Documenting the current status of Canadian Arctic coasts in the context of their long-term evolution, 2- Establishing a network of key observatories for the monitoring of coastal change and for acquiring the data required to fully document the impacts of climate warming and sea-level change in the sensitive coastal zone.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1- Assessment of the sensitive and very dynamic marine-terrestrial interface in complement with other earth components studied during IPY (land, marine systems, sea ice, glaciers…) 2- Obtaining necessary field data to quantify changes. 3- Parameterisations of coastal inputs for GCMs, RCMs and ocean-coupled models. 4- New technologies to be developed for monitoring still unknown and difficult parameters (e.g. thermal regime of permafrost under shore ice and the seabed). 5- Arctic contribution to global network of sea level measurement sites and earth crustal deformations. 6- Knowledge for integrated coastal management. Knowledge-based support for cultural adaptation to changes. Scientific support for sustainable development.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
CANCO is the Canadian component of Arctic Circumpolar Coastal Observatory Network (ACCO-net) proposed to IPY by the Arctic Coastal Dynamics program (ACD). Other participating countries are USA, Russia, Norway, The Netherlands and Germany. National observatories will be operated by national groups with international collaboration in field work, analyses and data processing.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The Observatories will be located at logistically accessible sites through communities, research stations and federal facilities in Nunavik, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and possibly Yukon. Their geographical distribution will reflect variable conditions: relative sea-level changes, geological setting, erosion vs accretion, coastal ice duration, continuous and discontinuous permafrost.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 04/06– 12/06      01/07-12/07       01/08– 12/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Research stations (CEN’s in Nunavik and others in northern Canada), Polar Continental Shelf Project, CCGS Amundsen with launch, helicopters, boats from communities, skidoos, permafrost drill, cone penetration testing instrumentation, geophysical instrumentation (e.g. chirp sonar, multibeam echosounder, interferometric sidescan, GPR, thermistor cables), high-resolution geodetic and survey DGPS, automatic network of meteo stations and cameras, existing observational sites partly equipped. All shared with other initiatives.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The Canadian and international network of coastal observatories will maintain monitoring after IPY. National and international science programs will keep benefiting from it. They will serve as educational tools. They will become part of the infrastructure in the communities where they will be set and will be operated with their involvement.

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

At least one observatory in Canada will be set with the support from a collaborating country (Germany) and operated with joint logistics.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The project has been “endorsed” by a group of scientists at the ArcticNet meeting in Québec city (5 December 2004). ACD is already endorsed by: International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), International Permafrost Association (IPA), International Geosphere-Biosphere Program (IGBP), International Human Dimension Program on Global Change (IHDP), Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ II). 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?
Expansion

CANCO will build upon existing infrastructures established by the Federal government and the research community as well as on the existing limited network of geodetic, water level and weather stations. It is a joint initiative from Federal government laboratories and Universities. Some sites are already characterized in terms of both shallow marine and terrestrial geology and ecology. Common quality standards will be set for existing and new observatories.

How will the project be organised and managed?
CANCO shall be coordinated on a national level whereas individual sites shall be operated by researchers and institutions that have regional experience and interests. A project office will be established with a secretariat. The secretariat will be assisted by and take directions from a Project Steering Committee (PSC). The PSC’s primary responsibilities will be to oversee the development and operation of CANCO and serve as the coordinating office between the organizations (Universities, Government agencies, Arctic Communities) that participate in the network. The PSC will also be responsible for integration and coordination of CANCO within the international project ACCO-net.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
CANCO is proposed by a nucleus composed of ArcticNet Investigators (Governments and Universities). The education, outreach and communication strategy will follow the newly established channels and methods already applied by ArcticNet. Key components of the strategy are the annual meeting, participation of schools, community consultation and participation, and media attraction.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be collected, standardized, synthesized, and archived in a manner which supports (i) metadata standards (ISO) to promote data access and value, (ii) an international Arctic spatial data infrastructure and (iii) web accessible databases and maps for GIS spatial data.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Total funding required: 4.5 M$ (6 observatories at 750 k$/each) Break down: Government proportion 1.125M$ (25%), University research community 3.375 M$ (75%). Other Potential funds: a) ArcticNet: 230k$/y. (current budget of CANCO members in Arcticnet Projects 1.2 and 2.4). b) Germany’s BGR : 100k$ (partnership with Centre d’études nordiques for one observatory) c) Researchers’ NSERC grants: 150 k$/y (rough estimate)

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The coastal zone represents a critical interface between Arctic marine and terrestrial systems. The dominance of marine forcing by waves, sea ice and water levels is manifested by impacts on the terrestrial systems. This intimate interaction as well as the importance of the coasts to humans and highly valued ecosystems should be recognized as a critical part of the upcoming IPY.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Michel Allard
Université Laval, Sainte-Foy , Quebec


G1K 7P4
Canada

Tel: 418-656-5416
Mobile: 418-953-6983
Fax: 418-656-3960
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation