Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Evolution and Biodiversity in the Antarctic: the Response of Life to Change  (EBA)

Outline
The SCAR Programme EBA will explore the evolutionary history of selected modern Antarctic biota, examine how biological diversity in the Antarctic influences the way present-day ecosystems function, and thereby predict how the biota may respond to future environmental change. For the first time it will integrate understanding across the major realms of Antarctic biology (marine, terrestrial, freshwater) into the cohesive picture which is a pre-requisite of Earth-System Science. EBA will advance evolutionary and ecological theory using model systems and organisms from the Antarctic. The broad objectives are to: 1. link with geoscientists to establish more clearly the evolutionary history of the Antarctic biota 2. compare evolutionary adaptations to the Antarctic environment in a range of organisms, and thereby determine general principles 3. explore patterns of geneflow and determine their consequences for population dynamics 4. identify patterns and examine diversity of organisms, ecosystems and habitats, together with the ecological and evolutionary processes that control these 5. study the impact of past, current and predicted environmental change on biodiversity and the consequences for Antarctic marine, terrestrial and limnetic ecosystem function. The science thus extends over an entire biome on Earth, and by comparing the outcome of similar evolutionary processes over the range of Antarctic environments, fundamental insights can be obtained into evolution and the ways in which life responds to change, from the molecular to the whole-organism level, and ultimately at the biome level. The Antarctic environment offers a unique opportunity to address these globally significant questions in an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary (molecular biology, ecophysiology, microbiology, taxonomy, organismal biology) approach that is essential for understanding the structure and functioning of the earth system. EBA will involve fieldwork and labwork, in Antarctica and home institutions. The study of latitudinal gradients requires extensive international collaboration. There are clear synergies with other projects, e.g. CAML and ICEFISH 2007 (an international and multidisciplinary programme centered on a Sub-Antarctic cruise). Exploration of some areas will require new technology (for example benthic landers or ROV for the deep-sea, AUV for work beneath ice shelves). EBA will liaise with the relevant physical and historical disciplines to ensure use of the most recent data and insights in interpreting the biological results. Combining these approaches with our increasing understanding of the tectonic, climatic and glacial evolution of Gondwana offers a uniquely powerful opportunity to advance our understanding of how evolutionary processes are related to the physical setting.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Integration of work on marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems in a manner never before attempted, extending over an entire biome on Earth. Interdisciplinary investigations of system responses to change. By undertaking a time-limited, focused initiative elucidating the distribution of marine and terrestrial diversity, EBA will leave a legacy of biodiversity information and the tools with which to explore it. IPY will overlap with the timing of the EBA programme; although the EBA and IPY activities were conceived in parallel, the IPY Science Plan indicates that EBA will be able to make a significant contribution to IPY activities.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
EBA is SCAR-endorsed, therefore international by definition. This status is emphasised by links with other international programmes (CAML, ICEFISH). In fact, national programmes cannot individually attempt a study on such a scale, whereas the collaborative spirit of the Antarctic science community will provide a mechanism for achieving outstanding scientific success.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Major marine focus during IPY. National and international field programmes will include sub-Antarctic islands, remote nunataks, the Magallanes, the deep ocean, the shelves. Connections will be established with Arctic programmes, to establish comparisons with patterns of evolution and biodiversity in the northern polar environment, so different from the southern one.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: In the framework of EBA, national and international expeditions and cruises will take place in 2007-9, during IPY            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Icebreaker and/or ice-strengthened research ships; other ships; AUV; ROV; existing field stations and their logistics, where possible. National sources; possibilities of cost sharing will be explored, depending on contributions to other IPY projects, time link with other project ventures, etc.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No major infrastructure will be left in Antarctica. However, sampling sites will be identified and subsequently used to track changes in biodiversity. Collections of specimens will be made available to the scientific community.

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
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes. Besides SCAR, the Italian National Committees for IPY has endorsed EBA, and an official document will be sent in a few days. Endorsements from other National Committees (e.g. The Netherlands, Australia) are in the process of being considered.

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

It is both. It is new in its wide structure, since the SCAR Meeting in Bremerhaven, 2004 (EBA runs to 2013); but it is also a component/umbrella of SCAR existing activities: EASIZ (just lapsed), EVOLANTA, RiSCC, and is related to other planned activities: e.g. CAML, ICEFISH.

How will the project be organised and managed?
EBA will be managed by a small Scientific Programme Group, selected to include expertise in a range of habitats, organisms and scientific disciplines. The SPG will work by electronic mail but will also meet once a year. An important aspect will be liaising with other scientific disciplines. This will be achieved by a series of multidisplinary workshops focused on specific topics and run in parallel with SCAR meetings and symposia.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Trained PhD students; postgraduate awareness programme; community extension programme including web site; media coverage; conference proceedings; input to databases (national/international, e.g. Genebank); advisory reports to ATCM, CEP, CCAMLR, COMNAP; input to international programmes (CAML, ACE, APIS, CLIVAR, SO-GLOBEC, CLIC, ANDEEP, IBMANT, CPR, LGP, ICEFISH, DIVA); interactions with other SCAR programmes.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Modelling of interactions between environmental change and organism responses to facilitate predictions of change in the biota. Database management will be supported by SCAR (JCADM), mainly through national data centers, in particular the Belgium data centre and its MaRBIN programme and the AADC and the terrestrial biodiversity database.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding will be sought from national agencies (several contributions to EBA come from projects currently financially supported from national institutions). Cost-sharing initiatives. International funding agencies (European Union, etc).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
EBA is fundamental in a latitudinal gradient including the Arctic, which (together with the Sub-Antarctic) has features making it intermediate between the most extreme and physico-chemically simpler Antarctic system and the much more complex temperate ones. EBA meets almost all (and probably all during implementation) of the 9+5 criteria (also by already proposing viable plans).

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Guido di Prisco (member of the SPG)
Via Marconi 12, Naples


I-80125
Italy

Tel: +39 081 7257 242 / 234
Mobile: no
Fax: +39 081 593 6689
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation