Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #185: Canadian Antarctic Research Program  (CARP)

Outline
An expectation of Canada’s full membership in SCAR is the development of an Antarctic research program. In its strategy document “Antarctic Science and Bipolar Linkages “ (CPC 2002) the Canadian Committee for Antarctic Research (CCAR) identified the creation of a Canadian Antarctic Research Program (CARP) as one of its highest priorities. In 2003 CCAR organised an international workshop (Polar Connections) to identify areas of Canadian scientific expertise that form the basis of CARP. During IPY, polar science will be in the national and international spotlight and will be an ideal time for Canada to launch CARP. A Canadian Antarctic Research Program will provide support for Canadian research activities in Antarctica and will compliment traditional sources of research funding (NSERC, SSHRC, CIHR). Canadian scientists have conducted research in Antarctica for decades, but in the absence of a national program Canadians participate as part of national programs of other countries. CARP will allow Canadians to undertake their own research and particpate in or even lead international projects as equal partners. Since Canada does not intend to build a research base in Antarctica it will be through CARP that Canadian researchers will buy space and support from other countries. At the heart of CARP is a science program emphasizing (but not limited to) three scientific themes where Canadian researchers are already active: •Theme1, Contaminants, biota and polar microbial ecosystems, •Theme 2, Ice observations and environmental change and •Theme 3, Polar desert landscape ecology. The research team involved in contaminiants, biota and polar microbial ecosystems is the most advanced in its research planning with Antarctic partnerships and active field programs with France, UK, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand. Contaminants in polar environments are a serious problem and is an area of science where Canada is a recognized world leader. This research is truly bipolar in nature and has tremendous value for the people of northern Canada. Canadian researchers and technologies also have international recognition in the area of ice observations and environmental change. For example RADARSAT is one of the most widely used remote sensing platforms in the analysis of Antarctic ice sheet and ice shelf dynamics. Several Canadians are involved in ongoing ice research in both polar regions. The group involved in this theme propose to investigate ecosystem response to warming in the area of the Antarctic Peninsula. This research will compliment research in the Canadian Arctic that has been included in several IPY proposals. Research activities in various aspects of Antarctic landscape ecology and paleoenvironmental reconstruction is underway by several Canadian researchers in partnership with New Zealand, Italy, USA, UK and Bulgaria. The main focus of this theme will be an investigation of landscape relationships along an environmental gradient in the McMurdo Dry Valleys region. Research outside of these theme areas will also need to be supported by CARP. Data management is also a key component of CARP and plans include the use of innovative GIS tools developed by Canadian researchers involved in the Cybercartographic Atlas of Antarctica. CARP will provide the basis for a co-ordinated program of Canadian Antarctic research. CARP will serve as a focus for Canadian Antarctic research, working with relevant agencies and organisations to articulate science objectives that reflect Canada’s need for information about Antarctica. CARP provides a vehicle for grouping all Canadian IPY proposals with bipolar and Antarctic activities. The Earth’s polar regions drive many global systems and with uncertainties about global climate change looming large the need for information about both polar regions has never been greater. As a polar nation Canada needs to be concerned with both the Arctic and the Antarctic as part of the global system

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
CARP contributes to 5 of the 6 IPY themes. All three CARP research areas will advance the understanding of the present environmental status of the polar regions as well as characterising past and present natural environmental change. The contanimants research will provide insight into several aspects of human impacts in polar regions as well as developing remediation solutions. All three areas will also provide insight into linkages with global systems and polar regions. This research involves new technologies and will investigate the frontiers of science in the polar regions.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Several have been listed in the specific IPY pre-proposals that have already been submitted. A preliminary list of partner countries includes: France, UK, USA, Bulgaria, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Contaminants research will focus on several research bases around the Antarctica and contaminated sites in the Arctic. Ice observation research will focus mainly on the Antarctic Peninsula and landscape ecology research the McMurdo Dry Valleys.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: TBC            
Antarctic: TBC            

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Travel to Antarctica, access to research bases, fixed and rotary support, remote camp capabilities, food, fuel and clothing

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The creation of CARP and Canada’s ongoing research presence in Antarctica

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

Purchase of support from other countries Antarctic programs

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: Antarctic This project is the outcome of several years of consultation by CCAR with CPC, and invited direct input from several foreign programs in an international workshop in 2003.

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

CARP has been the primary goal of the Canadian Committee for Antarctic Research since its creation in 1998, and was a goals of its predecessor

How will the project be organised and managed?
The management structure will depend on the level of funding secured. Ideally it will include a director, an executive committee and a management board.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Existing CCAR and CPC outreach tools like the Canadian Antarctic Research Newsletter (CARN), the CPC new letter Meridian, existing web facilities as well science reports and publications.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
CARP will involve as part of is science program innovative data mangement tools like the Cybercartographic Atlas of Antarctica developed by a team of researchers at Carleton University under the leadership of Dr. Fraser Taylor.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We are initially seeking $5M from the Canadian IPY program for 2007-08 and 2008-09 to launch CARP, additional funding for research will be sought from the granting councils. Funds to sustain CARP beyond the IPY horizon will be sought from the government of Canada.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof  Wayne Pollard
Canadian Committee for Antarctic Research
Department of Geography, McGill University, 805 Sherbrooke St. W., Montreal, Quebec
H3A 2K6
Canada

Tel: 514-398-4454
Mobile: no
Fax: 514-398-7437
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation