Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #13:LIFE ON THE EDGE AT ALERT – MONITORING HIGH ARCTIC BIRDS AND WILDLIFE IN A CHANGING GLOBAL CLIMATE  (HABS – High Arctic Bird Studies)

Outline
Alert, situated at 82º30’N 62º20’W, lies on the shores of the Arctic Ocean on the northeast coast of Ellesmere Island, less than 800 kilometres from the North Pole. In this extreme environment, about a dozen species of birds breed regularly, with about the same number again occurring less regularly. Avian migrants disperse from breeding grounds at Alert to many parts of the globe, including Europe, the Americas, Africa, and even the Antarctic. A few species of mammals, including Arctic fox, Arctic wolf, Peary Caribou, Muskox, and collared lemming, also inhabit the barren landscape. These birds and animals are superbly adapted to survive in the Far North, but they are also thought to be those most at risk from changing global climate. Alert is an ideal location to monitor future changes in Canadian High Arctic bird and mammal populations. It has been the site of a weather station since 1950, and is also the site of a Global Atmospheric Watch laboratory, part of the World Meteorological Organization network of sites monitoring chemicals in the atmosphere. In 1974, the Canadian Wildlife Service began work on shorebirds at Alert, and research into High Arctic bird populations has continued since then, covering 21 of the intervening years up to 2004. Many international links have been established through the participation of scientists from a number of nations. The Canadian military has provided outstanding logistic support for these operations through its base at CFS Alert. Alert would thus make an ideal location for future investigations into the effects of global climate change and pollution on High Arctic populations of birds and mammals. The present program of research will be expanded to include more international collaboration, will set up a legacy infrastructure of monitoring plots to detect changes in bird and insect populations resulting from future climate change, and will be extended to include work on pollutants and endangered and at-risk species.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1. Status: This project will provide an important polar centre in Canada for investigating and monitoring changes in High Arctic wildlife (bird and mammal) populations. 2. Change and 3. Global linkages: Linking with other circumpolar monitoring initiatives for shorebirds (PRISM, CHASM, International Wader Study Group, CAFF) and other avian groups should lead to improved projections of population impacts likely to result from climate change. 4. New Frontiers: research opportunities to study adaptations of High Arctic bird populations to their extreme environments will provide new knowledge of value to science and conservation.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International collaboration will be developed with Prof. Theunis Piersma (Netherlands Institute for Sea Research and Groningen University), Patricia Gonzalez (Fundacion Alafquen, Argentina), Dr. Nick Davidson (Ramsar Secretariat), Dr. Hans Meltofte (Danish Polar Centre, CAFF) etc. (programs to be developed). The project will provide an ongoing High Arctic component linked to the PRISM (Program for Regional and International Shorebird Monitoring) project, an international program for shorebird monitoring throughout the North American Arctic.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The work will be based out of Alert 82º30’N 62º20’W on the shores of the Arctic Ocean on the northeast coast of Ellesmere Island. CFS Alert, the Canadian military station, has provided extensive logistic support for scientific activities in the past and will form the base for future operations.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 05/07-08/07      05/08-08/08      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Logistic support facilities are in place (CFS Alert). Additional logistic requirements could include construction of dedicated (legacy) laboratory and or renovation of current facilities, all terrain vehicles, fuel, and transportation to site (currently via military airlift). These could be shared as needed.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project will leave a legacy infrastructure of defined monitoring plots and of a field laboratory for future work.

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

The Canadian military currently provides logistic support in the form of accommodations, food, and airlift of personnel and supplies to the field. Canadian Wildlife Service supplies field equipment. Additional support has been obtained from Polar Continental Shelf Project (Natural Resources Canada).

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: Ecosystems Terrestrial Processes

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

The project will build on an established research program, and will develop a legacy infrastructure suitable for future monitoring and research into High Arctic populations of birds and mammals.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Current research activities are organized and managed through the shorebird project at the Canadian Wildlife Service National Wildlife Research Centre. The proposed, expanded project would be managed by a team of principal investigators from different countries involved in the project.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
An outreach/communication program will be developed with the Western Hemisphere Shorebird Reserve Network/US Fish and Wildlife Service Shorebird Sister Schools Project: this program has a website and reaches schools and other interested parties in North and South America. Articles for popular publications/media would also be produced.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management would initially be through the Canadian Wildlife Service National Wildlife Research Centre, and shared with project participants. Arrangements for archiving of data at other sites will be investigated.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding is currently through Canadian Wildlife Service project funds, with support from the Canadian military and Polar Continental Shelf Project. Additional major sources of funds would need to be secured (estimated $50-100K).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr  Richard Ian Guy Morrison
Canadian Wildlife Service, National Wildlife Research Centre
Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive (Raven Road), Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0H3
Canada

Tel: 613-998-7296
Mobile: no
Fax: 613-998-0458
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation