Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #113: Hydrology and Aquatic Ecosystems in the Polar regions of Canada  (HAEPCan)

Outline
The hydrologic cycle plays a critical role in many aspects of the polar system, with strong linkages to the global climate system, ocean circulation, and aquatic/terrestrial/marine ecosystems. The “Hydrology and Aquatic Ecosystems” theme will: (1) provide detailed information on the hydrology of northern Canada during IPY, (2) document variability and trends in the hydrologic cycle, (3) test, validate, and improve a suite of hydrologic and landsurface models, and (4) consider the state of the aquatic ecosystem in key northern regions. Due to the strong linkages with many aspects of the polar system, this project will develop links with the following Federal Government IPY Themes: (1) Freshwater flux in the Canadian terrestrial and oceanic polar regions, (2) State of the Canadian Cryosphere, and (3) Environmental Prediction. Major components of HAEPCan include: (1) a series of research basins in northern Canada. These will build on long-term NWRI sites in the Canadian Western Arctic, and expand to include sites such as Daring Lake, as well as basins in the Queen Elizabeth Islands near Resolute, Eureka, Lake Hazen, and Alert for example. (2) examine past and future climatologic impacts on the hydrology and aquatic ecosystems of northern Canada. A major focus of this component will consider past climate trends and variability, and future projected climate change. (3) link to a university proposed study (SCARF) on the effect of the Mackenzie Delta on the flux of water and nutrients to the Beaufort Sea. This component of the study will focus on the role of delta lakes in storing and modifying water and nutrients. (4) study Lake Hazen on the 50th anniversary of the first scientific study of the lake. Lake Hazen, located within Quttinirpaaq National Park, is the largest lake in Canada north of the Arctic circle and one of the largest in the circumpolar arctic.This study would document the hydrology, biology, and limnology of Lake Hazen. (5) various remote sensing techniques will be used to monitor landcover/use changes over northern Canada. This will document past changes, and will provide important input to the hydrologic modelling components. An important aspect of this study will consider past and future expansion of shrub tundra and the implications on the hydrologic cycle. (6) consider changes in snow accumulation and the role of perennial snow patches and small glaciers on the hydrology and aquatic ecology. In addition, we hope to carry out a study of snow variability following the long transect approach used by SnowSTAR-2002 in Alaska. This approach would use a variety of methods (including GPR for example), to measure variability in snow cover over large regions of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, and would compliment studies utilizing airborne and satellite microwave techniques. (7) Biodiversity of aquatic ecosystems in the Canadian Arctic are under increasing threat, yet there are no coordinated efforts to measure these threats to species diversity, ecosystem function, etc. It is imperative that aquatic biodiversity programs be integrated with proposed hydrologic studies noted above. This study would focus on understanding the full range of aquatic species and habitats which exist across Canada's Arctic inland waters, which should include the identification of critical habitat for species at risk (SARA), together with an improved ability to focus research on critical areas, and to further science policy objectives in the area of international and national stewardship of natural resources. The work will be linked to Canada’s aquatic biodiversity program which currently does not include work in the North. (8) we will continue testing and improvement of appropriate hydrologic and landsurface models for use in polar Canada. This will include WATFLOOD, WATCLASS, TOPOFLOW, CLASS, and CRHM for example. Validation and calibration studies will be critical to the proposed Environmental Prediction Theme using POLAR-GEM, CRCM/CLASS, and GEM-LAM for example. Models will be applied to critical areas in the Canadian Arctic.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will make significant, and unique, advances in our understanding of the current state of the polar hydrologic cycle and polar aquatic ecosystems, and consider past and future changes. Although a small number of studies have considered these systems in northern Canada, the emphasis has been on the Mackenzie River system for example, with only preliminary studies in the Canadian Barren grounds and the Arctic Is. Since that time, only local studies of short duration have been conducted. This study will make significant advances in our understanding of, and modelling of, northern hydrologic/aquatic ecosystems, and therefore directly address the IPY theme of “Current state of the polar environment” and provide improved methods for considering “Change in the polar regions”.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Larry Hinzman and Doug Kane, University of Alaska Fairbanks Other existing international collaborators will be involved in this project, and new collaborations will be developed as needed.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Studies will be carried out at long-term NWRI research basins in the Canadian Western Arctic, and will include additional sites such as Daring Lake, as well as basins in the Queen Elizabeth Islands near Resolute, Eureka, Lake Hazen, and Alert for example. Actual sites utilized will be chosen as this project develops.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 03/07 – 04/09            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
We will utilize logistical support from the Aurora Research Institute and Polar Continental Shelf Project. Additional support will be required from operational hydrometric agencies within Canada to carry out necessary discharge measurements at new research basins.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
This project will leave a legacy of hydrologic and ecosystem monitoring sites in northern Canada.

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

This project will require a mixture of support from Canadian polar support groups (including Polar Continental Shelf Project and Aurora Research Institute), as well as commercial aircraft operations.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
These projects have been endorsed by NWRI. 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

This project is mainly comprised of existing research within Environment Canada that is ongoing in the Mackenzie River basin, or in some cases southern Canada. Techniques and expertise developed in these studies will be applied to additional polar locations.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Although many of these studies are ongoing, there are no overall organization structure. As a result, if funding is available, we will develop an appropriate Steering Committee

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
This project will utilize appropriate northern agencies to help with outreach activities and communication. In addition, training of graduate students will be a major focus of this research program.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management will be accomplished through operational agencies (Water Survey of Canada, and Meteorological Service of Canada), as well as within the National Water Research Institute.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Although some funding is in place for IPY related activities in the Western Arctic, there is a need for additional funding to move into other regions of northern Canada. We plan to develop other proposals and work with appropriate managers within Environment Canada in order to obtain additional funding.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr  Philip Marsh
EC/National Water Research Institute
11 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon, SK
S7K 1G2
Canada

Tel: 306-975-5752
Mobile: no
Fax: 306-975-5143
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation