Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #59: Canadian Census of Marine Life Arctic Ocean Biodiversity Program  (Canadian Arctic Census of Marine Life)

Outline
Our IPY initiative will focus on developing and implementing scientific criteria for the identification, cataloguing and conservation of marine biodiversity in the Maritime Canadian Arctic and adjacent Arctic Seas. Our approach will encompass key ecological issues on biodiversity processes at the three hierarchical levels of seascape, species, and population/genetic diversity. Key research themes to be addressed include the following: Research theme I: What are the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem function? Three major types of interactions between ecosystem functioning and marine biodiversity have been identified: the relationship between metrics of productivity and metrics of biodiversity, the relationship between large-scale physical processes and functional diversity, and the relationship between physical structure in habitats and biodiversity. Technologies can provide synoptic maps of physical structure in marine ecosystems that, combined with theory that allows prediction of how marine biodiversity should vary with those structural factors, can be used to develop testable hypotheses. Research theme II: What is the nature of cryptic diversity, the spatial distribution of biodiversity, and temporal changes in biodiversity? We propose to sample all kingdoms within a geographically broad-based study to form a biodiversity baseline by marshalling taxonomic expertise in conjunction with DNA barcoding. Information gained may thus be used to address issues such as climate change. Important aspects of this project would be standardization of procedures, development of museum capacity for voucher specimens, and identification of taxonomic expertise both with Canada and internationally, leaving a legacy for future generations. Research theme III: How can we utilize studies of spatial and temporal variability within and between habitats to model and predict broader biodiversity patterns for other geographical areas, habitats, and times? Relationships between biodiversity and driving processes, such as disturbance or environmental stress will be examined through spatial analysis on a range of scales in order to generate predictive models. In order to determine how the main processes that structure biodiversity vary with spatial scale, there is a pressing need for a unified and interdisciplinary approach to the study of scaling in physical and biological processes that encompasses specific, testable hypotheses. More theoretical research is required to design novel models, which will subsequently require additional field research for validation. Research theme IV: How are disturbances related to biodiversity? A community-based approach is needed to evaluate the effects of broadly defined disturbances, such as physical, chemical, or trophic disruptions, on marine biodiversity. An important sampling approach is the comparison between natural and anthropogenic areas and between disturbed and undisturbed areas. Five possible areas of major interest are: trawling effects, climate change, acoustic pollution, eutrophication, and overexploitation. For example, how do effects of natural ice scour and trawling in arctic regions compare?

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project fits well with IPY theme 1, Status by determining the present biodiversity and environmental status of the polar regions, and IPY theme 2, Change, by quantifying present natural environmental change in the polar regions, as measured by the biodiversity. IPY theme 3 with linking global climate changes to benthic and pelagic faunal assemblages. IPY theme 4, New Frontiers, we propose to apply emerging technologies for example, DNA Barcoding (the experience gained from the Gulf of Maine Biogeographic Information System , ocean telemetry and ROV technology given its emphasis on the new frontier of the polar regions.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This proposal would generate a significant new initiative, which would direct specific funding to make use of the tools and capabilities coming out of ongoing CoML projects (e.g. GMBIS, POST, etc.). The outputs of the initiative include a first near-complete census of the marine biodiversity of the Arctic Ocean, a practical and sustainable multi-disciplinary science platform to continue the long-term monitoring effort, and ultimately a global capability to understand and adapt to changing climate scenarios

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Our oceanographic sections would extend from the subarctic front in the North Pacific, through Bering Strait, the Beaufort Sea and the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, and finally out into the NOW polynya, Baffin Bay and the Labrador Sea.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/07 – 09/07       06/08 – 09/08      06/09 – 09/09 (post IPY)
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
CCGS Amundsen ship time in all three years, with ancillary support from other ships in the icebreaker fleet, and access to ships from other nations working in the Arctic and Antarctica.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The census will provide a lasting legacy in terms of both information gained on the diversity of arctic marine fauna and flora and in the training of young scientists in taxonomy, ecology and evolution. A permanent science infrastructure will be established involving a committed set of players led by universities in partnership with native communities, and with support from government agencies. It would serve as an international reference base and authority on Arctic marine biodiversity.

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

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

This program would fit with some of the logistic framework and resources of ArcticNet, however it is a new, independent project.

How will the project be organised and managed?
A steering committee of four PIs and institutions will lead the overall planning, execution and completion of research objectives: the composition of this steering committee will be established over the coming months.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We will be in contact with the coordination and communication resources of the NCE network ArcticNet to ensure that training and outreach, as well as data sharing are properly achieved. We will invite the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami to sit on the advisory board of this project and the initial response has been positive.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data will be placed in the public domain via GIMPIS POST. We also foresee contributions to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We are currently investigating avenues of support. Additional support will be sought from other sources including NSERC.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Our project will provide a unique Canadian contribution in the 'Frontiers' theme of the International Polar Year, and will allow Canada to achieve international leadership in knowledge of their own backyard at this critical time of change in the circumpolar Arctic. It will generate new insights into the ecology of the Arctic Ocean

PROPOSER DETAILS

Mr  Paul Snelgrove
Ocean Sciences Centre, Memorial University of Newfoundland,
Ocean Sciences Centre
Memorial University of Newfoundland,
000 000
Canada

Tel: 709-737-3440
Mobile: no
Fax: no
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation