Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Islands of Arctic Life  (ISLIFE)

Outline
Since the age of Charles Darwin, island studies have been instrumental for understanding species evolution and ecosystem organization. Under recent climate warming scenarios (cf. the Key Findings of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment; ACIA), truly arctic species and ecosystems are likely to persist mainly on high arctic islands, providing the last refuges for the arctic biota. A major potential of island studies lies in well-planned cross-island comparisons and replicates. Islands, particularly in the Arctic, provide simple settings in terms of restricted range of habitats and limited gene- and species pools and are suitable model systems for comparative studies. However, many arctic islands are practically unstudied, and different aims and methodologies of previous island studies prohibit meaningful comparative analyses. To be able to tackle the consequences of climate warming and to address the key issues of the International Polar Year, ISLIFE - Islands of Arctic Life - integrates multiple biological disciplines in a comparative cross-island approach which aims: (1) to investigate the formation and functioning of terrestrial arctic ecosystems in a changing climate, addressing the role of past and present migration in the shaping of ecosystems, the influence of key species and pollution on ecosystem functioning, and the impact of ecosystem diversity/complexity on genetic diversity and vice versa; (2) to explore basic adaptations of species to cold climate and climatic changes, including a search for candidate genes for cold adaptation in selected organisms, and evolutionary adaptation and basic physiological responses in the context of latitude, isolation, and nourishment; and (3) to provide biodiversity maps, which will document the current state and form basis for this project as well as for future monitoring of changes. The strategy of ISLIFE will be to compare island ecosystems along space and time gradients of climate, light regimes, trophic structure, pollution levels, glaciation, and colonization by applying uniform protocols for sampling, measurements, and experiments. Ecological islands – ‘arctic hot spots’ will be included (as well as mainland sites for comparative purposes). ISLIFE is an internationally coordinated IPY 2007-2008 initiative involving leading research groups in several countries. It encompasses several subprojects involving multiple disciplines (evolutionary biology, ecology, biogeography, genomics, population genetics, eco-toxicology, physiology) and many groups of organisms (plants, invertebrates, fish, birds, mammals). The ISLIFE initiative is closely linked to established international networks such as DYNAFLUX (Dynamics, Fluxes, Stability and Succession in Cold Environments) and CAT-B (Circum-Arctic Terrestrial Biodiversity Initiative). ISLIFE can be coordinated with a similar project in Antarctic islands.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
ISLIFE is based on large-scale cross-island comparative studies, involves multiple biological disciplines, links to results from other natural sciences (geology, climatology), and studies many groups of organisms. ISLIFE will achieve significant advances in our knowledge of Polar ecosystem functioning, species adaptations, spatial patterns, and historical processes in the context of past, present, and future climate changes (IPY themes 1-4). Such increased knowledge is imperative for future assessments and management of the Arctic biota. ISLIFE is an ambitious enterprise that requires international cooperation and funding to access remote and isolated localities. An IPY initiative is a unique opportunity for such an enterprise to be launched.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
New international collaboration has been initiated in addition to established international networks in which participating research groups are involved. Scientists from Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and U.K. participate. Cooperation with the Arctic Climate Diversity (ARCLIDIV) IPY initiative, which aims at establishing several reference areas at Svalbard, is of high priority.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The selection of islands for field work should ensure gradients in several factors as indicated in the project outline, including islands in a west-east gradient from Svalbard in the West (e.g. Franz Josefs land, Kolguev, Servernaya Zemlya, New Siberian Islands, Wrangel Island, and possibly some of the more close together Canadian arctic islands). Mainland sites will be included for comparison.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
The best approach for organizing data collecting of this scale will be the use of an ice-breaker moving researchers and equipment between selected arctic islands and helicopters setting researchers ashore. If this cannot be coordinated with other IPY initiatives and/or turns out too expensive, transportation by helicopters from the mainland is an alternative solution.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
During field work existing facilities will be used when possible, or temporary facilities will be set up. A more permanent field station which can be used for future research is planned within the Russian Arctic where especially needed. Experimental plots and transects will be georeferenced and permanently marked for future assessments.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Consortium
Own national polar operator
Another national polar operator
National agency
Own support
Other sources of support

Co-ordination with other IPY initiatives will be of interest, not only from a logistic but also from a scientific point of view. It will e.g. be of interest to coordinate with areas where climatic stations are put up/climate data are registered.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Copy of this Expression of Interest has been sent to the Norwegian national IPY committee which will send an “endorsement” list to the Joint Committee.

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

The main project including the theoretical superstructure and the common logistics as presented here is a new autonomous proposal. Some sub-projects are part of or a continuation of already existing plans or programmes.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project includes several sub-projects, tightly coordinated by a theoretical superstructure and common logistics by a project core group representing the Universities of Oslo and Tromsø. Applications for funding will include salary for one central project leader who will be in charge of the coordination during preparation, data collection, and data management. Workshops and meetings will be organised regularly. June 2005: Full proposal 2005/2006: Funding proposals; organisation of logistics March 2007: IPY official start Summer 2007: First field season Autumn 2007/spring 2008: Lab and data analyses Summer 2008: Second field season Autumn 2008: Data analyses March 2009: IPY official end 2009/2010: Individual and joint publications; data management.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The participating research groups represent universities, natural history museums, and the Norwegian Polar Institute. Training of young scientists (M.Sc., Ph.D., and Post-Docs) in arctic biology and species identification is of priority. Exhibitions of polar biology are planned, and a central website for public information and presentation of scientific results will be established.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Existing experience in databasing for archiving and publishing data ensures an efficient data management plan. We anticipate free access to our data for researchers, the general public and management authorities. Cooperation with other data centres will be explored. Non-electronic samples will be made available for future use from natural history museums.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The ISLIFE project (the main project as well as sub-projects and international collaborators) will seek funding from national/international councils and home institutions, either from specially advertised IPY initiatives or from regular research programmes.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Institutions involved but not included in the list of project members (4.2): Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Norway NORUT-IT, Norway National Veterinary Institute, Norway Department of Biology, University of Oslo, Norway University of Stockholm, Sweden National Environmental Research Institute, Denmark Université de Franche-Comté, France Westfälische Universität, Germany Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa National Water Research Institute, Canada Freshwater Institute, University Crescent, Canada Alaska Deptartment of Fish and Game, USA Department of Ichthyology, Moscow State University, Russia

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Christian Brochmann
National Centre for Biosystematics (NCB)
Natural History Museum
University of Oslo (UiO), P.B. 1172 Blindern
N-0318 Oslo
Norway

Tel: +4722851611
Mobile: no
Fax: +4722851835
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation