Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Ecosystem Processes Across Climatic Gradients in Greenland Sub-programme: Marine ecosystems  (Greenland Gradients: Marine)

Outline
The focus of this initiative is to increase knowledge of the impact of climatic change on marine ecosystems by studies across climatic gradients in Greenland.Increased understanding of how ecosystem structure, diversity and productivity changes across existing gradients of temperature, ice cover, precipitation etc. will help predict biological responses to future climate changes. For example, the predicted change in temperature, ice-free conditions, and precipitation in NE Greenland at the end of this century suggests that physical conditions in Young Sund will become more similar to present-day conditions further south, e.g. at Kap Tobin. Thus, the area extending from Young Sund and a few hundred kilometres south represents a climate gradient reflecting this century’s predicted change. North-south transects in this region will be highly valuable in evaluating adaptations in marine biological processes and species to different physical settings in relation to future change in the Arctic. Comparative studies of sub-arctic and high-arctic marine ecosystems will provide valuable insight into the structure and function of present-day ecosystems, identify key factors responsible for regulating food chains and carbon and nutrient cycles, and provide a basis for understanding the response of arctic marine ecosystems to global warming. The concept is applied at two different scales. A large- scale study in which the entire climatic scope of Greenland from north to south is studied and a local-scale study of two fjords, Godthaab Fjord and Young Sund. More specifically we want to study the following components across climatic gradients: physical and chemical conditions, food web structure and energy transfer, vertical flux, biogeochemical processes, pelagic-benthic coupling, and annual productivity of multiple trophic levels.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This initiative fulfils all nine criteria for identifying IPY activities together with no. 3 of the additional criteria (builds on existing plans, programmes or initiatives).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Participation in existing arctic projects (Cabanera, CASES, MarinBasis) and planned IPY projects (ECOGREEN, ARCTOS Quality, CLF).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
A large-scale comparison of the marine ecosystems in Greenland is planned to include fieldwork in Zackenberg, Qaanaaq, Nuuk, Qeqertarsuaq, Illoqqortoormiut and Tassilaq.

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Research vessels Paamiut, Adolf Jensen and Jan Mayen. Laboratory facilities at Nuuk, Godhavn and Daneborg are required and can be shared with others.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The program will involve a scientific upgrading of existing research facilities and expansion of education and post-doctoral training opportunities in polar ecosystem science.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
NO - No national endorsement of IPY proposals has yet been made in Denmark, but the programme falls within the national IPY priority “Arctic Climate – Variability, Change and Impacts.”

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 is a new project co-ordinated with similar proposals covering terrestrial and limnic ecosystems and with existing arctic projects (MarinBasis) and other IPY initiatives (ECOGREEN, ARCTOS Quality, CLF)

How will the project be organised and managed?
The sub-programme will be run by the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources in co-operation with the National Environmental Research Institute, Denmark, the University of Copenhagen, the University of Southern Denmark, the Danish Meteorological Institute, and the Danish Polar Center. The overall programme will be co-ordinated by a joint co-ordination committee consisting of the heads of the sub-programmes and chaired by the Director of the Department of Arctic Environment, National Environmental Research Institute, Denmark.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Training of young scientists and student will be an integral component of the project. Students will be enrolled in the PhD training school. The general public will be informed through the public media.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management will be handled within the systems of the participating institutions and their existing databases.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
The Danish and Greenlandic participants will apply for funding from the Danish Council for Strategic Research. The project consortium will, if possible, apply for EU or other international funding.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The project is submitted under a common umbrella topic (Greenland Gradients) including also a terrestrial and a freshwater project (please see cover letter).

PROPOSER DETAILS

Professor Søren Rysgaard
Greenland Institute of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 570
DK-3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Tel: + 299 36 12 00
Mobile: no
Fax: + 299 36 12 12
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation