Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Understanding Dynamic Processes that Govern the Behaviour of Coupled Human-Environment Systems in the Arctic  (Understanding Dynamic Processes that Govern the Behaviour of Coupled Human-Environment Systems in the Arctic)

Outline
Social and natural systems across the globe are experiencing new and unusually rapid changes, some of which are amplified on regional scales. Thus, to deepen our understanding of the dynamic processes that govern the behaviour of coupled human-environment systems in response to global change, studies must focus on regional/local settings in order to determine the vulnerability, resilience or adaptive capacity of a particular system. Recent regional changes are especially pronounced in the Arctic where subsistence livelihoods and indigenous cultures are strongly influenced by climate and the availability of living natural resources. Across much of the Arctic, climate change is evident in multi-decadal trends in summer sea ice thinning, alpine glacial retreat and diminished snow cover, and by reductions of permafrost in some land areas. Variations in the abundance and location of living natural resources arise from ecosystem cycles, harvest pressures and changes in climate. For indigenous peoples in the Arctic, who generally interact closely with and rely heavily on their environments, these sorts of changes can be detrimental, manageable or even advantageous. The future behaviour of Arctic human-environment systems will hinge on social and natural conditions and interactions and on the ways people understand, interpret and shape them. For example, knowledge about what makes a system vulnerable or resilient to change can be used to minimise risks and damages and capitalise on opportunities. This project aims to advance and apply theories and methods for analyzing vulnerability and resilience through research guided by the following goals: 1) to identify the key features of natural resource use (e.g. management policies, harvest practices and pressures, and prices and subsidies) that are highly likely to contribute to climate change and vulnerability, and 2) to identify ways in which social and natural conditions and interactions do or can enhance adaptive capacity and thereby reduce vulnerability. The project will address these goals via a comparative analysis of indigenous communities in selected areas. The process of selection will take place in collaboration with indigenous organisations and communities. Researchers together with local residents and other stakeholders in these communities will develop knowledge about the vulnerability and resilience of human-environment systems. The proposed research will be guided by the following hypothesis: Vulnerability to climate change in Arctic livelihoods that are dependent on natural resources will be determined by interactions among social, cultural, economic, regulator and environmental factors.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project covers several of the IPY themes in that it addresses the consequences of climate and other changes on the socio-economic aspects of local communities in the Arctic (Theme 2.3) and the impacts of polar climate change on resource exploitation, and the connection between the local and the global (Theme 3.3). The project is a social science project with strong general links to Theme 6 through its focus on the vulnerability, adaptive capacity and resilience shape social processes. This project develops interdisciplinary research methodologies to understand the links between the environment and human systems (Theme 6.3).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project is a collaborative effort between researchers at Harvard University, USA and CICERO, Norway. In addition the project involves researchers and local residents from other universities and research institutions in the USA and Norway, Greenland, Alaska and Arctic Canada.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
The project will involve field work in West Greenland, Alaska, Arctic Canada. The exact location will be determined in collaboration with Inuit organisations and local residents.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: TBC            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
No significant logistic support/facilities are required.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The project is an interdisciplinary scientific project with a major education and outreach plan. The legacy of the project is that the research strategy is developed in cooperation with local residents through the co-generation of knowledge.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
N The project will be submitted to the Norwegian national IPY committee on 14 January 2005, and the US national IPY committee this Spring 2005

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?

How will the project be organised and managed?
The lead investigators will co-jointly manage the project through their respective institutions (Harvard and CICERO). Teleconferences are planned every two weeks to monitor the project and its progression. In addition, the core team members will interact regularly in the field site meetings. Central management of data and field logistics will be at Harvard with an experienced project manager.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Support is sought for graduate students in the US and in Norway. Undergraduates will be incorporated into the research from Greenland, US and Norway. Formal collaboration has been established with the University of the Arctic, and several of the core members are involved in developing the curriculum. Local residents will be involved in the project from the beginning through co-production of knowledge. The information plan is under development.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Downscaling of climate data IPCC, US National Data Center, Norwegian Meteorological Institute, and others; variability and change in natural resources using statistical methods (data from NAFO; ICES, NAMMCO, IWC);development of impact scenarios (based on data above using various systems models); understanding vulnerability and adaptive capacity (statistical and archival data, anthropological field methods combined with scenarios above); Cross-site comparison (combination of data above).

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Funding sought from the National Science Foundation, Norwegian Research Council

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr , Research Director Grete Hovelsrud-Broda
CICERO
PO Box 1129, Blindern
0138 Oslo
Norway

Tel: +47 22 85 87 69 direct
Mobile: +47 95 80 60 46
Fax: +47 22 85 87 51
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation