Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Multidisciplinary Ecological Study of Antarctic Oases  (MESAO)

Outline
The scientific programme is proposed as a multidisciplinary study focused on coastal deglaciated areas. The programme will be oriented to biotic and abiotic components of the ecosystem of Antarctic coastal oases, their structure and function. From this point of view, it is designed as a functional interface of several fields of study oriented to the inorganic and organic components of the Antarctic coastal environment. The proposed projects consider to study: - Dynamics of gradual deglaciation including monitoring of factors (mainly climatic) that affect the process of rapid declaciation in the different locations along the Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic Islands. - The consequences of gradual deglaciation of ground surface on geological structures, geochemical processes, and geomorphologic development. They will be studied in a forefront of ice cap mainly in respect to the character of climate, specifically energy balance of ground surface-atmosphere system, solar radiation regime (both global and UV radiation), processes in regolith, and soil substrate. The processes will be studied in respect to freezing/thawing cycles, wind direction and velocity, amount of thawing water and its erosive effects etc. In summary, the aim is to study and quantify processes of deglaciated area evolution, and their spatial and temporal dynamics during deglaciation. The other aim is to use the obtained results (1) to contribute to the knowledge about paleoclimate and (2) assess the environmental potential for gradual colonisation of the area by organisms in past as well as present time. Biologically-oriented research represents another major component of the scientific programme. Apart from basic description of abundance and spatial distribution of flora and fauna at the studied islands and coastal areas, some more specific biological and ecological research will be carried out in the following fields: - Monitoring of the process of biological colonization and nitrogen cycling at the newly-deglaciated areas and the changes in biodiversity, composition of plant communities in a series of environmentally-different monitoring plots. - Measurement of the rate of physiological processes related to the fixation, storage, and release of carbon (photosynthesis, respiration) in the major component of vegetation, and analyze the relation of these processes to the external environmental factors affected by global climatic change in order to predict the likely changes of vegetation cover. - The study of the important components of vegetation and the adaptation of autotrophic organisms to the long-term action of the stress factors, dehydration, low temperature and radiation in particular.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The proposed project will fit the group No. 1 target, i.e. Natural science using the below-specified approaches: Comparative study, functional analysis, mass and energy flow through Antarctic oases, complex approach from abiotic to biotic components of Antarctic coastal oases, environmental issues. The proposed projects is, however, also targeted to young and potential new researcher, members of Antarctic communities and national-based decision makers.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
International co-operation will be based on the recently established co-work performed at the Vernadsky Station (Galindez Island) and Machu Picchu Station (King George Island) and other national stations interested in the scope of the project. A newly-established international co-operation is considered within the IPY, scientists from any country operating along the coast of the Antarctic Peninsula are encouraged to co-operate with the subprojects fitting the general outline of the proposed project. Logistic co-operation: Argentina and Chile. Some satellite-based data are considered for geological and geomorphological part of the project proposed.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
James Ross Island, Czech Antarctic Station (dominant national-based research with few invited international scientists. Galindez Island (dominant Czech and Ukrainian research, international scientists). King George Island (international plus Czech-based research). Additionally, other islands in the region of the Antarctic Peninsula, sub-Antarctic Islands and the Trinity Peninsula (N tip of the Antarctic Peninsula).

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 11/06-03/07      11/07-03/08      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Existing and new (Czech) field station, helicopters.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Another national Antarctic operator: James Ross Island (Czech support combined with Argentinean logistics), Galindez Island and King George Island: other operators (e.g. Ukraine), North of the Antarctic Peninsula (Chilean support).

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Several proposals for partial subprojects have been submitted to national-based grant agencies to cover expenses related to the minimum extent of the overall project. Support from international funding is expected.

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?
No

The proposed project is an expansion of the existing research activity of the Czech scientific community oriented to Antarctic climatology, geology, terrestrial ecology and biology, i.e. continuation of a long-term project Ecology of Antarctic Coastal Oasis (1999-2004, funded by the Czech Ministry of Education).

How will the project be organised and managed?
The proposed project will be managed by the Czech Antarctic Center, a national-based body that is going to be established by the Czech Government in 2006. The Czech Antarctic Center will co-ordinate all national scientific activities in the Antarctica.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
General plan for the EoI activities at both national and international level within the proposed project is prepared recently. It will be presented in full length in June 2005.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
The project proposal consider to establish a national-based team which will manage the data coming from the project, present them in a web site, and create a sharing interface with the Joint Committee for Antarctic Data Management.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Combined sources will be used for the proposed project funding (1) Governmental bodies (Ministry of Education/Environment/Finance), (2) Czech Antarctic Centre (being established), (3) national-based grant agencies. Also, international funding is expected from (4) an international funding agencies and (5) the European Polar Board.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The proposed project provides an unique chance to study deglaciated area of James Ross Island, that has not yet been investigated regularly by the use of multidisciplinary approach. Comparative study with other islands along west and east coast of the Antarctic Peninsula is also a benefit of the proposed project. Especially, the project offers the opportunity to evaluate the impact of deglaciation on ecological processes at the islands and coastal areas with contrasting microclimate.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Prof Pavel Prosek
Institute of Geography, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University Brno
Kotlarska 2
Brno
CZ-61137
Czech Republic

Tel: +420-549491491
Mobile: no
Fax: +420-549491490
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation