Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #235: Sahtu Wide Network of Automated Weather Stations  (WAWN Sahtu - Wide Automated Weather Network)

Outline
Up to 10 automated weather stations (HOBO type) will be located across the Sahtu region at various elevations and across vegetation zones to collect detailed weather information. Data collected will include temperature, precipitation, wind speed/direction, light, and barometric pressure. These data will be used in conjunction with existing animal monitoring programs (Dall’s sheep, barren-ground, woodland and mountain caribou) to provide a more complete view of environmental conditions while interpreting animal movements/behaviour. Data will be used to obtain baseline weather information currently unavailable from existing stations (all found at low elevations), and to track changes over time. Quantifying weather data is an important consideration in terms of climate change and predictions concerning cumulative effects in the Sahtu region associated with ongoing industrial exploration and expansion (notably with respect to the proposed Mackenzie Pipeline). Data will be used in conjunction with fire history/frequency to obtain a more detailed view of conditions associated with fire, an important consideration if predictions from current climate change models are accurate. Data will be used in community presentations in the context of furbearer and ungulate harvest and management, fire history and frequency, and industrial development (i.e., winter roads, ice bridges, seismic exploration), incorporating the idea of a changing climate with future socio-economic development.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Status – Proposal provides current information on environmental conditions in the ecozones of the highly diverse Sahtu region Change – By having a permanent network of up to 10 weather stations, we will be able to track changes in the Sahtu, an important consideration during increased industrial expansion into the region, and changes in Artic overall Global Linkages –Data can be used to improve on climate models for artic regions. Human Dimension– Weather data can be related to furbearer and ungulate harvest, fire, and industrial activities to examine relationships between the environment and socio-economic returns

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Contacts not established yet, but there is strong potential to provide data for global climate change research. Weather data can also be provided to Canadian and International researchers examining caribou, fire, range expansion of animals and parasites, wildlife health (e.g. emerging diseases).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Across the Sahtu region with specific locations (ecozones) to be determined in conjunction with regional staff and university-based researchers.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/2007 – 09/2007 for deployment      09/2007 – ongoing for monitoring      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Support will involve helicopter time to deploy stations and for data retrieval/servicing. Helicopter time and access to fuel caches can be shared with existing animal surveys, enforcement, and fire-related work to minimize costs. Remote data retrieval will save costs, allow for regular view of data, and determine status of stations

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Permanent monitoring stations across the Sahtu will remain for long-term monitoring purposes. Stations will provide long-term environmental data for ongoing wildlife research and monitoring, and will provide a baseline network for future projects, including cumulative effects assessment. Stations will provide a infrastructure for forest fire management, including data for fire modelling

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

Logistics for ordering, deployment, data collection, data management and analyses will be undertaken by RWED staff, continued assistance in the deployment and data collection may also be provided by wildlife officers, DIAND staff, and private helicopter companies.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No endorsement yet, but strong interest from Forestry Management (RWED) especially pertaining to how data would be used for fire-related issues.

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

One station exists as a result of a study of Dall’s sheep parasites in the Mackenzie Mountains, though it is without remote data download capabilities. The addition of new stations will provide a clearer view of Sahtu wide environmental conditions invaluable for current and future projects

How will the project be organised and managed?
Managed by RWED regional staff in the Sahtu. Data retrieved/stations serviced by RWED staff and /or Wildlife/Forestry officers conducting surveys/enforcement

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Provide information to local communities on weather and trends specific to their location. Elaborate on caribou movements in term of detailed weather information; this may lead to more complete interpretation of movements (i.e., incorporating more than just industrial activities).

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Store raw data, metadata, and conduct analyses in RWED – Sahtu Office, having all information backed-up weekly on GNWT server. Likely provide data through RWED website (see caribou tracking maps as an example of a potential display of data, weather data would also include links to spreadsheet format; http://www.srrb.nt.ca/projects/cmapping/maps.html)

How is it proposed to fund the project?
•Funding for HOBO stations deployment provided though IPY •Funding for data retrieval, organization, storage, analysis and interpretation provided by RWED – Sahtu •Approx $3000/satation, 10 stations across Sahtu = $30,000 •Approx $800 for bear fencing for each station = $8000 •Approx 2 hrs helicopter time per station at approx $1400/hr = 28,000 •Approx $70-80,000 for purchase of stations, set up (including fuel caching) and logistical support

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This project will provide needed detailed environmental information to projects which are ongoing in the Sahtu. Current weather data from community stations not applicable to much of the Sahtu area, particularly in the Mackenzie Mountains and the barrens north and east on Great Bear Lake. With a changing climate and with ongoing and expanding industrial activities, the continuing study of cumulative effects will also strongly benefit from such a network. Overall the availability of baseline information and an ongoing operational network of automated weather stations will provide valued data to all future research in the Sahtu

PROPOSER DETAILS

Cumulative Effects Biologist Boyan Tracz
RWED - Sahtu
P.O. Box 130
Norman Wells, NT
X0E 0V0
Canada

Tel: 1 867 587 2853
Mobile: no
Fax: 1 867 587 2359
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation