Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #242: The Hudson Bay Complex Observatory (HBCO): an Integrated Observation / Modelling System for Detecting, Following and Predicting Ecosystem Changes in the Hudson Bay complex.  (HBCO)

Outline
Building on the expertise acquired through the Atlantic Zone Monitoring Program (AZMP) and the highly successful St. Lawrence Observatory (OSL), we propose to implement an integrated oceanographic observation / modelling system for detecting, following and predicting changes in the marine environment of the Hudson Bay complex (Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Foxe Basin, Ungava Bay). This region is home to approximately half of the Inuit population of Nunavut and Nunavik. It represents one of the largest drainage basins on the North American continent that influences the general climate of northeastern North America and the hydrography and biological productivity of the northwest Atlantic shelves of Canada and the USA. Recognizing the pressing need to monitor the environmental changes in the Hudson Bay complex in the context of climate change and the ecosystem approach, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Quebec and Central & Arctic (C&A) regions, initiated a pilot field and modelling program two years ago, to obtain a minimal description of the current state of this region as part of MERICA (Études des Mers Intérieures du Canada). Key variables sampled at stations along predetermined transects include temperature, salinity, currents, water mass tracers, nutrients, oxygen, abundance/productivity and biodiversity of the planktonic and benthic biota, particle sedimentation, paleo-oceanography, and contaminants. The aims of the Hudson Bay Complex Observatory (HBCO) proposed here are (1) to strengthen the existing MERICA monitoring program by (i) validating the spatial representativeness of its transects, (ii) establishing a network of community-based sampling of fixed stations to monitor seasonal changes, and (iii) implementing remote-sensing, telemetric and other state-of-the-art automated monitoring technologies, (2) to acquire basic invertebrate/fish (including mammals) stock information for the forthcoming establishment of an ecosystem approach to marine resource management, (3) to develop jointly with university colleagues (UQAR/ISMER) biogeochemical ecosystem models based on the existing coupled atmosphere-ice-ocean physical model for biological prediction and analysis, and (4) to develop and implement a data/information management and dissemination system (web-base observatory) for the region. The implementation of the HBCO provides an opportunity to solidify existing and create new partnerships with ongoing research programs and initiatives (e.g., ArcticNet, N-CAARE, SARA, CLIVAR), government (DFO/C&A) and university scientists, and local communities and organizations. In the context of climate changes, the HBCO is a basic tool required to ensure a sustainable development of the region.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
1) HBCO will provide critical information on how climate change is affecting the Hudson Bay complex and other regions further south through atmospheric and oceanographic connections. 2) HBCO will validate and strengthen a recently initiated monitoring program (MERICA) aimed at the implementation of a long-term observatory. 3) HBCO will identify linkages between physical, chemical and biological components within the Hudson Bay complex and between this region and northeast Canada and the USA; 4) HBCO represents an opportunity to deploy new technologies in the North to obtain oceanographic and biological data and to monitor the polar environment within a multidisciplinary framework. 6) The region is important to about half of the Nunavut/Nunavik population; their involvement is essential to complete the program, and this project will provide opportunities for training, employment and exchange of knowledge (including traditional knowledge)

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
It is anticipated that HBCO will provide a significant contribution to international monitoring efforts such as the Arctic Observing Network and the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
HBCO will encompass the Hudson Bay complex, i.e., Hudson Bay, Hudson Strait, Foxe Basin, and Ungava Bay.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: Community-based monitoring stations : 2006 – 2008 Remote sensing and telemetry : 2006-2008 Implementation of the data archive and dissemination centre: 2006-2008      Validation of MERICA: 07/2007 – 08/2007      Automated monitoring: 2007-2008 Biogeochemical ecosystem models: 2007-2008 Invertebrate/fish stock survey : 07/2008 – 08/2008
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
(a) Logistic support/facilities Ice-breaker Multi-instrumented platforms Existing field stations Telemetry Helicopters New coastal monitoring stations Satellites Observatories (b) Resources sharing (1) Validation of MERICA and invertebrate/fish stocks survey: research icebreaker. (2) Coastal monitoring stations: local communities’ boats and facilities. (3) Satellites, telemetry and automated stations (moorings) (4) Biogeochemical ecosystem models (5) HBCO All resources and facilities can be shared with other programs (ArcticNet, CLIVAR) and other IPY projects. For instance, spatio-temporal monitoring (1 and 2) and high-resolution sampling of physical and biological parameters (3) complement Theme 3 of ArcticNet (Land-Ocean Interactions in subarctic Hudson Bay). The biochemical ecosystem model will contribute to CLIVAR and will add to and benefit from ArcticNet Themes 3 and 4 (Adapting to change in the Canadian Arctic). The HBCO can act as a centre for data management/dissemination and integration for other programs and new initiatives launched within the IPY framework.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
The HBCO will remain as a legacy from this program and perhaps become part of an international polar observing system. The field sampling results will add to the detailed description of how the physical environment controls the seasonal and spatial distribution of the biota. The implementation of community-based sampling of a network of coastal stations will leave a legacy of infrastructure and knowledge important for the future of local communities. The coupled physical-biological model and the web-based information and dissemination centre will remain as tools to monitor, predict and communicate environmental changes in the region. This information is essential for the survival and development of local communities in the future.

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

It is assumed that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada will provide ship-time (class 1200 ice-breaker) during each year of the IPY (2007-2008).

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes. MERICA is an existing program and DFO will support HBCO to strengthen this long-term monitoring program.

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

HBCO builds upon the recently initiated monitoring program MERICA. HBCO aims at strengthening/validating MERICA, establishing the basis for an ecosystem approach for management, and developing/implementing biogeochemical ecosystem models and a data/information management and dissemination centre. It will also allow DFO to greatly contribute to/and benefit from ongoing research of the natural sciences component of ArcticNet and several research initiatives (N-CAARE, CLIVAR) and research organizations/institutes (ISMER, Ouranos, UQAM, WHOI) that investigate physical-biological coupling within the Hudson Bay complex, circumpolar Arctic, and subarctic seas.

How will the project be organised and managed?
HBCO will be managed and coordinated by a steering committee with membership coming from DFO, universities and local communities (e.g., Nunavik Research Centre). This committee will actively participate in the coordination of HBCO activities with those of the IPY office and other international programs. Tasks will include : •planning the program elements and the infrastructure needs; •coordination of the HBCO program activities while ensuring maximum networking with initiatives such as the Arctic Observing Network and GEOSS; •communication with local communities and other partners; •organization of scientific and information meetings, workshops, etc.; •interaction with funding agencies.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
With its website, the HBCO will have outreach, communication and education as one of its main objectives. HBCO will incorporate the traditional knowledge of northern communities in a truly integrated approach. Through the HBCO website, local communities and the public will have free access to an annual report on the state of the Hudson Bay complex, as well as to data and other comprehensive products designed to inform the very diverse clientele interested in the state and changes observed in the ecosystems of the Hudson Bay complex. Mutual education will also result from the implementation of community-operated monitoring stations.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data management/access is a central objective of HBCO. Importing technologies developed for the St. Lawrence Observatory portal (OSL), HBCO will integrate databases of all physical, biological, and chemical data in addition to traditional knowledge collected as part of this project as well as the data from MERICA and from other relevant experimental and modelling results from other projects if accessible. All data will be transferred to Marine Environmental Data Service (MEDS) to support national and international data commitments of the Government of Canada.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
HBCO is a 1 to 1.6 M initiative that should be funded mostly from the financial resources made available to DFO as part of Canada's contribution to the IPY. Additional funding may be provided by other participating scientists and partners.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
Important changes in the polar regions are occurring, as seen by the significant reduction in sea ice areal extent and thickness. The Hudson Bay complex is an area where these changes are most apparent in the polar region of Canada. This proposed IPY project provides a truly multidisciplinary and inter-regionally integrated framework that will allow significant scientific advances.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Michel Starr
Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Maurice Lamontagne Institute
Mont-Joli, Québec
G5H 3Z4
Canada

Tel: (418) 775-0611
Mobile: (418) 775-0611
Fax: (418) 775-0546
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation