Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

CANADA #250: Lancaster Sound Marine Ecology Project  

Outline
The Lancaster Sound region (centred at approximately 740 N., 840 W.) is a key ecosystem in the Arctic, at the eastern end of the Northwest Passage. Each summer, several species of marine birds and mammals live there, feeding heavily on Arctic cod (Boreogadus saida), the primary forage fish species throughout the Arctic. Observations of the diets of Thick-billed Murres (Uria lomvia) nesting on Prince Leopold Island in Lancaster Sound indicate that from 1975 until 2000, Arctic cod was the dominant fish fed to murre chicks. During 2001 and 2002, capelin (Mallotus villosus) appeared in their diet for the first time. Coincident with the diet change, a partial reproductive failure of the Thick-billed Murres and Black-legged Kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) occurred in 2002. In Hudson Bay, capelin and sandlance (Ammodytes spp) have increased and Arctic cod have decreased in the diets of nestling Thick-billed Murres, indicating that changes in these forage fish species may be widespread throughout the eastern Arctic. There is now evidence that there have been large-scale changes in the physical ocean environment in the Arctic, which are possibly being manifested as biological changes. If these changes persist, it is expected that there will be corresponding changes in the large vertebrate predators (marine birds, mammals and finfish), in turn having direct effects on users of these resources. There is little scientific information available to evaluate whether the present change in the marine fauna, especially for the forage and predator fishes, is due to climate change or to evaluate future changes that might occur due to climate change. We plan to describe and quantify multi-species ecological interactions within the marine environment of the Lancaster Sound region in the high Arctic. Field-based studies will focus on interactions among environmental variables and marine mammal, bird, fish and zooplankton communities. Surveys for fish species will be unique in that they will include sampling of adult and juveniles of the major forage and predatory fish species. Laboratory-based studies will focus on the propagation of energy, along with contaminants (organohalogens, metals) through Arctic marine food webs, using state-of-the-art techniques such as stable isotope analysis. Laboratory-based genetic studies will be tied in with ongoing, global initiatives and will provide insights into the origins of the capelin that have recently appeared in marine bird diets in Lancaster Sound.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Theme 1. Previous studies on energy flow in the Lancaster Sound ecosystem identified major gaps in knowledge of zooplankton, forage fish and marine predators. This integrated ecosystem study would address these deficiencies at a time when the ecosystem is showing signs of change, possibly as result of climate change. Theme 2. This project would supply meterological and hydrographic data to be added to global databases addressing large-scale changes in polar regions. Theme 3. Genetic analysis of capelin from Lancaster Sound will supplement ongoing global studies on capelin genetics.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Nothing at the time of writing.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Lancaster Sound, eastern Canadian Arctic (centred at approximately 740 N., 840 W)

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

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ice –strengthened research ship with scientific acoustic instruments, midwater and bottom-trawling capabilities, capability to sample zooplankton. Possible sharing with other projects but it is critical that the appropriate vessel be dedicated to this project at the critical time.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Major survey vessel either using DFO vessel or charter, probably from another country. Logistical support to be requested from Polar Continental Shelf project where necessary.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No

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

How will the project be organised and managed?
A management team of the participating scientists will be formed.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
A website will be maintained by the project. Scientific management meetings will be held in northern communities whenever possible, thus providing the opportunity to meet with local organizations, schools and community and government leaders.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
All data will be available and will meet the requirements for accessibility as established by IPY. Funding will be allocated for a dedicated data manager.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Potential partial funding from NSERC and Nunavut Wildlife Board. These sources might account for upwards of $200-330K of a total requirement of approximately $1.6 million annually. The remainder would have to come from special funding from DFO and other federal government departments. All sources of funding are highly uncertain.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
This project is unique in that it will use acoustics and fishing technology to study juvenile and adult fish and zooplankton in relation to marine birds and mammals, and the physical environment. To the best of our knowledge, other projects in the eastern high Arctic have not had or do not have comparable capabilities. The timing of August each year for field work is critical. At this time, there should be a minimum amount of ice, making acoustic surveying and fishing possible. Seabirds and other major predators should still be in the area.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr James Carscadden
Research Scientist Fisheries and Oceans Canada
P.O. Box 5667/C.P. 5667
St. John’s, NL A1C 5X1

Tel: (709) 772-5541
Mobile: no
Fax: (709) 772-4188
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation