[IASC] · INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC SCIENCE COMMITTEE
The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) is a non-governmental, international scientific organization. The IASC mission is to encourage and facilitate cooperation in all aspects of arctic research, in all countries engaged
IASC in arctic research and in all areas of the arctic region. Overall, IASC promotes and supports leading-edge multi-disciplinary research in order to foster a
Bulletin 2013 greater scientific understanding of the arctic region and its role in the Earth system.
TO ACHIEVE THIS MISSION IASC:
• Initiates, coordinates and promotes scientific activities at a circumarctic or international level;
• Provides mechanisms and instruments to support science development;
• Provides objective and independent scientific advice on issues of science in the Arctic and communicates scientific information to the public;
• Seeks to ensure that scientific data and information from the Arctic are safeguarded, freely exchangeable and accessible;
• Promotes international access to all geographic areas and the sharing of knowledge, logistics and other resources;
• Provides for the freedom and ethical conduct of science;
• Promotes and involves the next generation of scientists working in the Arctic; and
• Promotes bipolar cooperation through interaction IASC 2013 with relevant science organizations. BULLETIN
IASC Bulletin 2013 ISSN: 1654-7594, ISBN: 978-3-9813637-4-6 Telegrafenberg A43 - 14473 Potsdam, Germany INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC SCIENCE COMMITTEE Phone: +49-331-2882214 | E-mail: [email protected] | www.iasc.info Telegrafenberg A43, DE - 14473 Potsdam, Germany www.iasc.info
INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC SCIENCE COMMITTEE [IASC] · STRUCTURE
Representatives of national scientific organizations from all 21 member countries form the IASC Council. The President of IASC is elected by Council, which also elects 4 Vice-Presidents to serve on the Executive Committee. Council usually meets once a year during the Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW). The IASC Executive Committee operates as a board of directors and manages the activities of IASC between Council meetings. The Chair is the President of IASC.
The IASC Secretariat implements decisions of the Executive Committee and Council, manages IASC finances, conducts outreach activities and maintains international communication.
IASC MEMBER COUNTRIES
Canada Canadian Polar Commission www.polarcom.gc.ca
China Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration www.chinare.gov.cn
Czech Republic Czech Centre for Polar Research http://polar.prf.jcu.cz/
Denmark/Greenland The Agency for Science, Technology www.fi.dk and Innovation
Finland Delegation of the Finnish Academies of www.tsv.fi/international/ Science and Letters akatemiat/
France Institut Polaire Français www.institut-polaire.fr
Germany Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft www.dfg.de
Iceland RANNÍS, The Icelandic Centre for Research www.rannis.is
India National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean www.ncaor.gov.in Research (NCAOR)
Italy National Research Council of Italy www.cnr.it
Japan Science Council of Japan, National Institute www.nipr.ac.jp of Polar Research
The Netherlands Netherlands Organisation for Scientific www.nwo.nl Research
Norway The Research Council of Norway www.forskningsradet.no
Poland Polish Academy of Sciences, Committee on www.polish.polar.pan.pl Polar Research
Russia The Russian Academy of Sciences www.ras.ru
Republic of Korea Korea National Committee on Polar Research www.kopri.re.kr
Spain Comité Polar Español www.micinn.es
Sweden The Swedish Research Council www.vr.se
Switzerland Swiss Committee on Polar Research www.polar-research.ch
United Kingdom Natural Environment Research Council www.nerc.ac.uk
USA Polar Research Board www.dels.nas.edu/prb/
PHOTO: ED STOCKARD Clean science requires tyvek suits. Two science techs at summit have been out sampling snow at Summit Station, Greenland. It is a tough and sometimes extremely chilling job and these techs are dedicated to the task. IASC 2013 BULLETIN
INTERNATIONAL ARCTIC SCIENCE COMMITTEE [CONTENT] PREFACE
1 IASC Internal Development .... 9 6 Relationship to other Organization ...... 10 Organizations ...... 69
International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) ...... 70 2 IASC Working Groups ...... 19 International Arctic Social Sciences Atmosphere Working Group ...... 21 Association (IASSA) ...... 72 Cryosphere Working Group ...... 23 lnternational Council for the Exploration Marine Working Group ...... 25 of the Sea (ICES) ...... 73 Social and Human Sciences Working Group . . . 28 International Network for Circumpolar Health Research (INCHR) ...... 74 Terrestrial Working Group ...... 31 International Permafrost Association (IPA) ... 75 Cross-Cutting Initiatives...... 34 Pacific Arctic Group (PAG) ...... 78 Scientific Committee on Antarctic 3 IASC Action Groups ...... 37 Research (SCAR) ...... 79 [IMPRINT] Second SCAR-IASC Bipolar Action Group World Climate Research Program/ Climate and (BipAG II) ...... 38 Cryosphere Project (WCRP/CliC) ...... 81 International Arctic Science Committee Action Group on Geosciences ...... 42 Telegrafenberg A43 Data Policy Action Group ...... 43 DE-14473 Potsdam, GERMANY 7 IPY 2012 Montréal Conference
Phone: +49 331 288 2214 “From Knowledge to Action” Fax: +49 331 288 2215 4 IASC Networks ...... 45 and Arctic Science Summit E-mail: [email protected] Palaeo-Arctic Spatial and Temporal Gateways Website: www.iasc.info (PAST Gateways) ...... 46 Week (ASSW) 2012 ...... 85 Polar Archeology Network (PAN) ...... 49 © International Arctic Science Committee 2013 IPY 2012 Conference ...... 86 Editors: Ursula Heidbach, Sara Bowden and Volker Rachold Network on Arctic Glaciology (NAG) ...... 51 Arctic Science Summit Week 2012 ...... 88 Production and Layout: www.redpear.de Circum-Arctic Lithosphere Evolution (CALE) ... 53 Printing: www.druckereiarnold.de Arctic Climate System Network (ACSNet) ... 55 8 Capacity Building ...... 91 ISSN: 1654-7594 Arctic Coastal Dynamics (ACD) ...... 56 Association of Polar Early Career ISBN: 978-3-9813637-4-6 Scientists (APECS) ...... 93 5 International Science Arctic in Rapid Transition (ART) ...... 95 Initiatives ...... 61 Overview of supported Early Career Scientists . . 97
Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) . . 62 International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC) ... 64 Annex ...... 103 International Polar Initiative (IPI) ...... 66 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ...... 103 COVERPHOTO: MICHAEL HARDWOOD Alert, Nunavut: Polar wolf and Inukshuk at a stopover during the PAMARCMiP (Polar Airborne Measurements and Arctic Regional Climate Model Simulation Project) study. [PREFACE] Each year the International Arctic Science Committee activities of the Arctic Council resulted in a number IASC will celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2015, which (IASC) compiles and presents this Bulletin, providing of very successful joint activities, such as the Arctic presents the opportunity to summarize and review an overview of the diverse activities conducted and Climate Impact Assessment (ACIA) and the Snow, IASC´s contributions and recognize those that have sponsored by IASC. In addition to an annual report Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic (SWIPA) report. been instrumental in its founding, development and of new and continuing initiatives, the Bulletin also The most signifi cant ongoing collaborative activity is growth. IASC Council decided that this anniversary presents updates regarding prospects for future the Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON). Last would be held in conjunction with a third International activities. year, IASC and the Arctic Council jointly established a Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP III) Board and an Executive Committee overseeing the during the ASSW 2015 in Japan. Over the past two In 2012 the Czech Republic and India joined the development of SAON, which to date includes more decades, IASC has been organizing forward-looking IASC family, bringing the total membership to twenty- than 20 tasks. One of these tasks involves convening conferences focused on international perspectives one countries engaged in all aspects of Arctic the fi rst Arctic Observing Summit (AOS) in April/May for advancing Arctic research cooperation and scientifi c activities. As a non-governmental body, 2013 and the second AOS in conjunction with the ICARP III will provide a timely opportunity to further IASC works closely with scientists from countries and Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) 2014 in Finland. the development of cross-cutting, inter- and trans- organizations around the world to facilitate global disciplinary initiatives, and engage IASC’s partners interest and participation in Arctic research. In April last year, more than 3,000 participants attended in future collaborative activities building on past the third and fi nal conference of the International Polar This 2013 IASC Bulletin clearly shows that two years experiences. ICARP III is a specifi c area of cooperation Year (IPY), entitled “From Knowledge to Action”, to after their formation, the fi ve IASC Working Groups in the agreement between IASC and the International present the latest fi ndings and to discuss solutions for (WGs) - Terrestrial, Cryosphere, Marine, Atmosphere Arctic Social Science Association (IASSA) and addressing the challenges faced in the Polar Region. and Social & Human - have become IASC´s scientifi c University of the Arctic (UArctic). Preliminary plans IASC was deeply involved in the development and core elements. An impressive number of cutting- for ICARP III will be presented at the ASSW 2013 to implementation of the IPY from the very beginning edge activities have been initiated by the WGs in seek research community input and to secure further and also substantially contributed to the fi nal IPY cooperation with IASC´s partner organizations. The WGs membership for an ICARP III Steering Committee Conference. In the closing ceremony, IASC, together have promoted a variety of system-scale activities from IASC partner organizations. with its southern hemisphere partner, the Scientifi c within IASC and also encouraged interactions by Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the Many have contributed to the successful development developing cross-cutting activities that engage at Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), of IASC during the past year and we would like to thank least three of the WGs. received the IPY torch, indicating that these three everyone involved for supporting IASC, especially the Actions Groups, providing strategic advice to the IASC organizations are now assuming responsibility for Chairs and members of IASC´s Working Groups and Council, have become an important instrument for securing the IPY legacies. Action Groups. developing long-term activities and addressing urgent To address the emerging challenges identifi ed within needs. Two new Action Groups were established last the IPY, a new and novel framework for long-term year. The Action Group on Geosciences will address cooperation between the stakeholders with mandate David Hik | IASC President concerns that geological research is underrepresented and interest in the Polar Regions, provisionally entitled Volker Rachold | IASC Executive Secretary in the current WG structure, and the Data Policy “International Polar Initiative” (IPI), has been proposed. Group will reinforce IASC’s commitment to robust data IASC is co-chairing an International Steering Group, management by developing a data policy for IASC currently developing the concept for this long-term supported activities. initiative and linkages to the International Council for As an accredited observer of the Arctic Council, IASC is Science´s (ICSU) “Future Earth” program. The overall supporting the work of the Arctic Council, its Working goal of the IPI is to optimize and better coordinate Groups and Permanent Participants by providing existing resources and facilities and to develop scientifi c expertise from all its members, including mechanisms for concerted investments in areas the non-Arctic countries. IASC´s contributions to the where activities are lacking.
PHOTO: ANDREW REED WELLER Taking a break during the Northern Alaska Landscape History Project in the remote reaches of the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska. PHOTO: COLE MOSZYNSKI Unknown seed pods (possibly Tufted Saxifrage) backlit by the arctic sun, during a sea ice-based study in Resolute Passage, NU, Canada.
1. IASC Internal Development IASC Council IASC Executive Committee Representatives of national scientifi c organizations from The Executive Committee operates as a board of all IASC member countries form the IASC Council that directors and manages IASC’s activities between meets once a year during the Arctic Science Summit Council meetings. The Executive Committee consists Week (ASSW). The Council members ensure an input of fi ve elected offi cials: the President and four Vice- of a wide range of scientifi c and technical knowledge Presidents, and the Executive Secretary. and provide access to a large number of scientists and » administrators through their national committees. The current IASC Executive Committee 1 IASC Internal Development members are: David Hik, President The IASC Council has the responsibility to: Huigen Yang, Vice President ũ Develop policies and guidelines for cooperative Jacqueline Grebmeier, Vice-President arctic research; Susan Barr, Vice-President ũ Establish Working Groups (WGs) that address Naja Mikkelsen, Vice-President and act on timely topics in arctic science; IASC Organization Volker Rachold, IASC Executive Secretary ũ Recommend, in cooperation with the WGs, The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) is a in order to foster a greater scientifi c understanding implementation plans for IASC programs and non-governmental organization that encourages and of the arctic region and its role in the Earth system. Elections activities; facilitates cooperation in all aspects of arctic research, in IASC was established in 1990, began operations in The IASC Council, during its April 2012 meeting, elected all countries engaged in arctic research and in all areas 1991, and today comprises 21 member countries. ũ Decide on the participation of national scientifi c the Chinese Council Member Huigen Yang, replacing of the arctic region. To fulfi ll its mission, IASC promotes The IASC member organizations are national science organizations from the non-arctic countries; and Byong-Kwon Park from Korea, as the new IASC Vice and supports leading-edge multi-disciplinary research organizations covering all fi elds of arctic research. ũ Organize arctic science conferences. President and member of the IASC Executive Commitee.
Country Organization Representative
Canada Canadian Polar Commission David Hik, President China Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration Huigen Yang, Vice-President Bipolar Action Group Data Policy Action Group Czech Republic Czech Centre for Polar Research Josef Elster Action Group on Geosciences Denmark/Greenland The Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation Naja Mikkelsen, Vice-President Finland Delegation of the Finnish Academies of Science and Letters Kari Laine France Institut Polaire Français Yves Frenot Germany Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Karin Lochte Iceland RANNÍS, The Icelandic Centre for Research Thorsteinn Gunnarsson India National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) Sivaramakrishnan Rajan Italy National Research Council of Italy Carlo Barbante Japan Science Council of Japan Tetsuo Ohata The Netherlands Netherlands Organisation for Scientifi c Research Louwrens Hacquebord Norway The Research Council of Norway Susan Barr, Vice-President
Poland Polish Academy of Sciences, Committee on Polar Research Jacek Jania Workshops, Assessments, Science Planning Russia The Russian Academy of Sciences Vladimir I. Pavlenko Long-Term Programs, Networks
Republic of Korea Korea National Committee on Polar Research Byong-Kwon Park, Vice-President INSTRUMENTS TO SUPPORT Spain Comité Polar Español Manuel Catalan SCIENCE DEVELOPMENT Sweden The Swedish Research Council Magnus Friberg Switzerland Swiss Committee on Polar Research Martin Luethi United Kingdom Natural Environment Research Council Cynan Ellis-Evans USA Polar Research Board Jackie Grebmeier, Vice-President
TABLE: An overview of all IASC Council members, including the countries and organizations they represent. PHOTO: The IASC Council Meeting at ASSW 2012 in Montréal, Canada. FIGURE: Diagram representing key elements of the IASC organizational structure.
10 11 1 IASC INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT 1 IASC INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT IASC Secretariat Contact Information IASC Secretariat and Staff The IASC Secretariat is responsible for the daily operations of IASC including: IASC Secretariat ũũ Communicating with Council members; ũũ Communicating with other organizations including Telegrafenberg A43 the Arctic Council and its subsidiary bodies and 14473 Potsdam, Germany the International Council for Science (ICSU); Phone: +49-331-2882214 ũũ Publication of the IASC Bulletin and IASC material Fax: +49 331 288 2215 as required; E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.iasc.info ũũ Maintaining the IASC website, preparing the IASC newsletter Progress, and in general facilitating outreach; and Volker Rachold | Executive Secretary Phone: +49 331 288 2212 ũũ Administration of IASC finances. Mobile: +49 160 90664174 E-mail: [email protected]
Ursula Heidbach | Communication Officer Phone: +49 331 288 2213 E-mail: [email protected]
Heike Midleja | Administrative Assistant 18 national institutions, organizations and universities Phone: +49 331 288 2214 New IASC Member have participated in the Indian Arctic Program, which is E-mail: [email protected] being coordinated and implemented by the National Country: India Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Yoo Kyung Lee | Executive Officer the Goa-based R&D Wing of the Ministry.
Korea Polar Research Institute (KOPRI) The focus areas of research by the Indian scientists at Seoul, Korea Ny-Ålesund are confined to some of the frontier areas of Phone: +82-10-5800-8623 polar sciences of special relevance to the Arctic realm, E-mail: [email protected] such as glaciology, atmospheric science, biology and climate change. India´s scientific endeavors in the Arctic News from the IASC Secretariat: India began its scientific endeavors in the Arctic To facilitate the Indian activities, NCAOR has leased Mare Pit, Executive Officer of the Secretariat in Potsdam, in 2007 when a team of five scientists visited the a station building at Ny-Ålesund to serve as India’s Germany, on maternity leave, has been replaced by International Arctic Research Facilities at Ny-Ålesund Research Base in the Arctic. This station building Ursula Heidbach, who will be in charge of outreach to initiate studies in the fields of Arctic microbiology, christened “Himadri” was inaugurated by Mr. Kapil Sibal, and communication in the Secretariat. From Korea, atmospheric sciences and geology. Following the then Minister of Earth Sciences, on the 1 July 2008 in Yoo Kyung Lee replaced Sara Bowden as the Executive success of this initial step, the Ministry of Earth Sciences the distinguished presence of H. E. Ms. Tora Aasland, Officer of the IASC Working Groups. of the Government of India embarked on a long-term Minister of Research and Higher Education (Norway), program of regular scientific activities in the Arctic in the Anette Schavan, Minister of Science (Germany) and frontier realms of polar biology, glaciology and earth several scientists and policy makers from Norway and and atmospheric sciences. To date, 117 scientists from elsewhere involved in the Ny-Ålesund activities. The
. PHOTO: India´s station building at Ny-Ålesund.
12 13 1 IASC INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT 1 IASC INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT station has adequate living and workspace for a total of 8 scientists. New IASC Member On the above occasion, a Memorandum of Country: the Understanding was also signed between NCAOR and the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI) for scientific co- Czech Republic operation and collaborative research in the following fields:
ũũ Geological mapping and allied earth science
studies
ũũ Long-term monitoring of the Kongsfjorden
system of Ny-Ålesund ũũ Biogeochemistry of sea-ice ecosystems Present Czech Research and ũũ Atmospheric physics and chemistry Education Activities in the Arctic The recently published Arctic Climate Impact ũũ Glaciological studies initiative. The Czech research team has established a The University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Assessment (ACIA) presents detailed information of ũũ Paleoclimatology small temporary research station in the central part of has established the department “Centre for Polar the significant contemporary changes in regional Svalbard (Isfjord, Billefjorden, Petuniabukta). Ecology”. The Centre is responsible for the operation variability and trends of the climate and ecosystems and educational activities in arctic ecology. At present, A comprehensive long-term science plan of in the Arctic, with important coupling and feedback The following subjects were studied: Centre workers, with the help of University leaders, research activities by Indian scientists in the Arctic mechanisms to the global climate system. The present ũũ Investigate biological variability – diversity - are negotiating with Norwegian representatives has been developed by the Centre. The science Czech multidisciplinary research program is exploring productivity parameters, as modified by abiotic concerning the location and technical solution of the plan was unveiled and presented by NCAOR at the the diversity of both climates and ecosystems, across parameters, at the same habitat sites; 29th Meeting of the Ny-Ålesund Science Managers research station. landscapes within the central Svalbard region by ũũ Investigate climate variability, as modified by Committee (NySMAC) in 2008. India is also an integrating existing and new intensive measurements physical processes in the atmo- pedo- hydro- Since 2011, the Centre for Polar Ecology, Faculty of associate partner in the Svalbard Integrated Arctic of key biological and physical variables and processes cryosphere, at several different scales; Science, University of South Bohemia, under the Earth Observing System (SIOS). at multiple circum-Arctic observational sites. auspice of the project “Development of pedagogical ũũ Connect the physical - biological variability within conditions and teacher teams focused on In the coming months, Indian scientists plan to Since 2007, the Czech Republic has regularly landscapes to both regional and hemispheric performance of university course in polar ecology install a suite of state-of-the-art instrumentation on participated in several programs which were climate circulation, with the help of mathematical and life in extreme environments” has organized a Svalbard directed at monitoring the precipitation prepared under the auspices of the International Polar models. Polar Ecology course, in which each year 26 Czech as well as understanding the role of aerosol and Year (IPY 2007 – 2008). One of them, arctic climate graduate students participate. The field part of the precursor gases in direct radiative forcing. In addition, and biological diversity, an interdisciplinary (biology In 2008, the Czech Republic established the Czech course is held in the above mentioned temporary a multi-sensor ocean-atmosphere mooring system and climatology) research project, was proposed as a Centre for Polar Research. On the basis of this research station. The Polar Ecology course is bringing is planned in the Kongsfjorden, as a part of India’s part of the Network for ARCtic Climate and Biological action, arctic and antarctic research initiatives were information about the ecological functioning and contribution to the flagship program for Ny-Ålesund. DIVersity Studies (ARCDIV NET). The main aim of the introduced into the research infrastructure of the biodiversity of both polar regions. A week of lectures project was to explore the diversity of both climate Czech Republic. On the basis of these activities, a covers the following topics: climatology, glaciology, and ecosystems among landscapes within the arctic new research project is being supported by the Written by geology, geomorphology, hydrology, limnology, region. The Czech research team (represented by Czech Government: „CzechPolar – Construction and Dr. S. Rajan | Director - National Centre for Antarctic & microbiology, phycology, botany, plant physiology, three institutions – the University of South Bohemia Operational Expenses“. The aim of the proposed Ocean Research, Goa, India zoology and parasitology. in České Budějovice, the Institute of Botany, the project is the construction and operation of a Czech Email: [email protected]; [email protected] Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and the arctic research station in Svalbard (University of South The Czech research and university education activities Masaryk University in Brno) participated in this research Bohemia in České Budějovice - http://polar.prf.jcu.cz). are connected with the Svalbard Integrated Arctic
PHOTO: The Czech research team on Svalbard.
14 15 1 IASC INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT 1 IASC INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT policy makers, people who live in or near the Arctic IASC´s former Executive Secretary Odd Rogne and Earth System (SIOS) and the International Network IASC´s and the global community who have growing including Louwrens Hacquebord, Robert Corell for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic concerns about the changing Arctic environment and Volker Rachold, has been formed. (INTERACT) programs. The Czech Republic is an th 25 Anniversary and its impact on the planet. ICARP III is a specific area associate partner in both programs with plans to be of cooperation in the agreement between IASC and The IASC planning period (1986-1990) was an a member of these international research activities. In including the 3rd International Conference on the International Arctic Social Science Association icebreaker for circum-arctic cooperation. These 2012, the Czech Republic, through the University of Arctic Research Planning (ICARP III) to be held (IASSA) and University of the Arctic (UArctic), and innovative discussions were closely watched by South Bohemia in České Budějovice, became a member as part of the Arctic Science Summit Week the initial planning for ICARP III has also considered governmental officials both in northern countries of the International Arctic Science Committee. Czech (ASSW) 2015 the development of other initiatives such as the and other countries having a serious interest in researchers and students are prepared to participate International Polar Initiative (IPI). The preliminary the Arctic. Wording in the IASC planning papers in various international research projects across the Over the past two decades, IASC has been organizing plans for ICARP III will be presented at the ASSW found its way into President Gorbachev’s Murmansk Arctic. The introduced research and educational forward-looking conferences focused on international 2013 to seek research community input and to speech (1987), a speech that changed the Soviet projects are preparing conditions for long-term and interdisciplinary perspectives for advancing secure further membership for the ICARP III Steering Arctic policy fundamentally. Months later, the same ecological research in the Arctic and simultaneously Arctic research cooperation and applications of Arctic Committee from IASC partner organizations. contents are found in the communiqué from the for accreditation of polar ecology courses into the knowledge. Gorbachev-Reagan Summit Meeting (Reykjavik, university education in the Czech Republic. June 1987). The IASC planning process served as a In 2015, it will have been 10 years since the 2nd Also, IASC will celebrate its 25th anniversary in stimulus for initiating circum-arctic thinking in other International Conference on Arctic Research 2015. The IASC Council agreed that the anniversary Arctic organizations, and especially for circum-arctic Planning (ICARP II in 2005) and 20 years since the celebration should by held in conjunction with governmental collaboration. Written by first ICARP in 1995. ICARP II was an important part ICARP III during the ASSW 2015 in Japan. The Josef Elster | Centre for Polar Ecology, Department of of the lead-up towards the International Polar anniversary presents the opportunity to review This history will also cover how an international Ecosystem Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Year 2007-2008, which now is concluded. ICARP IASC contributions and recognize those who have organization was formed and developed based South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Czech Republic III will provide a timely opportunity to further the been instrumental in its founding, development on some simple ‘Founding Articles’, how IASC development of cross-cutting, inter-disciplinary and growth. A publication on the History of IASC, Email: [email protected] changed over time, and some of its initiatives and and trans-disciplinary initiatives, and engage IASC’s including a special issue of the IASC Bulletin achievements. partners in future collaborative activities building and supporting documents, such as historical on past experiences. It will present a framework to documents and photos and short interviews identify Arctic science priorities for the next decade, of key people involved in the development of to coordinate Arctic research agendas, and to inform IASC, will be presented. An editorial team, led by
PHOTO: JOSEF ELSTER PHOTO: JOSEF ELSTER Polar Ecology Course (Svalbard): microbiology. Polar Ecology course (Svalbard): field work with Czech graduate students
16 17 1 IASC INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT 1 IASC INTERNAL DEVELOPMENT PHOTO: ANDREA SPOLAOR Stunning skies in a Svalbard Moraine between NY-Alesund and the glaciers of Kongsvegen and Holtedhal-Fonna.
2. IASC Working Groups The scientific scope of the Atmosphere Working Group Atmosphere includes any scientific research towards understanding and prediction of Arctic change, including the fate Working Group of perennial sea ice and the global atmospheric consequences of its disappearance. This includes past climate states, investigation of Arctic processes Steering Group across data sets and approaches, and climate model Jim Overland, Chair, USA projections of the future. » 2 IASC Working Groups Michael Tjernström, Vice Chair, Sweden Hiroshi Tanaka, Vice Chair, Japan Scientific Priorities Working Group Members During its inaugural meeting in Potsdam in January Suresh Babu, India 2011, the AWG decided to focus its efforts upon two Angel Frutos Baraja, Spain scientific priorities. Halldor Bjornsson, Iceland The core elements of IASC are its Working Groups The first of these is for the AWG to engage fully with John Cassano, USA (WGs). IASC WGs identify and formulate science the World Climate Research Program (WCRP) to Klaus Dethloff, Germany plans, research priorities, encourage science-led develop a program on Polar climate predictability. Guenther Heinemann, Germany programs, promote future generations of arctic Polar climate predictability is an issue of growing Claude Labine, Canada scientists and act as scientific advisory boards to concern particularly as it becomes clear that Arctic Kamil Laska, Czech Republic amplification has an impact on lower latitudes. the Council. In 2010 the IASC Council established Kathy Law, France IASC, together with WCRP, can play a leading role in five WGs: Terrestrial, Marine, Atmosphere, Social and Bian Lingen, China bringing the international community together to Human Sciences and Cryosphere. Lasse Makkonen, Finland address issues related to decadal and multi-decadal The first combined IASC WGs Workshop was held Nuncio Murukesh, India prediction. in Potsdam, Germany in January 2011 and brought Tadeusz Niedźwiedź, Poland The second scientific priority is to initiate the planning together all the members of the five WGs. During Gudrun Nina Petersen, Iceland and design a long-term, international, observational three intense days of discussion each of the WGs Rajmund Przybylak, Poland ice camp observatory in order to provide much selected a Chair and members for their respective Kaoru Sato, Japan needed observations to support regional and global Steering Group, summarized the state of research in Anna Sjöblom, Norway climate model simulations. their field, discussed gaps in research, and identified Henrik Skov, Denmark priority areas for short and longer-term attention. Kjetil Tørseth, Norway In addition, the AWG is providing support for historical They also worked together to identify emerging Timo Vihma, Finland data retrieval and reanalysis and organization crosscutting issues, which span the interests of Vito Vitale, Italy of a session at the IPY Montreal Conference in several WGs. Young Jun Yoon, Korea collaboration with the Human and Social WG on Seong-Joong Kim, Korea public perception of Arctic change. In the following paragraphs the IASC WGs present an overview of their foci, their 2012 activities and Scope plans for the upcoming year. Activities The geographic scope of the Atmosphere Working The AWG is working to develop a science plan for Group (AWG) is the Arctic but also includes the multi-year comprehensive measurements, extending Arctic´s responses to global change processes (Arctic from the ocean through the sea-ice and into the amplification) and impacts of Arctic changes on the atmosphere, in the central Arctic Basin, to improve northern hemisphere atmospheric circulation. modeling of Arctic climate and weather conditions,
PHOTO: JACOB SIEVERS
Instruments to monitor Atmospheric CO2 exchange are being set up on the sea-ice during a sea-ice campaign in North East Greenland (Daneborg). The experiment was conducted by the Greenland Climate Research Centre and the University of Manitoba. The overall goal
was to investigate CO2 and energy exchange in an active Polynia. 20 21 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS and for prediction of future Arctic sea-ice cover. Following up on a September 2011 workshop entitled Drifting Observatory on the Arctic Sea and Regional and Global Climate Model Simulations (AIDA-RCM) the AWG, with support from the Cryosphere Working Group (CWG) and MWG, sponsored a second workshop to further develop the underlying scientific justification for a long-term, internationally supported drifting sea ice observatory.
The workshop, entitled Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) was held in Boulder, CO on June 27-29, 2012. Prior to the workshop a white paper to outline the objectives and timeline for such an observatory was developed. Participants agreed to begin the drafting of a science and implementation plan for an observatory, develop a website to support their efforts and hold a follow-up workshop in 2013.
Secondly, The AWG with support from WCRP, sponsored a workshop in April 2012 entitled IASC/ WCRP Polar Climate Predictability Workshop. The and a third workshop will be held in Tokyo, Japan just Rene Forsberg, Denmark following issues were identified as priority frontier prior to the Third International Symposium on Arctic Cryosphere Jon Ove Hagen, Norway questions to be addressed in any future initiative: Research (ISAR 3). Hans-Wolfgang Hubberten, Germany ũũ Why are the climates at the two poles changing Working Group Elizabeth Hunke, USA The AWG, in close cooperation with the Human so differently to each other (with the Arctic Soon Do Hur, Korea changing rapidly, and the Antarctic unevenly), and Social WG, hosted a session at the IPY Montreal Jacek Jania, Poland and to global climate? Science Conference on Public Perception of Arctic Steering Group Jan Kavan, Czech Republic ũũ Why is the rate of Arctic change at the edge (or Change, specifically focusing on the question of “why Martin Sharp, Chair, Canada Jack Kohler, Norway beyond) the distribution of model estimates, is the public becoming more skeptical about climate Tetsuo Ohata, Vice Chair, Japan (until Jan. 2013) Pentti Kujala, Finland with observations on average exceeding the change even as evidence to the contrary mounts?” Pedro Elosegui, Vice Chair, Spain Peter Lemke, Germany model rate of change? And why is the situation Julian Dowdeswell, Vice Chair, UK Matti Lepparanta, Finland In addition, the AWG is supporting the development essentially the opposite in the Antarctic? Martin Luethi, Switzerland of an international Arctic historical data retrieval and Working Group Members Walt Meier, USA ũũ Do the ongoing amplified changes in the Arctic reanalysis effort and has endorsed the activities of the Signe Bech Andersen, Denmark Krzysztof Migala, Poland have an influence on extremes in the Arctic? International Arctic System for Observing the Arctic Helgi Björnsson, Iceland Francisco Navarro, Spain ũũ How predictable is Arctic climate? (IASOA) program. Sun Bo, China Francesca Pellicciotti, Switzerland Arun Chaturvedi, India Parmanand Sharma, India http://www.iasc.info/index.php/home/groups/ A second workshop was held in Seattle in October working-groups/atmosphere Georgia Destouni, Sweden Shin Sugiyama, Japan (as of Feb. 2013) on Arctic Climate Predictability co-sponsored by Hiroyuki Enomoto, Japan Carleen Tijm-Reijmer, The Netherlands Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program (AMAP) Michel Fily, France Thorsteinn Thorsteinsson, Iceland
PHOTO: ANDREW REED WELLER Water is used to melt frozen mud and expose organic material during the Northern Alaska Landscape History Project in the remote reaches of the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska. 22 23 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS successful implementation of a Workshop on Studies of Tidewater Glaciers held aboard the Polish R/V Marine Working Group Horyzont II from August 26-31, 2012. Understanding of glacier calving processes are important for glacier Steering Group mass balance estimates and thus for global sea Bert Rudels, Chair, Finland level rise and for deglacierization of large areas in Rolf Gradinger, Vice Chair, USA the Arctic. Proper use of remote sensing data and Jinping Zhao, Vice Chair, China modeling of tidewater glaciers need in situ validation Savithri Narayanan, Past Chair, Canada and continuous monitoring of tidewater glaciers. Scope The purpose of the workshop was to train early Working Group Members career scientists in field and remote sensing studies Stefano Aliani, Italy The geographic scope of the Cryosphere Working ũũ Tidewater glacier dynamics and response to Leif Anderson, Sweden Group (CWG) is those areas of the Arctic and climate change, with a focus on methods for of tidewater glaciers. The workshop met its three Sheldon Bacon, UK contiguous areas of the sub-Arctic where one or more studying these issues. This activity is intended major goals: (a) to present recent results from studies Miquel Canals, Spain element of the cryosphere (including the Greenland to have a large early career scientist and training of Svalbard (and other) tidewater glaciers during Hein de Baar, The Netherlands ice sheet, mountain glaciers, ice caps, icebergs, component. scientific sessions; (b) to share experience, application Oleg Ditrich, Czech Republic sea ice, snow cover and snowfall, permafrost and of new techniques and obtained results directly in the Francisco Gordillo, Spain seasonally frozen ground, and lake- or river-ice) plays Activities field by visiting key tidewater glaciers in Spitsbergen; Steingrimur Jonsson, Iceland an important role in surface-climate interactions The CWG sponsored a workshop entitled Ice at the and (c) to discuss a potential international program of Sung-Ho Kang, Korea and/or the fresh water budget. It includes the Arctic Interface: Atmosphere-Ice-Ocean Boundary Layer coordinated field and remote sensing observations of Heidi Kassens, Germany Ocean and surrounding seas, Alaska, Canada’s Processes and Their Role in Polar Change in Boulder, calving glaciers in the Arctic. Michael Klages, Germany northern Territories, Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard and Colorado on 25-27 June 2012, which was additionally In November, the CWG again partnered with the K.P. Krishnan, India the Russian Arctic archipelagos, and parts of Canada, funded as an IASC cross-cutting initiative. International Permafrost Association (IPA) in support Gudrun Marteinsdottir, Iceland Scandinavia, and northern Russia that lie polewards The Ice Sheet Mass Balance and Sea Level (ISMASS) of the Global Terrestrial Network on Permafrost Naja Mikkelsen, Denmark of the southern limit of discontinuous permafrost. 2012 workshop was held in Portland, OR on 14 July (GTN-P). IPA hosted a meeting in Hamburg, Germany Morten Hotegaard Nielsen, Denmark The scientific scope of the Cryosphere Working 2012 focusing on the mass balance of ice-sheets and which was a follow-up to the joint IASC-SCAR-IPA Sergey Priamikov, Russia their contribution to sea level changes and was co- Group includes any scientific or engineering research GTN-P workshop held in November 2011 in Potsdam, Marit Reigstad, Norway sponsored by IASC, Scientific Committee on Antarctic relating to the Arctic and sub-Arctic cryosphere, Germany. The meeting served as a kick-off for the Harald Loeng, Norway Research (SCAR) and various partner organizations. (as of Feb. 2013: Randi Ingvaldsen, Norway) including its interactions with the climate, oceans, newly assigned Executive Committee of GTN-P Koji Shimada, Japan and biosphere. to initiate the next important steps to establish http://www.climate-cryosphere.org/en/events/ Kari Strand, Finland 2012/ISMASS/Home.html. a completely functional governing and working Mary Louise Timmermans, USA Scientific Priorities body of GTN-P. Additionally the workshop aimed In May 2012, the CWG supported the Vulnerability of Jan Marcin Weslawski, Poland During its inaugural meeting in Potsdam in January to: 1) develop a clear timeline of GTN-P activities Permafrost Carbon Workshop. (see TWG) Jeremy Wilkinson, UK 2011, the CWG decided to focus its efforts upon three and deliverables for the next two years; 2) reach a Hajime Yamaguchi, Japan major scientific priorities. The CWG is a partner to the AWG-led Multi-disciplinary final decision on the GTN-P data structure as well as drifting Observatory for the Study of the Arctic metadata format, to guarantee quick and consistent ũũ Sea-ice boundary layer dynamics, particularly as Scope Climate (MOSAiC) activity. MOSAiC held a workshop proceeding in data management work; and 3) plan they relate to biogeochemical exchanges and The geographic scope of the Marine Working Group for organizing and defining the scientific needs and to and organize a bigger workshop in spring 2013 in polar amplification. (MWG) is the Arctic Ocean and the Subarctic Seas. begin producing science and implementation plans in which the CWG and TWG will be highly involved. ũũ Permafrost, including support of activities being The scientific scope of the Marine Working Group Boulder, Colorado on 27-29 June 2012. undertaken by the International Permafrost http://www.iasc.info/index.php/home/groups/ includes, but is not limited to any marine natural Association. A major accomplishment of 2012 for the CWG was the working-groups/cryosphere science or engineering research.
PHOTO: JAKOB SIEVERS Sea-ice campaign in North East Greenland (Daneborg): A pool has been cut in the ice to investigate polynia-effects, such as frost-flowers, in detail. 24 25 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS Steering Group (SG) held two workshops to develop The MWG supported the creation of the Arctic System a science proposal and also hosted its fi rst science Climate Network (ACSNet) which grew out of the conference in Sopot, Poland. The fi rst workshop was integrated Arctic Ocean Observing System (iAOOS) held in Bremerhaven, Germany on 29 February project of AOSB/MWG. The ACSNet, established to 1 March at the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar in June 2011, aims through the coordination and and Marine Research (AWI). The main objective of networking of existing or emerging fi eldwork to the meeting was to design a focused collaboration implement an intensive cross-disciplinary study for a full expedition proposal for the German RV of the role of the polar seas in climate. In particular “Polarstern” in 2015 dedicated to “Transitions in the special reference is made to the Western Arctic as a Seasonal Sea Ice Zone (TRANSSIZ)” in the European site of demonstrable global importance and to the Arctic Ocean within the framework of ART. The draft research questions identifi ed as of key importance proposal suggested three legs focusing on ecological by the 2011 iAOOS plan of the MWG. The essential and biogeochemical studies on seasonal transitions aim of ACSNet is to devise a common space-time (winter-spring, fall-winter) in the Eurasian Arctic Ocean. framework for individual research projects arguing The main objectives were to complement summer for the combining of disparate eff orts to form an data sets and advance biological/biogeochemical intensive, international and multidisciplinary research process studies and modeling, calibrate algorithms eff ort initially with its focus on the Greater Canada used in remote sensing and proxies used to Basin and its marginal ice zone, later on a pan-Arctic interpret sea ice and ocean circulation changes in scale. The introductory meeting of ACSNet was the geologic past. The North-American members held during the International Polar Year (IPY) 2012 of the ART Executive Committee planned a Conference in Montréal, Quebec on 23 April 2012. complementary US-led expedition in the North- The meeting was attended by Arctic researchers Scientifi c Priorities ũ Understanding the circulation and physical American Arctic (Beaufort, Chukchi and towards the and program managers with interest in the ACSNet processes in the Arctic and sub-arctic seas deep Canada Basin). goal of fostering interdisciplinary and international The Arctic Ocean Sciences Board (AOSB) / MWG of collaborations in fi eld research in the Western Arctic in ũ Understanding sea ice structure dynamics and IASC has been active for the past 25 years. Therefore, The second ART meeting was held in Copenhagen, the coming years. A broad overview was given of the the Arctic system their priorities and activities are ongoing and well- Denmark and brought together the ART Executive potential participating fi eld programs, and an activity established. However, the membership expanded ũ Understanding biological and ecosystem Committee to fi nalize the TRANSSIZ proposal. This timeline for ACSNet was discussed. Approximately considerably when AOSB merged with IASC in 2009 processes in the Arctic and Sub-arctic seas meeting was co-sponsored by the Geological 20 fi eld programs spanning a range of observational and the meeting in Potsdam in January 2011 off ered ũ Understanding geochemical processes in the Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), Denmark, eff orts to understand the Arctic atmosphere, ice, the fi rst opportunity for the new and expanded Arctic and Sub-arctic seas University of Tromsø, Norway, AWI (Germany). ocean system were presented and discussed. The membership to meet. Since their terms of reference broad time line for ACSNet activities includes a main ũ Improving access to the geological record of the were already agreed upon, the group focused fi rst fi eld eff ort in 2014 - 2015 and a synthesis eff ort in Arctic Ocean The fi nal ART activity for 2012 was the very successful 2015 - 2016. and foremost on discussion and approval of its fi ve- 4-day science workshop co-sponsored by the year strategy (priority areas of research), secondly on MWG, IASC and Association of Polar Early Career its ongoing activities, and lastly on development of Activities Scientists (APECS). The workshop addressed the In 2011, ICES and IASC signed a Letter of Agreement to cross-cutting initiatives that could be undertaken The MWG was active in 2012 implementing existing challenge of integrating modeling and observations cooperate. In November 2012, International Council with other IASC WGs. activities and initiating new ones. in order to identify linkages and feedbacks between for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) held its annual atmosphere-ice-ocean forcings and biogeochemical Science Conference on September 17-21 in Bergen, The Scientifi c focus of the MWG is on predicting and The most important activity for the MWG in 2012 processes that are key to ecosystem function, land- Norway and MWG was invited to co-host two of understanding rapid changes to the Arctic Ocean was the further development of the Arctic in Rapid ocean interactions and to the productive capacity of the sessions, both dealing with the Arctic. The fi rst system and the priorities include: Transitions (ART) program. During 2012, the ART the Arctic Ocean. session, co-chaired by Dr. Loeng and Dr. Bogi Hansen,
PHOTO: IÑIGO GARCIA ZARANDONA Frozen harbor in Longyearbyen in late April, Spitsbergen (Svalbard).
26 27 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS focused on the Arctic and North Atlantic from a climate change perspective. The second session, co- Social and Human chaired by ICES/ The North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES)/ Ecosystem Studies of Sub- Sciences Working Arctic Seas (ESSAS) and MWG examined the influence of subarctic inflows on the physical conditions and Group biology in the Arctic basin and shelves, as well as the role of fluxes of water from the Arctic basin onto the Steering Group Peter Schweitzer, Chair, USA surrounding shallow shelves and into the subarctic. Sylvie Blangy, Vice Chair, France The MWG continues its participation in the Pacific Gail Fondahl, Vice Chair, Canada Arctic Group (PAG)-led Distributed Biological Louwrens Hacquebord, Past Chair, The Netherlands Observatory (DBO). Plans are underway to host a workshop in Seattle in February to discuss and Working Group Members explore international data-sharing issues. The DBO Michael Bravo, UK now has three years of field data which can make a Ludek Broz, Czech Republic valuable contribution to a better understanding of Ryszard Czarny, Poland how ecosystems are changing in the study areas. Lone Dirckinck-Holmfeld, Denmark Philippe Geslin, Switzerland Two new activities were planned. The MWG, Sven Haakanson, USA recognizing the need to better coordinate Joachim Habeck, Germany international data efforts formed a small sub- Alf Hakon Hoel, Norway group to investigate how the MWG might add to (as of Feb. 2013: Halvor Dannevig, Norway) the international dialogue on data access and Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv, Norway Development Report (AHDR). The geographic scope ũũ Human health and well-being accessibility issues. The sub-group planned to Dongmin Jin, Korea can be extended south where it is appropriate for an ũũ Security, international law and cooperation meet first by teleconference to define its objectives Joan Nymand Larsen, Iceland understanding of arctic social and human processes. and goals and met again prior to the Arctic Science D. Majumdar, India Crosscutting themes Summit Week (ASSW) 2013. Gisli Palsson, Iceland Based on the scientific foci, the following list of Arja Rautio, Finland Scientific Priorities A second activity relates to gas hydrates. This initiative cross-cutting issues was adopted. The list is based Peter Skold, Sweden The SHWG members agreed upon the following list starts with a Gas Hydrates workshop in the first on WG needs as well as on opportunities provided Hiroki Takakura, Japan of scientific foci. It is to be expected that this list will week of March 2013. The workshop focusses on the by the focus areas of other working groups. The list Long Wie, China be reviewed at least at every second WG meeting. If occurrence and stability of gas hydrates in the marine of cross-cutting issues is as dynamic as the list of needed, priorities can be adjusted between meetings Arctic realm – particularly seen in the perspective of scientific foci; its development and refinement will if a majority of WG members approve the change. a global warming scenario. The workshop gathers Scope depend on actual cross-working group interactions. specialists and research groups for a three-day The scientific scope of the Social und Human Sciences ũũ Indigenous peoples and change: adaptation and workshop and the overall goal of the workshop is to Working Group (SHWG) includes all aspects of social ũũ Human health, wellbeing and ecosystem change cultural and power dynamics formulate a draft of a Pan Arctic gas hydrate drilling sciences and humanities research in the Arctic, as well ũũ Collaborative community research on climate proposal. as their connections with other IASC WGs. The actual ũũ Exploitation of natural resources: past, present, change future work of the SHWG is determined by a dynamic list of ũũ Competing forms of resource use in a changing http://www.iasc.info/index.php/home/groups/ scientific focus areas. ũũ Histories and methodologies of arctic sciences environment working-groups/marineaosb and arts The geographic scope of the SHWG is the Arctic as ũũ People and coastal processes defined in the map accompanying the Arctic Human ũũ Perceptions and representations of the Arctic ũũ Perceptions and representations of arctic science
PHOTO: RANE WILLERSLEV The Chukchi Festival in Achaivayam, Kamchatka
28 29 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS Activities the ongoing work, including IASC and IASSA reports, with, other components of the Earth system. The At its annual meeting at the ASSW 2012, the SHWG was presented at the meeting of the Arctic Council Terrestrial remit encompasses the dynamics of the arctic system; discussed joint initiatives and interactions with SDWG in Reykjavik (Island) on September 17-19, 2012. Working Group past, present and future. representatives of the Arctic Council Sustainable A community-based workshop focused on local Geographically, the main area of interest of the IASC Development Working Group (SDWG), the ecosystem changes and adaptations is in preparation. TWG encompasses lands and fresh water within International Arctic Social Sciences Association Steering Group The SHWG will collaborate with the community the area north of the latitudinal treeline with arctic (IASSA) and the International Network for Circumpolar Terry Callaghan, Chair, Sweden and local industry in planning and conducting this climate and arctic vegetation. Several adjacent Health Research (INCHR). Benjamin Viñegla Pérez, Vice Chair, Spain workshop. areas are included where highly relevant for certain Warwick F. Vincent, Vice Chair, Canada The SHWG contributed to the workshop on disciplines and projects (a) boreal oceanic tundra (e.g. Torben Christensen, Vice Chair, Denmark “Responding to Arctic Environmental Change” The SHWG also supported a “CircumArctic Rangifer the Aleutian Islands, North Atlantic islands), (b) alpine which was organized by the International Study of Monitoring and Assessment (CARMA)” workshop tundra that is continuous with the arctic tundra Working Group Members Arctic Change (ISAC) on 30 January - 1 February in on the global status of migratory tundra Rangifer (e.g. the central highlands of Iceland, the Scandes Inger Greve Alsos, Norway Kingston (Canada). The workshop was held in the held in Vancouver (Canada) on 4-6 December 2012. Mountains, the Polar Urals), (c) the forest tundra, and Thierry Boulinier, France run-up to the IPY 2012 Montreal Conference “From The CARMA workshop is one of IASC´s cross-cutting (d) drainage basins to the south that connect with Stephen Coulson, Norway Knowledge to Action” and focused on translating activities. freshwater and marine areas of the Arctic. Josef Elster, Czech Republic scientific knowledge into a research agenda for A major 2012 activity of the SHWG was the workshop Mads Forchhammer, Denmark action. “Between Discourses and Modernities: Histories Piotr Glowacki, Poland Scientific Priorities At the IPY 2012 Montreal Conference, the SHWG and Methodologies of Arctic Social Sciences, Antero Järvinen, Finland ũũ Estimating past changes in arctic geo- and organized and supported a session on “Public Humanities and Arts” which was held in Umeå Ingibjorg Jonsdottir, Iceland biodiversity, measuring current change and Perception of Arctic Change” jointly with the (Sweden) on 13-14 December 2012. This workshop Ratan Kar, India predicting future changes Atmosphere WG. The session was chaired by Peter was in conjunction with the opening of an Arctic Yoo Kyung Lee, Korea ũũ Determining the net effect of the terrestrial Schweitzer and Jim Overland. Polar science faces Research Centre at Umeå University. The objective of Vanessa Lougheed, USA and freshwater environmental and biosphere’s a strange conundrum: while recent years (and this workshop was to highlight one of the prioritized Daniel Sanchez Mata, Spain processes that amplify or moderate climate the fourth IPY in particular) have brought massive research items of the SHWG and to identify the Takayuki Nakatsubo, Japan warming advances in understanding the polar systems, challenges and problems of the research field outside Jon Olafsson, Iceland popular understanding of these processes seems natural sciences and technology. With a self-reflexive Eva-Maria Pfeiffer, Germany ũũ Developing high spatial resolution models of to be diminishing. In light of tremendous changes approach, the intent was to address questions that Karsten Piepjohn, Germany terrestrial geosystems and ecosystem change, threatening the state of the system in the Arctic and are needed for an improved understanding of the Jelte Rozema, The Netherlands and other tools that can be used by arctic elsewhere, misperceptions and representations of position and direction of this research. Furthermore, Atsuko Sugimoto, Japan stakeholders for adaptation strategies and polar climate science become a matter of concern informal discussions were intended to build a firmer Manish Tiwari, India sustainable management of natural resources for society at large. Given the critical role media and foundation for future interdisciplinary, community- Donald A. Walker, USA and ecosystem services based collaboration, and international research politics play in that field, representatives from these Luo Wei, China ũũ Developing unifying concepts, fundamental collaborations. arenas were part of the session as well as academics. Philip Wookey, UK theories and computer models of the interactions The latter groups included climate scientists, Wiesław Ziaja, Poland among species, interactions between species http://www.iasc.info/index.php/home/groups/ historians of science, as well as social scientists trying and their environment, and the biology of life in to understand the current situation. working-groups/socialahuman Scope extreme environments The SHWG reconfirmed its commitment to support The scientific scope of the Terrestrial Working Group ũũ Determining the role of connectivity in the the “Arctic Human Development Report (AHDR (TWG) includes any scientific research on arctic functioning of arctic terrestrial systems, including II)” and earmarked funds for WG members to terrestrial and freshwater environments, landscapes connections within the arctic and the global participate in AHDR author meetings. An update of and biota, and their responses to, and interactions system
30 31 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS Crosscutting The purpose of the meeting of the leadership was were key aspects at the annual RCN meeting at AGU expertise, to draft the framework. On the basis of Understanding the major issues within the wide to review initial drafts of synthesis products and in December 2, 2012. the outcome, the group suggests the next steps in disciplinary and geographical scope of the TWG to identify remaining gaps for future cross-group designing a final framework. The TWG also supported a “CircumArctic Rangifer requires interaction with other WGs. The initial priority synthesis opportunities. Short presentations by Monitoring and Assessment (CARMA)” workshop International Arctic Vegetation Database activities developed by the TWG would benefit form working group leads/co-leads on current progress on the global status of migratory tundra Rangifer interactions with all the WGs. were followed by feedback and discussion with the Workshop during April 2013 in Krakow held in Vancouver (Canada) on 4-6 December, 2012. whole group. Remaining gaps were identified and (Poland): The CARMA workshop was one of IASC´s cross- a plan was developed to communicate these to the This workshop brings a few key members of the Activities cutting activities. broader science community, both within and outside international community of Arctic vegetation Jointly with the Cryosphere WG, the TWG supported of the network, in order to inform members and to Following its meeting in Montreal, the TWG agreed to scientists together for the First International Arctic the lead/co-lead meeting of the “Vulnerability get new scientists involved in synthesis activities. organize and support the following three workshops Vegetation Database Workshop. of Permafrost Carbon Research Coordination Following this workshop, leads/co-leads updated which were held early 2013: Network (RCN)” which took place in St. Pete Beach, working group scoping documents and initiated http://www.iasc.info/index.php/home/groups/ Florida (USA) on May 17-18, 2012 (www.biology.ufl. new synthesis activities/opportunities by engaging Global Change, Arctic Hydrology and Earth working-groups/terrestrial edu/permafrostcarbon/). additional RCN members. These new opportunities System Processes Workshop during October/ November 2013 in Sheffield (UK): The workshop will address the role of changing hydrology and active layer moisture regimes for ecosystems, biogeochemical and biophysical processes in the arctic terrestrial realm (including surface waters), which so far has been overlooked relative to the much clearer emphasis on climate warming as a key driver of change.
This scoping exercise will bring together a small group of experts in a two-stage workshop to review the current state of knowledge on arctic hydrological change, to identify research gaps, and to horizon- scan based on best available predictions of change in the arctic terrestrial realm.
Shaping Forces of Biodiversity in the Arctic Workshop during January 2013 in Reykjavik (Iceland): The aim of the initiative is to explore the feasibility of designing a coherent framework for addressing the shaping forces of biodiversity in the Arctic. Such a framework would contribute to an Arctic biodiversity coalition by building on existing Arctic biodiversity documentation and monitoring initiatives. The first step of the initiative is to bring together a few people, representing a broad organismal and theoretical
PHOTO: GIA DESTOUNI PHOTO: ANDREW REED WELLER Kangerlussuaq, Greenland: The Greenland Analogue Surface System Project (GRASP) research group in action, Northern Alaska Landscape History Project: camp on the Utokok river during a fieldtrip into the remote reaches sampling water from the active layer in the foreground. of the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska. 32 33 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS Cross-Cutting Activities Initiatives orkshop on Ice at the Interface: oint ART-APECS Science Workshop ircumArctic Rangifer Monitoring and W„Atmosphere-Ice-Ocean Boundary Layer J“Overcoming challenges of observation CAssessment (CARMA) Workshop, IASC Council, at its meeting at the Arctic Science Processes and Their Role in Polar Change“ to model integration in marine ecosystem Vancouver (Canada), 4-6 December 2012: Summit 2011, decided to allocate funds for cross- response to sea ice transitions”, cutting activities, that are supported by at least Boulder (USA), 25-27 June 2012 The CARMA workshop on the global status of three of the five IASC Working Groups. The objective The atmosphere-ocean boundary layer in which sea Sopot (Poland), 23-26 October: migratory tundra Rangifer included academics, of this WG-spanning program is to promote system- ice resides includes many complex processes that The 4-day science workshop was co-sponsored by the aboriginal representatives, co-management group scale activities within IASC and to encourage the require a more realistic treatment in Global Climate MWG, IASC and APECS. The workshop addressed the members, climate specialists and agency biologists WGs to explore activities, which should be of interest Models (GCMs), particularly as models move toward challenge of integrating modeling and observations and managers. The objectives of the meeting were to three or more of the WGs. Because the IASC WGs full earth system descriptions. The primary purpose in order to identify linkages and feedbacks between 1) to better assess the mechanisms behind the are set up along disciplinary lines, it is possible that of the workshop was to define and discuss such atmosphere-ice-ocean forcings and biogeochemical recent declines in Rangifer, 2) to share management their activities will be focused only on one or two coupled processes from observational and modeling processes that are key to ecosystem function, land- experiences over the last decade to deal with these disciplines. While this is to be expected, IASC wishes points of view, including insight from both the ocean interactions and to the productive capacity declines and 3) based on these discussions, to to promote cross-cutting themes and encourage Arctic and Antarctic systems. The workshop met of the Arctic Ocean. The workshop revolved around recommend monitoring indicators and management interaction between the working groups. each of its overarching goals, including fostering the “past-present-future“ axis of ART, meaning that actions that should be employed through future collaboration among experimentalists, theorists key themes will include geographic integration cycles of abundance of migratory tundra Rangifer. and modelers, proposing modeling strategies, and and comparative assessments of driving forces in The workshop is consistent with the scope and foci ascertaining data availability and needs. Several contrasting ecosystems, how to advance present of IASC´s SHWG and TWG, which both provided scientific themes emerged from the workshop, such day scenarios and projecting tools based on the additional support. as the importance of episodic or extreme event, knowledge of paleo-records, and the development of precipitation, stratification above and below the ice, ecosystem indicators and models. The major outcome http://iasc.info/home/groups/working-groups/ and the marginal ice zone, whose seasonal Arctic of the workshop is a suite of inter-disciplinary scientific cross-cutting migrations now traverse more territory than in the papers lead by early- and mid- career scientists with past. The workshop received additional support from the support of senior scientists. (see the detailed article the Cryosphere WG. under Chapter 8: CapacityBuilding)
PHOTO: AGATA WEYDMANN On the way to Hornsund during a scooter trip from Longyearbyen to the Polish Polar Station in Hornsund (Spitsbergen).
34 35 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS 2 IASC WORKING GROUPS PHOTO: DON PEROVICH Crew members of the US. Coast Guard Icebreaker Healy are surveying ice condition on a fl oe in the Chukchi Sea.
3. IASC Action Groups Membership Country of Residence Area of Expertise
Cynan Ellis-Evans - Chair UK Biology Francisco Navarro Spain Ice sheets Detlef Damaske Germany Geology Sung-Ho Kang Korea Marine Alexander Klepikov Russia Oceanography / Climate Thamban Meloth India Ice cores Gail A. Fondahl Canada Social Sciences » 3 IASC Action Groups Mark Parsons USA Data Angelika Renner Norway APECS Jenny Baeseman Norway CliC Director Volker Rachold (ex offi cio) Germany IASC Executive Secretary Mike Sparrow (ex offi cio) UK SCAR Executive Director
Polar Regions are critical areas of the Earth, infl uencing very many diff erences. Comparisons of the Polar ocean currents and regional weather patterns as well Regions or research involving both the Arctic and as hosting a unique biodiversity. Due to the eff ects of Antarctica is termed bipolar science. This off ers climate change, parts of these regions are now the unique opportunities to better understand what is focus of the most rapid environmental changes seen happening in these regions and how they impact anywhere on the planet and contributing to global on the rest of the world. This is particularly relevant issues such as sea-level rise and greenhouse gas in an Earth System Science context. The Executive emissions. IASC and SCAR therefore have signifi cant Committees of SCAR and IASC created a SCAR-IASC roles in organizing the vitally important science Bipolar Action Group (BipAG) that operated for two needed to understand what is happening in the years (2008-2010) followed by a second BipAG for Arctic and Antarctic and what it may mean for the 2011 to 2012. The existence of a BipAG ensures that rest of the world. there is a group looking at opportunities for bipolar science, with the purpose of providing annual reports Both Polar Regions are cold and remote and to the SCAR and IASC Executive Committees and share many common features (large ice sheets, recommending which bipolar activities should be extensive sea-ice in winter) but equally also show adopted by the organizations. The recommendations include not only science ideas but also opportunities for developing the next generation of polar scientists, IASC Action Groups (AGs) provide strategic advice to suggestions for more eff ective science coordination the Council and Working Groups (WGs) on both long- The Second SCAR- and data management and ideas for better term activities and urgent needs. They are dynamic communicating the importance of the Polar Regions groups that act within a limited timeframe of two IASC Bipolar Action for Planet Earth. The BipAG reports are available at years. http://www.iasc.info/index.php/home/groups/ Group (BipAG II) action-groups.
The Scientifi c Committee on Antarctic Research http://iasc.info/home/groups/action-groups/ (SCAR) and IASC are the major international scientifi c bipolar-action-group organizations with a focus on the Polar Regions. The
PHOTO: CARLOS FURTADO PHOTO: 2nd Meeting of the SCAR/IASC Bipolar Action Group on Science Cooperation (BipAG II) Brazilian veterinary Angela Pessanha is admiring a Southern Elephant Seal pup on Elephant Island at Antarctica. From left to right / top row: Jenny Baeseman, Mark Parsons, Francisco Navarro, Volker Rachold, Detlef Damaske, Cynan Ellis-Evans bottom row: Mike Sparrow, Thamban Meloth, Sung-Ho Kang, Gail A. Fondahl, Angelika Renner 38 39 3 IASC ACTION GROUPS 3 IASC ACTION GROUPS The Ice-Sheet Mass balance and sea level level changes can be improved, with an emphasis on (ISMASS) 2012 Workshop identifying the main shortcomings of the currently (A major activity initiated by BipAG II) available models and suggesting improvements for the next generation of ice-sheet models. The ISMASS 2012 Workshop was held on 14 July 2012 in Portland, Oregon, USA, under the auspices The workshop was organized as a series of invited of the XXXII SCAR and Open Science Conference. lectures on the above topics and closely related More than 60 participants from all five continents ones, followed by three round-tables (Ice-sheet mass attended the workshop, which was co-sponsored/ balance from remote sensing, and Glacial Isostatic supported by SCAR, IASC, the World Climate Adjustment (GIA); Modeling of ice-sheet dynamics; Research Program (WCRP) Climate and Cryosphere Contributions from thermal expansion of oceans, (CliC) Project, the International Council of Scientific and impacts of sea level rise (SLR)), and ended with Unions (ICSU), the International Glaciological Society an open discussion on organizational aspects of the (IGS), the International Association of Cryospheric ISMASS expert group. Sciences (IACS) and the Association of Polar Early A review paper and a report are being prepared Career Scientists (APECS). A substantial ICSU grant, that will include the main scientific outcomes of the complemented by contributions from the other workshop. A summary of the main outcomes, the sponsors, allowed funding the participation of many invited lecture abstracts and videos of the entire young researchers and eight invited lecturers. The sessions can be found at the workshop website: latter were Erik Ivins (JPL, Caltech, USA), Ben Smith (Univ. Washington, USA), Pippa Whitehouse (Durham http://www.climate-cryosphere.org/en/events/ Univ., UK), Jay Zwally (NASA, USA), Catherine Ritz 2012/ISMASS/Results.html (LGGE, Grenoble, France), Slawek Tulaczyk (Univ.
California Santa Cruz, USA), Catia Domingues (ACE Among the outcomes, it became apparent that CRC, AU) and Robert Nicholls (Univ. Southampton, recent efforts and inter-comparison experiments UK). and ocean. However, there is still much room for Observing Network (SERCE/POLENET), Antarctic have led to an improved convergence of the improvement, especially regarding linking together Climate Change in the 21st Century (AntClim21), The workshop was organized by the ISMASS Interim estimates of ice-sheet mass balance determined all the model components in a 3D prognostic fashion. Past Antarctic Ice Sheet Dynamics (PAIS), ...). It was Steering Committee, formed of Francisco Navarro using the three satellite geodetic techniques of also agreed, after some debate, that it is not the (appointed by IASC), Frank Pattyn (appointed by altimetry, interferometry, and gravimetry, though Among the organizational aspects, it was agreed role of ISMASS to generate updates of cryospheric SCAR) and Edward Hanna (appointed by WCRP). some discrepancies still remain. A consensus was that ISMASS should continue to focus on ice-sheets contributions to SLR in between successive IPCC reached that new post-glacial rebound (PGR) and, rather than including glaciers and ice caps in reports. Other subjects of discussion were the Among the main objectives of the workshop were: models tested and evaluated against geodetic its focus of interest, strengthen the co-operation interest of extending the ISMASS expert group to GPS data, lead to significant downwards revision in with the existing groups dealing with them (IACS, the assessment of the current knowledge of the World Climate Research Program (WCRP), the PGR and Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Global Land Ice Measurements from Space (GLIMS), 1)the contribution of the Antarctic and Greenland need to redefine the terms of reference of ISMASS (GRACE) gravimetric satellite estimates of mass loss. …). Similarly, rather than creating focus groups Ice Sheets to global and regional sea-level rise and the need to appoint a new Steering Committee Furthermore, since the 2007 Intergovernmental under ISMASS, it was preferred to strengthen the (SLR), with a focus on quantifying the uncertainties, and Chair, a process that is now underway. Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report, ice sheet co-operation with, and to serve as a liaison among, and on understanding and resolving the current models have been improved beyond the commonly the many already existing groups/programs (Ice discrepancies among the estimates from different Contact information: used Shallow-Ice Approximation. An advance in Sheet Mass Balance Inter-comparison Exercise observational and modeling methods; Francisco Navarro (appointed by IASC) the numerical schemes has been accompanied by (IMBIE), IACS, GLIMS, Forum for Research into Ice the analysis of how model-based predictions improved model representation of the complex Shelf Processes (FRISP), Solid Earth Response and ISMASS Interim Steering Committee 2)of ice-sheet discharge contributions to sea- interactions of the ice-sheet with its bed, atmosphere influence on Cryosphere Evolution / Polar Earth Email: [email protected]
PHOTO: ANDREAS PETER AHLSTROM, Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) PROMICE station on the Greenland Ice Sheet near Scoresbysund, East Greenland
40 41 3 IASC ACTION GROUPS 3 IASC ACTION GROUPS Action Group on Geosciences Data Policy Action Group
Membership Country of Residence Area of Expertise Membership Country of Residence A ffi l i a t ion
Carlo Barbante -Chair Italy Geogeochemisty, Paleoclimate Mark Parsons- Chair USA National Snow and Ice Data Center Benoit Beauchamp Canada Sedimentology Hironori Yabuki Japan Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology Bernie Coakley USA Marine Geology Arkady Tishkov Russia Institute of Geography, Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Grigoriev Russia Geocryology/Geomorphology/Permafrost Peter Pulsifer Canada National Snow and Ice Data Center Naja Mikkelsen Denmark Marine Geology Robert Huber Germany PANGAEA Data Publisher for Earth & Environmental Science Victoria Pease Sweden Tectonic Evolution Volker Rachold Germany IASC Karsten Piepjohn Germany Hardrock Geology Volker Rachold - Secretary Germany Permafrost
The fi ve Working Groups (WG) Terrestrial, Cryosphere, AGG will particularly address emerging research IASC has strongly supported the International Polar decided to from a small advisory group of external Marine, Atmosphere and Social & Human are IASC´s questions in the fi eld of: (i) Arctic solid-earth Year (IPY) Data Policy, with its emphasis on ensuring experts and interested Council members that would scientifi c core elements. The overall responsibilities geoscience, including Arctic tectonic evolution and security, accessibility and free exchange of relevant develop and recommend a data policy, including of these WGs are to identify and formulate scientifi c the exploration of the ridge systems; (ii) sedimentary data that both support current research and leave steps toward implementation of the policy that would content and foci, act as scientifi c advisory boards to the records and climatic and environmental history lasting legacy. The IPY policy provided initial guidance provide guidance for IASC supported activities. IASC Council and to assist IASC in the implementation obtained from marine and lake sediments, ice for achieving this objective, but post-IPY there is still a The IASC Data Policy Group will be chaired by Mark of its science mission. The WGs are designed to cover cores and permafrost deposits (iii) geologic and need to continue supporting, creating and sustaining Parsons (US National Snow and Ice Data Center), the full breadth of Arctic research, but two years after geochemical processes especially related to the Arctic data management resources. who previously served as a co-chair of the IPY Data their formation it became apparent that geological stability of permafrost and of gas hydrate deposits Although IASC has been involved in several data Subcommittee. research is underrepresented in the current WG known to underlie the continental slopes of the Arctic management activities, for example Sustaining Arctic structure. To address this issue, IASC Council agreed Ocean Basin; (iv) seismic risk of the Arctic regions. http://iasc.info/home/groups/action-groups/ Observing Systems (SAON) and the Polar Information to form an Action Group on Geosciences (AGG) with data-policy-action-group The AGG is chaired by Carlo Barbante (University of Commons (PIC), IASC has not yet considered a the terms of reference to provide strategic advice Venice, Italy) and reports to IASC Council on emerging formal data policy. Such a policy would establish a to the IASC Council and WGs on both long-term fi elds in Arctic geosciences, in order to better address, commitment to best practice in relation to repository opportunities and priorities in the fi eld of Geoscience coordinate and prioritize the research eff orts at management and related aspects of Arctic data research in a broader sense. Since geosciences national and international level. systems. embrace a wide variety of scientifi c disciplines, emphasis is given to the overarching aspects of http://iasc.info/home/groups/action-groups/ To reinforce IASC’s commitment to robust data research. action-group-on-geosciences management and sharing activities, IASC Council
Photo: IASC Action Group on Geosciences Meeting, Feb. 2013, Potsdam. Photo: IASC Data Policy Group Meeting, Potsdam From left to right: Carlo Barbante, Karsten Piepjohn, Victoria Pease, Mikhail Grigoriev, Naja Mikkelsen, Volker Rachold From left to right: Peter Pulsifer, Mark Parsons, Volker Rachold, Arkady Tishkov and Robert Huber
42 43 3 IASC ACTION GROUPS 3 IASC ACTION GROUPS PHOTO: CHRISTIAN LETTNER A „hydrophobic“ moss on Zackenberg mountain, Northeast Greenland.
4. IASC Networks » 4 IASC Networks
IASC Networks are IASC-endorsed, thematic groups climate events such as interglacials to full glacials and onshore investigations from glacial geomorphology exploitation of multibeam, high-resolution seismic with a specific scientific mission enhanced by affi- full glacial to deglacial states, as well as more recent and cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure dating data and sediment cores from two research cruises liation with IASC. IASC Networks are international, Holocene fluctuations. There are three major themes and offshore investigations using marine geology that took place on board the R.V. Hespérides in 2007 address specific scientific issues on a circum-arctic to the program: (1) Growth and decay of Arctic Ice and geophysics have sought to untangle climatic and R.V. OGS Explora in 2008 on the Storfjorden scale and strive to involve early career scientists. IASC Sheets; (2) Arctic sea-ice and ocean changes, and (3) versus non-climatic influences on the ongoing erratic Trough and Trough Mouth Fan, off south Svalbard. Networks do not have an annual budget from IASC, Non-glaciated Arctic environments and permafrost. behavior of the Greenland Ice Sheet. These include Results provided a detailed Quaternary history but they are entitled to apply for IASC workshop and It is interdisciplinary in nature and seeks to bring scientists from the USA (Universities of Buffalo and of the area and highlighted spatial and temporal early career scientist funding. Networks may be crea- together field scientists and numerical modelers to Colorado), Denmark (Denmark and Greenland variability in ice stream dynamics of the Western ted by IASC or may apply for affiliation with IASC. Once advance understanding about Arctic climate change. Geological Survey) and the UK (Durham University; Barents Sea. For 2013 there is a cruise planned with accepted as IASC networks, they carry the IASC logo. The network involves scientists from across Europe, University of Cambridge). Recent discoveries include the R.V. Hespérides to complement further aspects Russia, Canada and the USA, and is lead by a Steering identifying the rapid response of Jakobshavn Isbræ to of previous cruises in the same area as well as to Committee of members from participating countries. very brief (decades-long) cold-snaps that punctuated understand gas emissions from subseafloor sediments Palaeo-Arctic PAST Gateways follows on from the previous network otherwise warming climate around 8000 and 9000 into the ocean and atmosphere. The Institute of Marine program of ‚PONAM‘ (Polar North Atlantic Margins), years ago; determining the maximum extent of Sciences of the Spanish National Research Council ‚QUEEN‘ (Quaternary Environment of the Eurasian Spatial and Temporal Jakobshavn Isbræ and Uummannaq ice stream at (CSIC) is also involved together with the Centre for North) and, most recently, ‚APEX‘ (Arctic Palaeoclimate the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and the timing Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM, Germany), and its Extremes). Each year it will bring together Gateways (PAST and dynamics of their subsequent retreat; marine National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental scientists in a multidisciplinary International Meeting geological studies of the response of SE Greenland Geophysics (OGS, Italy), University of Tromsø (Norway) to discuss recent research and improvements in the Gateways) outlet glaciers to climate variability in the last century; and the Geological Survey of Denmark is organizing a understanding of Arctic environmental change. The geochemical and sedimentological studies of west cruise with the R/V Maria S. Merian to use the MeBo first meeting takes place in St. Petersburg, Russia, in seafloor drill rig to obtain 80 m long sediment cores ‚PAST Gateways‘ is a network research program which Greenland trough mouth fans; and Late Holocene spring 2013. from the Western Barents Sea to understand the started in 2012. The scientific goal of the program is relative sea level history of SW and west Greenland glaciation history of the area. Researchers from Sweden to understand Arctic environmental change during using isolation basin and salt marsh stratigraphies. the period preceding instrumental records and across Some recent highlights related to research carried (Lund University) and Norway (Norwegian University decadal to millennial timescales. The focus of the six- out by participants in the program include advances During 2011-2012 there was a significant cooperation of Life Sciences) have continued terrestrially based, year program is on the nature and significance of Arctic in understanding the history of Greenland Ice Sheet between Spanish, Italian and Norwegian researchers glacial geological research and Optically-Stimulated gateways, both spatial and temporal, with an emphasis outlet glaciers from the Last Glacial Maximum to working on the glacial history of the Svalbard margin Luminescence (OSL)/comosgenic nuclide surface on the transitions between major Late Cenozoic Holocene. In particular, in SE and West Greenland, and western Barents Sea. The research involved exposure dating to reconstruct Svalbard glacial history.
PHOTO: JASON BRINER Greenland Ice Sheet margin on Nuussuaq Peninsula, western Greenland
46 47 4 IASC NETWORKS 4 IASC NETWORKS Publications ũũ Early Career Researchers. Though PAN already Alexanderson H & Murray AS. 2012: Luminescence signals from Ó Cofaigh, C., Dowdeswell, J.A., Jennings, A.E., Hogan, K., Kilfeather, Polar Archeology includes a number of early career researchers, A., Hiemstra, J.F., Noormets, R., Evans, J., McCarthy, D.J., Andrews, modern sediments in a glaciated bay, NW Svalbard. Quaternary we will seek to broaden their involvement and Geochronology 10, 250-256. J.T., Lloyd, J.M. and Moros, M. (in press). An extensive and dynamic ice sheet on the West Greenland shelf during the last glacial cycle. Network (PAN) incorporate them in a more formal way into the Andresen CS, Straneo F, Ribergaard MH, Bjørk AA, Andersen TJ, Geology. executive and planning process. Kuijpers A, Norgaard-Pedersen N, Kjær KH, Schjøth F, Weckström & Ahlstrøm AP. 2012: Rapid response of Helheim Glacier in Greenland to Ó Cofaigh, C., Andrews, J.T., Jennings, A.E., Dowdeswell, J.A., The Polar Archaeology Network (PAN) is an ũũ Working Groups. Currently, PAN has two climate variability over the past century. Nature Geoscience 5, 37-41. Kilfeather, A.A., Hogan, K. and Sheldon, C. (in press). Glacimarine lithofacies, provenance, and depositional processes on a West international group dedicated to issues impacting working groups: “Global Climate Change Applegate PJ, Kirchner N, Stone EJ, Keller K & Greve R. 2012: Greenland trough-mouth fan. Journal of Quaternary Science. archaeology in the Arctic, Subarctic, and Subantarctic. and the Polar Archaeological Record” and Preliminary assessment of model parametric uncertainty in Rebesco M, Pedrosa MT, Camerlenghi A, Lucchi RG, Sauli C, De Mol B, Its main goals are 1) the protection of cultural “Operational Methodology Development Group: projections of Greenland Ice Sheet behavior. The Cryosphere 6, Madrussani G, Urgeles R, Rossi G & Bohm W. 2012: One million years 589-606. heritage; 2) the promotion and support of research, Predictive Modeling and Threat Assessment of climatic generated landslide events on the southern Storfjorden particularly through the expansion of international Matrices”. However, we envision the activities Fritz M, Wetterich S, Schirrmeister L, Meyer H, Lantuit H, Preusser F & Trough Mouth Fan (western Barents Sea). In: Yamada Y, Kawamura networks and cooperation; 3) the meaningful of formal working groups as a primary means Pollard W. 2012: Eastern Beringia and beyond: Late Wisconsinan and K, Ikehara K, Ogawa Y, Urgeles R, Mosher D, Chaytor J & Strasser Holocene landscape dynamics along the Yukon Coastal Plain, Canada. M. (Eds.) Submarine Mass Movement and Their Consequences, integration of archaeology with communities; and 4) through which PAN goals are met. Thus, we Advances in Natural and Technological Hazards Research, 31, Palaeogeography Palaeoclimatology Palaeoecology 319-20: 28-45. the dissemination of research results in both scholarly will encourage the creation of new working Springer, Dordrecht (The Netherlands), 747-756, Jakobsson M, Anderson JB, Nitsche FO, Gyllencreutz R, Kirshner A, and popular forums. groups, potentially relating to issues such as Young N, Briner JP, Rood D & Finkel R. 2012: Glacier extent during Kirchner N, O‘Regan M, Mohammad R Eriksson B. 2012: Ice Sheet “Archaeological Education and Public Outreach”, the Younger Dryas and 8.2 ka event on Baffin Island, Arctic Canada. Dynamics Inferred from Glacial Morphology of the Central Pine Island This past year was a transitional period for PAN. Science 337, 1330-1333. and “Meaningful Community Involvement in the Bay Trough, West Antarctica.Quaternary Science Reviews 38, 1-10. The initial steering committee, in place since Planning, Operation, and Interpretation of Polar Lucchi RG, Pedrosa MT, Camerlenghi A, Urgeles R, De Mol B & Contact Information: PAN’s founding in 2008, finished their term and a Archaeology”. Rebesco M. 2012: Recent submarine landslides on the continental Chairman new slate was elected in March of 2012. The initial slope of Storfjorden and Kveithola Trough-Mouth Fans (north west ũũ Maintaining the Pace of Research beyond the Colm O’Cofaigh (Durham University, UK) steering committee leadership, consisting of Hans Barents Sea). In: Yamada Y, et al. (Eds.): Submarine Mass Movements International Polar Year (IPY). The IPY saw a and Their Consequences, Advances in Natural and Technological E-mail: [email protected] Peter Blankholm (Norway, chair), Maribeth Murray spike in the volume of archaeological research, Hazards Research, Springer Science book series 31: 735-745. http://www.geol.lu.se/pastgateways/ (USA, deputy chair), and Bjarne Grønnow (Denmark, with an expansion of fieldwork and networking secretary), was very successful in establishing a activities. However, this has been followed in working structure, building membership, establishing many cases by a return to patchy and small- working groups, and engaging in many other scale funding and more local levels of planning activities. Their tenure was capped off by a highly and interaction in Polar archaeology. We will successful workshop in February of 2011 focused work to identify strategies to ensure that Polar on the dominant issue in Polar archaeology today: archaeology is maintained and strengthened, climate change impacts on the archaeological record. despite the difficulties inherent in fostering The first formal activity of 2012 was a joint presentation interaction within the relatively small and by the past and present executive at the International scattered group of existing Polar researchers. Polar Year Conference 2012 in Montreal. The paper, ũũ Workshop on Climate Change Impacts. Because entitled “Ancient and Urgent: Climate Change Impacts of its centrality to PAN’s mission, we will organize on the Arctic Archaeological Record” was intended to and seek funding for a follow-up to the successful emphasize the severity of potential destruction of 2011 workshop on climate change impacts on the archaeological sites in a forum that attracted policy Polar archaeological record. makers and the media. ũũ Organizational Workshop. The PAN constitution The new PAN steering committee has begun to map calls for a planning workshop to be held after out activities for the next 2-3 years, including the its first years of existence, to evaluate the following initiatives: network and discuss PAN’s future organization
PHOTO: COLM O’COFAIGH Coring seafloor sediments in Disko Bay, West Greenland during cruise JR175 of the RRS James Clark Ross.
48 49 4 IASC NETWORKS 4 IASC NETWORKS network was held in Zieleniec, Poland, and organized by Network on Arctic Krzysztof Miga_a. The meeting attracted 57 participants from 19 countries and spanned three days in which 25 Glaciology (NAG) presentations were given and 20 posters presented. The meeting provided ample time for discussion of both the presentations and the future focus areas of the group. The Network on Arctic Glaciology (NAG) is a group The attendees found it a very productive meeting. IASC of scientists with interests in the dynamics and mass provided support for the attendance of early career budget of Arctic glaciers and their response to climate scientists at the meeting. The 2013 meeting was held change. The network organizes the annual workshop in February in Obergurgl, Austria. on the dynamics and mass budget of Arctic glaciers that includes the annual network meeting. It is Progress furthermore involved in the organization of summer An important problem identified by the IPCC and schools and workshops, such as the “Field workshop addressed by the NAG has been to quantify the on the study of tidewater glaciers“ that was held on calving flux from marine-terminating glaciers in the r/v „Horizont II“ in the fjords of Svalbard from order to improve the estimate of the contribution of 26-31 August, 2012. glaciers and ice caps worldwide to sea-level change. NAG members have played a prominent role in This has resulted in collaborative fieldwork, and the recent international Arctic initiatives such as in writing collaborative development and deployment of the chapter on Mountain Glaciers and Ice Caps in equipment, e.g. the new radar system developed the report on Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in by network members from Russia and Spain and and activities. This workshop may be held in Contact Information: the Arctic (SWIPA) that was commissioned by the deployed on Svalbard involving network members conjunction with the climate change workshop Arctic Council and was published in April 2012. NAG from Norway, the United Kingdom, Poland, Denmark, Chairman mentioned above. also initiated the International Polar Year program, Russia, Spain, Finland, Iceland and Sweden. Max Friesen Glaciodyn, and several field experiments initiated for ũũ Promotion of PAN Objectives in the Broader Department of Anthropology In recent years, more emphasis has been put on Glaciodyn continue today and form the basis for new Sphere. Perhaps most broadly, PAN will continue University of Toronto educating young scientists, resulting in more international projects such as the Nordic Top-Level to attempt to place heritage resources on the [email protected] budget becoming available for support of early Research Initiative SVALI (Stability and Variations of agenda at higher political and policy-making career scientists. In combination with the interest in Arctic Land Ice). NAG members are also at the core of levels. Polar archaeologists understand that they Deputy Chairwoman calving of marine terminating glaciers, NAG members GICAC (Glaciers and Ice Caps Assessment Consortium), live in a world of often competing priorities, Maribeth Murray organized the Field Workshop on Studies of Tidewater an ad hoc group convened to undertake research in including critical social, environmental, and Department of Anthropology Glaciers, held on the r/v „Horizont II“ in the fjords of support of the lead authors for the Cryosphere and infrastructure needs. However, we seek University of Alaska-Fairbanks Svalbard from 26-31 August, 2012. Sea Level chapters of the 5th Intergovernmental Panel to insert heritage resources into relevant [email protected] on Climate Change (IPCC) Assessment Report. The idea to organize a workshop on Arctic tidewater conversations, given their irreplaceable nature Secretary (contact for membership information) glaciers on Svalbard was proposed during a CWG and the documented destruction of the Polar Ulla Odgaard Support for the NAG related activities comes Meeting and developed further by the special session archaeological record. SILA - Arctic Centre at the Ethnographic Collections from, among others, IASC directly and through its on tidewater glaciers research in the Arctic during National Museum of Denmark Cryosphere Working Group (CWG). the annual network meeting in Zieleniec, Poland [email protected] (2012). The purpose of the workshop was to combine NAG Meetings presentations on recent advancements in studies of http://uit.no/publikum/prosjekter/prosjekt The 2012 workshop on the Dynamics and Mass Budget tidewater glaciers in the Arctic and elsewhere with ?p_document_id=270892 of Arctic Glaciers including the annual meeting of the discussions on the application of different field and
PHOTO: M. FRIESEN Inuit elders and archaeologists discuss a Thule Inuit winter dwelling on Victoria Island, Nunavut, dating to about 1400 AD.
50 51 4 IASC NETWORKS 4 IASC NETWORKS Publications Books of extended abstracts from the Annual NAG meetings have been produced for each year from 2006 to 2010. PDF versions of these reports can be downloaded from: www.iasc-nag.org. Hard copies of books published prior to 2008 are available on request from the secretariat of the Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU): [email protected]. The books of extended abstracts published from the 2009 workshop is available from the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS, [email protected]).
Contact Information:
Chairwoman | 2012–present Carleen Tijm-Reijmer Dept. of Physics and Astronomy remote sensing methods directly on or close to such sessions at the University Center in Svalbard (UNIS) in Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research glaciers. Demonstration of field techniques and Longyearbyen and field sessions in Hornsund the Circum-Arctic Utrecht University training in use of them was a significant element of number of participants reached 30. The workshop Utrecht, The Netherlands the meeting. There were 24 participants comprising of was finished by a panel discussion on the most crucial Lithosphere Evolution Phone: +31 30 253 3167 10 senior scientists and 14 early career scientists from directions of further studies of tidewater glaciers in E-mail: [email protected] 8 countries. The number of participants was limited the Arctic and suggested rudiments of collaborative (CALE)
due to the capacity of the ship r/v „Horizont II“. During international programs. Vice-Chairman | 2008-present The CALE scientific network on Circum-Arctic Members of the Steering Committee – National Contact Points per 2012 Martin Sharp Lithosphere Evolution is a multinational and multi- Dept. of Earth & Atmospheric Sciences disciplinary research program investigating important
Michael Kuhn [email protected] Austria 1-26 Earth Sciences Building questions associated with understanding circum-Arctic Martin Sharp [email protected] Canada University of Alberta, Edmonton lithosphere evolution. The CALE project officially Li Yuansheng [email protected] China Alberta, Canada launched in 2011 and runs through 2015. It includes Andreas Ahlstrøm [email protected] Denmark T6G 2E3 scientists from 11 different countries. For more information John C. Moore [email protected] Finland Phone: (780) 492-5249 please visit the website: www.CALE.geo.su.se Catherine Ritz [email protected] France E-mail: [email protected] Heinz Miller [email protected] Germany CALE held its second International Workshop in Helgi Björnsson [email protected] Iceland late April 2012 in Vienna, Austria, in conjunction Kumiko Goto-Azuma [email protected] Japan http://www.iasc-nag.org/ with the International conference of the European Carleen Tijm-Reijmer [email protected] The Netherlands Jon Ove Hagen [email protected] Norway Geosciences Union (EGU). The CALE workshop is an Jacek Jania [email protected] Poland annual full-day event in which team leaders, team Andrey F. Glazovskiy [email protected] Russia members and industry sponsors meet to exchange Francisco Navarro [email protected] Spain scientific developments, to consolidate and integrate Per Holmlund [email protected] Sweden scientific results, and to discuss scientific progress and Heinz Blatter [email protected] Switzerland technological developments. The workshop is also a Julian A. Dowdeswell [email protected] UK forum for building stronger connections between Matt Nolan [email protected] USA
PHOTO: BEATA LASKOWSKA PHOTO: VICTORIA PEASE NAG workshop participants in front of Hansbreen, Svalbard. CALE team members performing geological fieldwork in the Russian Arctic.
52 53 4 IASC NETWORKS 4 IASC NETWORKS -3000 -2500 -2000 -1500 -1000 -600 -400 -300 -250 -200 -200 -150 -100 -50 -20 -0 m
All CALE Teams performed field and laboratory has since joined the ACSNet coordinating committee, work in 2012. Land-based work for both geologists Arctic Climate and will provide valuable contributions from the and geophysicists was performed in Arctic Russia perspective of an early-career scientist. and Arctic Canada. Marine geophysics was also System Network One immediate action item for ACSNet is to update performed in the Beaufort, Chukchi and Barents its web presence. This involves a reworking of the Seas. Older seismic data from the Laptev Sea is being (ACSnet) old website to make it more user-friendly and to reprocessed. The introductory meeting of ACSNet was held during include a consolidation of projects and investigators. First-stage sponsorship for the CALE network came the IPY 2012 Conference in Montreal, Quebec on The UK Arctic Office has kindly offered to provide from IASC and the International Lithosphere Program 23 April 2012. The meeting was attended by Arctic support for development of the ACSNet site, and the (ILP). Second-stage support is from ExxonMobil researchers and program managers with interest in ACSNet coordinating committee is working with Dr. (ESSO), BP International, and StatOil. CALE is now in its the ACSNet goal of fostering interdisciplinary and Cynan Ellis-Evans (head of the National Environment scientists and sponsors. The team leaders use this third-stage of funding, which is intended for ‘targeted international collaborations in field research in the Research Council (NERC) Arctic Office, British Antarctic opportunity to assess the state of existing scientific science’ and includes support from Chevron from Western Arctic in the coming years. A broad overview Survey) to this end. deliverables and to integrate/define deliverables for 2012. With this funding, CALE’s Teams submit science was given of the potential participating field the coming year. A major deliverable for CALE in proposals to CALE’s Scientific Steering Committee, programs, and an activity timeline for ACSNet was Contact Information: 2012 was the presentation of regional 2D transects who prioritizes the proposals based on overall cost, discussed. Approximately 20 field programs spanning Chairwoman: (Fig. 1) along which the integration of geology and potential scientific impact, relevance to the program, a range of observational efforts to understand the Mary-Louise Timmermans geophysics would be made in preparation for the 3D and ability to achieve a result within the duration of Arctic atmosphere, ice, ocean system were presented Dept. Geology and Geophysics synthesis expected at the project’s end. the CALE program. In 2012, a one-year post-doc was and discussed. The broad time line for ACSNet Yale University KGL One of the challenges for CALE is the integration of awarded to a young researcher for advancement of activities includes a main field effort in 2014 - 2015 E-mail: [email protected] results across team boundaries. Cross-team fertilization knowledge on Arctic magmatism, a topic which is and a synthesis effort in 2015 - 2016. We anticipate was highlighted at the workshop with the identification shared between the North Greenland/Ellesmere and planning workshops and meetings before the main Deputy Chairs: of expertise needed in all teams and across team Bering Strait Teams. field phase. Pedro Elosegui boundaries. Numerical modeling and the Geographical In 2013, there will be a second ‘targeted science’ award ACSNet funds were used for three early-career Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) Information System (GIS) were identified as natural in the CALE network, in addition to the third annual scientists (Sylvia Cole, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute for Space Sciences (ICE) bridges for CALE teams and funding within the project CALE Workshop in December 2013 in association Institution (WHOI), Shelley Knuth, University of and Marine Technology Unit (UTM), Barcelona, Spain has been ear-marked especially to address these with the American Geophysical Union’s international Colorado (CU-Boulder) and Alice Orlich, University subjects. The ultimate goal, of course, is to combine E-mail: [email protected] conference in San Francisco, California, USA. There will of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF)) to attend and present team results into an integrated whole. Circum-Arctic be a session proposal on Arctic Lithosphere by CALE their research at the IPY 2012 Conference, and to Jeremy Wilkinson outcomes from these efforts are expected towards the at the American Geophysical Union (AGU) to profile participate in the ACSNet introductory meeting. Each Sea Ice Group end of the project (near 2014-2015). the program’s scientific achievements and promote a expressed that they benefited by being exposed to Scottish Marine Institute CALE special publication with the Geological Society Six of the seven CALE Teams held regional meetings new Arctic observing technologies, novel research E-mail: [email protected] during 2012. There was a ‘super-group’ meeting at (of London). approaches, and interactions with scientists and Stockholm University, Sweden, in February 2012 early-career colleagues from around the world. They Contact Information: John Cassano which combined the three Barents Sea and Kara further noted that it was particularly helpful for them Chairwoman: Cooperative Institute for Research in Sea teams. In May 2012 the Canadian Arctic and to engage in an open discussion on future Arctic Victoria Pease Environmental Sciences North Greenland teams met in Calgary, Canada, in fieldwork and gain exposure to a wide range of Dept. Geology and Geochemistry University of Colorado at Boulder association with the annual meeting of the Canadian research taking place in the Arctic. Shelley Knuth (The Stockholm University E-mail: [email protected] Society of Petroleum Geology. The Bering Strait team Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental E-mail: [email protected] met at Stanford University, USA, and the Laptev Team Sciences and the Department of Atmospheric and met in Germany, both towards the end of 2012. www.cale.geo.su.se Oceanic Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder) www.iasc-acsnet.org
FIGURE: CALE transects - 2012 and beyond: A map of the circum-Arctic in the Eocene (c. 55 million years ago) showing the CALE teams and the 2D transects.
54 55 4 IASC NETWORKS 4 IASC NETWORKS and the completion of the State of the Arctic Coast dynamics at different spatial scales, from the local biophysical and socio-ecological realms. The coast Arctic Coastal Report (Forbes et al., 2011), which had its inception at to regional to synoptic, to determine what factors is the interface between the terrestrial and marine a joint ACD-IASC-LOICZ workshop in Tromso, Norway control coastal response to change at each scale realms, supports a rich biodiversity, and provides Dynamics (ACD) in 2007. The State of the Arctic Report was jointly and to collect the data required to assess the current habitat, transportation and cultural resources for sponsored by IASC, LOICZ, the Arctic Monitoring trajectory of change. For example, the ecosystem humans. Interfaces between ecotones are most and Assessment Program (AMAP) and the IPA and services provided within the High Arctic’s rocky conducive to foster diversity but react sensitively The Arctic Coastal Dynamics (ACD) project was submitted to the Arctic Council. It is a review of coastal zone differ greatly from those in a continental to environmental change. Most Arctic residents originally conceived by the late Steve Solomon, for the state of the art understanding of both physical and unconsolidated coastline setting affected by live on the coast and many derive their livelihood whom a memorial appeared in the IASC Bulletin 2012, processes in the arctic coastal zone as well as socio- ice-rich permafrost. The effects of disturbances to from marine resources, so that human activity will at the Seventh International Permafrost Conference ecological systems. Specific recommendations for an these systems will be different and require different necessarily be affected by change. The coast is a in Yellowknife, Canada in 1998 together with Jerry integrated approach to the interactions within this adaptation strategies. “New” shelf ecosystems may region exposed to natural hazards and is particularly Brown and Hans-Wolfgang Hubberten. As such, ACD system, and for the establishment and expansion arrive before we have a chance to establish baselines, sensitive to climate change; it is thus a high priority has always had roots and a shared community in the of monitoring capacity led to the design of future one of the goals of continued efforts to establish a for change detection and awareness. Providing International Permafrost Association (IPA). Its mission research directions. sustained arctic observing system. One of the main sufficient observational data and expert knowledge has been to bring together researchers working across challenges facing coastal research in the Arctic is to on which to base appropriate and effective disciplines in the circumpolar Arctic coastal zone in create and maintain monitoring capabilities that will adaptation strategies remains a major challenge in order to coordinate efforts and develop products The ACD Legacy and Outlook permit us to detect changes in this sensitive region. the north, one which science can address. relevant to Arctic system sciences. Annual workshops Since advancing to IASC Network status in 2006, An appropriate response to these challenges can began the next year, growing each year in size and ACD has been transformed. Networking within the benefit from ACD’s legacy, which includes specific The State of the Arctic Coast Report recommended attracting the interest of a circumpolar community community has decreased as a result of the cessation recommendations made in the State of the Arctic the dedication of a formal organization and financial of researchers working in the coastal zone. Under the of annual meetings, although coastal science in the Coast Report (Forbes et al. 2011). resources to the establishment of a circumpolar leadership of Volker Rachold at the Alfred Wegener Arctic is more relevant than ever. Drilling and marine observatory network in the coastal zone as an Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Potsdam, transport are becoming commonplace in both The report presents a detailed snapshot of our current offshoot of ACD and its IPY activities, which were Germany (AWI), ACD became a project of IASC and the North American and Eurasian sectors, raising understanding of the Arctic coast, including the formalized in the IPY project Arctic Circumpolar was later affiliated with the Land-Oceans Interactions concerns about the capacity to associated potential in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) project. Coinciding management and disaster response challenges. with the Second International Conference on Arctic Numerous international scientific ocean drilling Research Planning (ICARP II), its focus expanded from projects have entered the pre-proposal stage for geomorphological dynamics to include biodiversity drilling on the arctic shelf. In 2012, resource exploration and socio-economics, leading in the former case to was opened in the Laptev Sea and exploration for the formation of an independent group (ACBio). In the establishment of national marine boundaries 2006, leadership passed to Nicole Couture at McGill continues. The dramatic changes to sea ice extent University, Montreal, Canada, and Paul Overduin at and duration show no signs of reversing, and may AWI. Under their leadership, ACD led the IPYcluster already be changing coastal morphodynamics to an of coastal observatory projects and contributed to unprecedented degree. The ACD coastal database, international efforts to co-ordinate monitoring in the described in a paper published in 2011 (Lantuit et al. Arctic (the Sustained Arctic Observatory Network, 2011), provides the first assessment of coastal dynamics SAON). With the support of the European Space at a circum-Arctic scale and provides a snapshot at Agency (ESA), these initiatives have resulted in the the beginning of the 21st century. In this paper, the accumulation of satellite imagery at ACD key sites, a database itself is described, and coastal dynamics network of over forty coastal monitoring sites. Major at a circumpolar and regional scale are described. ACD accomplishments have been the creation of What emerges is a need to understand how shifting tsm [g m^-3] the circumpolar coastal database (Lantuit et al., 2011) environmental forcing factors will affect arctic coastal
FIGURE: Distribution of suspended particulate matter in and around the Lena Delta. Captured by the Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer MERIS on board ENVISAT (European Space Association ESA) on Aug. 19, 2005. Data were corrected for influence of the atmosphere to determine the water reflectance, from which the scattering and absorption coefficients were derived using a neural network algorithm, 56 and then converted into concentrations.57 4 IASC NETWORKS 4 IASC NETWORKS Coastal Observatory Network (ACCOnet). Monitoring Contact Information: activities can benefit from ACCOnet but should be Project Co-Leaders designed with appropriate resources: Pier Paul Overduin ũũ an inventory of existing stations, actors, and Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and networks in the field should be created and Marine Research (AWI) updated. Telegrafenberg A43, 14473 Potsdam, Germany ũũ common mapping tool(s) should be established Phone: +49-331-288-2113 as a circumpolar “language” for data. Fax: +49-331-288-2137 ũũ government agency support must be solicited E-mail: [email protected] to allocate resources for coastal monitoring. Nicole Couture ũũ effective communication of coastal issues in the Natural Resources Canada - Geological Arctic is a prerequisite to recognition of the need Survey of Canada for agency resources. 601 Booth Street, Ottawa, ũũ coastal communities represent an important Ontario, Canada K1A 0E8 source of demand and potential capacity Phone: +1-613-995-3527 to support monitoring efforts and must be Fax: +1-613-992-0190 integrated in any monitoring effort. E-mail: [email protected] A modular approach to building a network of sites and monitoring capabilities could capitalize on Steering Committee support from national agencies, research funding Felix Are | St. Petersburg State University of Means bodies, academic and community-based initiatives. and Communication, Russia Representatives of IASC, IPA and LOICZ met at the David Atkinson | University of Alaska Fairbanks, IPY conference in Montréal, Canada in April 2012 Fairbanks, USA to begin planning the co-ordination of future Arctic coastal research activities. ACD supports this Georgy Cherkashov | VNIIOkeangeologia, process, which will continue to develop plans for St. Petersburg, Russia future activities based on the outcomes of the State Mikhail Grigoriev | Permafrost Institute, of the Arctic Coast Report. Yakutsk, Russia
References Hans-Wolfgang Hubberten | AWI, Potsdam, Germany Forbes, D. L. (ed.) 2011. State of the Arctic Coast 2010: Scientific Review and Outlook. International Arctic Science Committee, Torre Jorgenson | ABR Inc., Fairbanks, USA Land-Oceans Interactions in the Coastal Zone, Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, International Permafrost Rune Ødegard | Gjøvik College, Gjøvik, Norway Association. Helmholtz-Zentrum, Geesthacht, Germany, 178p. http://arcticcoasts.org. Kathleen Parewick | Memorial University, St. John’s, Canada Lantuit, H., Overduin, P. P., Couture, N., Wetterich, S., Are, F., Atkinson, D., Brown, J., Cherkashov, G., Drozdov, D., Forbes, D., Graves-Gaylord, http://acd.arcticportal.org A., Grigoriev, M., Hubberten, H.-W., Jordan, J., Jorgenson, T., Ødegård, R. S., Ogorodov, S., Pollard, W., Rachold, V., Sedenko, S., Solomon, S., Steenhuisen, F., Streletskaya, I., Vasiliev, A. (2012) The Arctic Coastal Dynamics database. A new classification scheme and statistics on arctic permafrost coastlines. Estuaries and Coasts 35(2):383-400, doi:10.1007/s12237-010-9362-6.
58 59 4 IASC NETWORKS 4 IASC NETWORKS PHOTO: JAKOB SIEVERS The R/V Lance while anchored to sea-ice during an ice-breaker cruise to (81N,1E) to conduct measurements on the sea-ice.
5. International Science Initiatives Polar Year. The purpose of SAON is to support and Board meeting. Funding continues to be a challenge strengthen the development of multinational for some Tasks, but most are sufficiently resourced by engagement for sustained and coordinated pan- the countries leading these various efforts. The Board Arctic observing and data sharing systems. SAON also discussed establishing a SAON strategy paper. promotes the vision of well-defined observing This document, still in development, will provide networks that enable users to have access to free, SAON with a strategic plan that aligns various SAON open and high quality data that will realize pan-Arctic Tasks and activities with longer-term objectives » and global value-added services and provide societal consistent with the SAON vision. The SAON Secretariat 5 International Science Initiatives benefits. IASC has supported the development of has also been developing tools on the SAON website. SAON since 2007, and currently provides Secretariat For example, observing activities that have been support, representation on the SAON Executive reported by SAON National Committees have been Committee and Board, and the IASC President is compiled and digitized (http://www.arcticobserving. SAON vice-chair. org/networks)
IASC hosted the second meeting of the SAON Board The Board also reviewed and approved the SAON in Potsdam, 1-2 October 2012. The meeting was Terms of Reference and Rules of Procedure. These Sustaining Arctic attended by representatives of eight Arctic Council To promote Arctic science at a global level, IASC is documents will be open for comment and revision member countries, the Inuit Circumpolar Council, involved in science planning and the initiation and Observing Networks during periodic reviews of SAON activities. The first the SAON Secretariat sponsors (AMAP and IASC), five development of international initiatives from major review will be conducted later this year. Following non-arctic countries (Germany, Italy, Japan, South research programs to thematic workshops. Although (SAON) the Board meeting, the composition of the SAON Korea, Poland), nine SAON Task Leaders, and several IASC is not a funding organization, it does make Executive Committee was expanded to include partner organizations (GEO, EEA, WMO). its connections, expertise, and secretarial support Sweden (representing AC members) and ICC available for selected international science initiatives. SAON has approved 23 Tasks that are responsible (representing AC Permanent Participants). The Board Initiatives are usually carried out in cooperation with Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) is a for leading specific observing and data integration will meet again during the first Arctic Observing other arctic and international organizations. process that was initiated during the International activities, and brief reports were provided at the Summit (AOS) in Vancouver, Canada in April 2013.
PHOTO: ALLEN POPE PHOTO: SAON Board Meeting, Potsdam Juneau Icefield Research Program 2012, Alaska
62 63 5 INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE INITIATIVES 5 INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE INITIATIVES International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC)
International Study of Arctic Change The International Study of Arctic Change (ISAC, www.arcticchange.org) is an open-ended, interdisciplinary arctic environmental change research program initiated in the wake of the 2003 Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) Open Science meeting. As an IPY legacy of the by observed changes in our current understanding of (decades) operation of an international Arctic for action, a reference framework for developing International Polar Year, ISAC facilitates cooperation the Arctic System and provides a vision for integrating Observing System. The AOS will be a recurring (biennial) research and learning approaches to responding and collaboration in international arctic research, research among diverse fields and varied users and forum for advancing arctic observing activities and to change, and recommendations for a series of and improves integration of stakeholders into the stakeholders. ISAC activities are directed by the ISAC improving coordination and optimizing resources. implementation activities that will bring researchers research process. ISAC extends the study of the Arctic Science Steering Group (SSG) and facilitated by the The AOS will engage basic research, mission-oriented, and stakeholders together in a meaningful way at from basic science to offer insight into options for ISAC International Program Office (IPO). The IPO is and stakeholder communities with participants from multiple points of entry into the research process solutions to the real world problems that are intrinsic a distributed office with an Executive Director in academia, government agencies, arctic communities, from the beginning (research design) to the end to a changing planet. Fairbanks at the International Arctic Research Center, industry and non-governmental organizations. AOS (dissemination of usable information). A workshop University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), and a Project activities will occur within the framework of state-of- report and Summary Report for Policy Makers is ISAC takes an iterative, integrative and pan-arctic Manager in Stockholm at the Swedish Polar Research the-art arctic science and, in collaboration with SAON, available at www.arcticchange.org. approach to advancing the science needed to Secretariat. In 2012 the IPO expanded to China with will include the identification and pursuit of specific address arctic environmental change. ISAC seeks to the opening of a Chinese ISAC Secretariat in Qingdao, tasks designed to improve network performance for The Arctic Ocean Drift Study (AODS). One drive forward research objectives that are significant led by a Secretary General. Major ISAC activities in a full spectrum of applications, from climate research mandate of ISAC is to assist with the coordination for both science and for society. In pursuit of these 3 2012 and beyond include: to the delivery of useful products that serve a broad among national programs and projects for joint goals, ISAC activities lead to new conceptual spectrum of needs and stakeholder groups. The first planning of research. To this end, ISAC is a science and organizational frameworks for integrating Planning and execution of a AOS is planned for late spring 2013. partner and a coordinating entity for a developing stakeholders into research planning and execution. 1biennial Arctic Observing Arctic Ocean Drift Study (AODS) led by the University Summit (AOS) in partnership with An ongoing series of Responding to Arctic of Manitoba, a partner in the ArcticNet Network The ISAC Science Program the ArcticNet Network of Centres 2Environmental Change (RtoC) workshops. The of Centres of Excellence Canada. The AODS is The ISAC science program is structured around of Excellence Canada, the U.S. Study first RtoC workshop was held in January 2012 at planned as a multi-nation study utilizing the CGC the three concepts of observing, understanding of Environmental Arctic Change, the European Queen’s University in Kingston, Canada. The workshop Amundsen. The first planning workshop, hosted by and responding to arctic environmental change. Union Arctic Climate Change Economy and Society brought together an international group of researchers the University of Manitoba, took place 16-17 July 2012. ISAC activities are designed to advance the (ACCESS) project, and SAON. The AOS is a designated and members of stakeholder groups including Participants represented Canada, Denmark, France, main components of the program through the SAON task (SAON Task 12: www.arcticobserving. indigenous peoples, NGO’s and government and Japan, Korea, Russia, the UK and the USA. Participants implementation of the 2010 ISAC Science Plan. The org/tasks), designed to provide guidance for the intergovernmental agencies. This workshop resulted in discussed development of the AODS Science Plan, plan identifies nine key science questions prompted design, implementation, coordination and sustained an agreed definition of RtoC, a new research agenda and developed a project timeline and strategies
PHOTO: RANE WILLERSLEV During the Chukchi Festival in Achaivayam, Kamchatka.
64 65 5 INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE INITIATIVES 5 INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE INITIATIVES for international cooperation. The workshop was resourceful and informed response from international successful in garnering international support for the International Polar and national stakeholders with mandate and interest AODS and defining scientific and logistical routes to in polar activities. Inaction will lead to serious achieve project goals. Through collaborative initiatives Initiative (IPI) consequences for current and future generations. To like the AODS, ISAC is facilitating international efforts effectively address the challenges and efficiently use the to improve understanding of how the arctic system The Polar Regions of the world are undergoing fast available resources, the Group proposes a cooperation functions. and dramatic transformations that impact their framework provisionally entitled “International Polar environment, economy and the life of local residents. Initiative” (IPI). Under the Framework, a common 4 ISAC Foresight Planning. ISAC is now engaged in These changes are anticipated to increase in the IPI Implementation Plan should be prepared for the development of a ten-year strategic plan using decades to come and result in significant global the development of observing systems, research, a Foresight Planning Approach (FPA) This is modeled implications. The current lack of sustainable polar services, related education and outreach, and practical after recent foresight exercises undertaken by the observations and, as a result, of comprehensive applications of scientific knowledge in the Polar International Council for Science (ICSU). It is an information services, in case of the Arctic, is Regions. The IPI would optimize the use of existing approach that is especially adaptable to international, an impediment for the economic and human resources and identify areas where new investments iterative and interdisciplinary programs such as ISAC. development of the North and for adaptation of in polar activities are necessary for environmental The FPA will engage a broad spectrum of the Arctic this region to changing climate and environmental protection, sustainable development of the regions, research community, including existing ISAC partners. conditions. Many activities of the recently concluded and for addressing existing and emerging societal needs. Existing polar programs and infrastructure, Other Activities International Polar Year 2007-2008 (IPY) resulted in significant advances in polar observations, research including the legacy of the recently concluded IPY The ISAC Science Steering group meets annually in and practical applications of knowledge for the 2007-2008, will provide initial building blocks for IPI. early January. In 2012 the Ocean University of China benefit of mankind. It is therefore important to If endorsed, the IPI Framework Agreement will create in Qingdao, China hosted the SSG meeting. In 2013 preserve these achievements as an IPY legacy and a platform enabling efficient cooperative response the meeting is held in Tokyo in conjunction with the to use them as the starting point for addressing the to existing and future challenges, and, if successfully 3rd International Symposium on Arctic Research, 14- challenges posed by the processes occurring in the implemented, the IPI Implementation Plan will turn 17 January 2013. In addition, ISAC holds an annual Polar Regions. existing polar activities into a coordinated series of Town Hall meeting at the annual conference of the highly productive interagency initiatives to address the American Geophysical Union in San Francisco, USA A World Meteorological Organization (WMO)- identified challenges. in December. In 2012 the topic of the Town Hall was Roshydromet workshop held in Saint Petersburg, the AOS. For more information about ISAC, ISAC Russian Federation, in April 2011 proposed a Some time will be needed for developing the IPI publications, and upcoming activities please visit us consultative process, in which representatives of Implementation Plan and secure commitments on the web at www.arcticchange.org the main international organizations and agencies and resources for its implementation. This period with interest in Polar Regions, acting as experts and when IPI gains momentum should not lead to a Contact Information members of a Steering Group, would impartially slow down of the on-going deployment of already On behalf of the ISAC Science Steering Group: analyze the needs of and issues in the Polar Regions proposed and endorsed observing systems, and a consensus-based means of addressing them. Maribeth S. Murray, Executive Director, ISAC IPO, research, and other continuing relevant activities. The Workshop Co-Chairs, David Hik and Jan-Gunnar Contact information Fairbanks Support to important existing polar activities that Winther, became the Co-Chairs of this Steering Vladimir Ryabinin need to be sustained and further developed should Lize-Marie van der Watt, Project Manager, ISAC IPO, Group. World Meteorological Organization Stockholm be considered at the very early stage of the plan Secretary of the Steering Group The main conclusion of the consultations conducted development. IASC has been very instrumental in Jinping Zhao, Secretary General, ISAC Chinese on long-term international cooperative polar initiative by the Group in 2011-2012 is that the magnitude supporting the development of the IPI idea. Secretariat, Qingdao Email: [email protected] and interdependence of the polar challenges and www.arcticchange.org their interdisciplinary nature call for a coordinated, http://internationalpolarinitiative.org/
PHOTO: KOPRI First cruise of ARAON to the Arctic Chukchi sea.
66 67 5 INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE INITIATIVES 5 INTERNATIONAL SCIENCE INITIATIVES PHOTO: ANDREW TEDSTONE Leverett Glacier, southwest Greenland: Sling loading supplies for the ice-margin camp.
6. Relationship to other Organizations larger well-established Associations, the scientific Ice Interactions [CVII] jointly with the International standard was generally very high. There the IACS Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the accredited Delegates elected the new Bureau of Earth‘s Interior [IAVCEI]) or another cryospheric the Association: 11 scientists from over the world organization (Glacier And Permafrost HAZards in dedicated to the advancement of the Association mountains [GAPHAZ] jointly with the International (see www.cryophericsciences.org/officers.html). Permafrost Association [IPA]).
IACS has a slim and flexible organizational structure Indeed, IACS liaises with many other organizations and » 6 Relationship to other Organizations that can accommodate many ideas and allow often participates actively in their activities. Being part many ways to serve the community. Standing and of the International Council of Science (ICSU) family, Working Groups, established from time to time by IACS signed its first Letter of Agreement with IASC and the IACS Bureau, form the backbone of the scientific SCAR in 2008. Among other activities, this resulted organization. These are groups of like-minded in the joint organization of a two-day Symposium scientists brought together to achieve specific tasks, held September 2011 in Siena, Italy, to consider the which might not have been possible if they were legacy of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 and International working in isolation. The resulting collaborations are any unaddressed aspects of polar science within the international and of broad scientific interest. Since context of the ICSU Grand Challenges. IACS is looking Association of 2007, IACS Working Groups have developed “The forward to continuing this fruitful collaboration with International Classification of Seasonal Snow on the these two Polar organizations. Cryospheric Ground” and the “Glossary of Glacier Mass Balance and Related Terms” (http://www.cryosphericsciences. Another important way to promote cryospheric Sciences (IACS) org/products.html). Both documents have been sciences is by sponsoring Early Career Scientists. published by the International Hydrological Program IACS strongly supports the Association of Polar of UNESCO and have been or will be translated Early Career Scientists (APECS) and an Early Career into several other languages. The IACS Bureau Science Workshop will be held prior to the Davos proposed to the IUGG Council a formal Resolution Atmospheric and Cryospheric Assembly (DACA-13). urging all snow and ice scientists, practitioners, and DACA-13 is a joint Scientific Assembly of IACS and IASC has worked towards strengthening its relationship scientists from related disciplines to adopt these new the International Association of Meteorology and with other polar and global organization through the schemes as standards. The IUGG Council adopted Atmospheric Sciences (IAMAS), July 8-12 2013, with years. The goal is to develop and stimulate shared The International Association of Cryospheric Sciences the Resolution that can be consulted on the IUGG the theme Air, Ice & Process Interactions. This will initiatives that are of high priority for the broader arctic (IACS) is a relatively young player among the many website (in English) at http://iugg.org/resolutions include an IACS focus on the mountain cryosphere. research community. Different organizations are strong scientific organizations dealing with Cryospheric and (in French) at http://iugg.org/resolutions/fr. A recurring partners in promoting arctic and bi-polar sciences. Relative because although it has only existed Working Group on “Flow law for polycrystalline ice” The IACS Bureau very much welcomes ideas, science. Organizations highlighted in this chapter include: as an IUGG Association since 2007, its roots go back and the recently approved Working Group “From suggestions, and comments from the scientific the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences to 1894 when the International Geological Congress quantitative stratigraphy to microstructure-based community. This is the best way to fulfil our objectives (IACS), the International Arctic Social Sciences Association established the „Commission Internationale des modelling of snow” are currently active. for the benefit of all Cryospheric sciences. (IASSA), the International Council for the Exploration of Glaciers”. The eight Associations of the International the Sea (ICES), the International Network for Circumpolar Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), including The “GTN-G Steering Committee“ is a newly installed Written by: Health Research (INCHR), the International Permafrost for the first time IACS, participated in the IUGG General Standing Group designed to advise the World Charles Fierz | IACS, President Elect Association (IPA), the Pacific Arctic Group (PAG), the Assembly 2011 in Melbourne. Altogether about Glacier Monitoring Service (WGMS) and its partners Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) 3600 participants attended the General Assembly in their current and future work. The two other and the World Climate Research Program/ Climate and and, although the number of IACS delegates and Standing Groups are run in partnership with either Cryosphere Project (WCRP/CliC). of IACS-led symposia was smaller than those of the another IUGG Association (Commission on Volcano
PHOTO: A. MACKINTOSH Looking South from the Gornergrat, Switzerland, 3 100 m above sea level. From East to West: Liskamm (4527 m), Castor (4087 m), and Pollux (4092 m); Grenzgletscher, Zwillings Gletscher, Schwärze Gletscher, and Breithorn Gletscher. 70 71 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS Sustainabilities’, with an inclusive understanding of Fisheries Working Group (AFWG). Some ICES International Arctic that phrase, to encompass various types (cultural, lnternational Council assessment groups focus on subarctic fish stocks in economic, environmental) and understandings/ the Barents Sea, around Iceland and East Greenland, Social Sciences definitions of the concept. More information on for the Exploration and some widely distributed and straddling stocks. ICASS VIII, and on previous congresses, can be found The annual ICES Report on Ocean Climate and the Association (IASSA) at http://www.iassa.org/meetings. of the Sea (ICES) biannually published ICES Zooplankton Report also cover subarctic waters.
In March 2012, the Science Committee of ICES Arctic Human Development Report (SCICOM) was requested to initiate the science (AHDR) II (2011-2014) - Update development of an integrated and focused activity Work on the Arctic Human Development Report on Arctic issues by ICES leadership. We compiled an (AHDR), reported on first in IASC Bulletin 2011, is Several longstanding international groups are active There is an increasing recognition of the importance overview of the research activities carried out by the proceeding. As noted there, the purpose of the in Arctic science, in particular the Arctic Council and of Arctic social sciences and humanities in understan- ICES countries. Most submitted their national activities AHDR-II is to provide a follow-up to the initial Arctic its six working groups and IASC. ding the changing dynamics of the Arctic/Circum- as well as contributions to international cooperative Human Development Report (2004), an assessment polar North, as globalization, climate change, and programs, reflecting a very comprehensive overview and synthesis of trends and new issues of critical The International Council for the Exploration of the other forces increasingly influence the North, and as of the work in the Arctic and sub-arctic Atlantic Ocean. import to Circumpolar human development. This will Sea (ICES) is already involved in partnerships with the pace of social, cultural, economic and political provide the Arctic Council information on which to IASC and the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment The Arctic marine environment will undergo major transformation accelerates. This was evident in, inter base policy decisions. As well, the report will likely Program (AMAP) (Arctic Council) and has an Arctic changes in the coming decades due to on-going alia, the much expanded presences of Arctic social find wide usage in post-secondary education, as did sciences in the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007-08. AHDR-I. The goal is to publish AHDR-II in mid-2014. IASSA was founded in 1990, to promote the partici- pation of social scientist and humanities scholars in Draft outlines of the chapters were completed international Arctic research. It also seeks to represent this summer, and made available for review by the Arctic social scientists and humanities scholars, to Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) provide a mechanism to connect these scholars and of the Arctic Council. Joan Nymand Larsen reported facilitate their collaboration, and to advance com- on AHDR-II to the SDWG at their September munication and collaboration between researchers meeting in September 2012, as well as offering a and indigenous northerners. IASSA’s membership is half-day presentation just prior to that meeting. First open to anyone who has an interest in Arctic social order drafts of chapters will be ready for review in sciences or humanities. For more information please December 2012. Please contact Joan Nymand Larsen, see http://www.iassa.org AHDR Lead ([email protected]), or Gail Fondahl, co-lead (gail. climate change and increases in human activities. coastal resources are based on sound science and [email protected]) if interested in reviewing chapter The ecological changes may be complex, including support healthy, productive, and resilient ecosystems drafts or receiving more information on this project. changes in productivity, losses and gains of individual and communities. Resilient and healthy Arctic Upcoming Congress: ICASS VIII (2014) We anticipate reporting on many of the chapters at species, and changes in food web structure. communities and economies will be facilitated by The principal activity of IASSA is convening a tri- the Arctic Sciences Summit Week 2013 in Krakow improved geospatial infrastructure, safe navigation, annual International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences this coming April. The IASC Social & Human Working International partners should be engaged in oil spill response readiness, and climate change (ICASS). ICASS VIII will take place 22-26 May 2014, at Group has provided support to this project. cooperation and sharing of data, observational the University of Northern British Columbia, in Prince platforms, and intellectual resources to enable adaption strategies. Accurate, quantitative, daily Written by: George, BC, Canada. This is the foremost gathering more rapid and comprehensive attainment of to decadal predictions of sea ice are needed to of Arctic social scientists and humanities scholars. Gail Fondahl | IASSA, President science and ecosystem-based management goals. support safe operations and ecosystem stewardship. The topic of the next Congress will be ‘Northern www.iassa.org Conservation, management, and use of ocean and Improved baseline observations and understanding
PHOTO: PEDRO ECHEVESTE Sampling sea ice during an oceanographical cruise in the Arctic Ocean (78º44’N - 2º58’E).
72 73 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS of Arctic climate and ecosystems will reduce Since 2010, the Network has provided graduate uncertainty in assessing and predicting impacts International Network students with travel fellowships to participate International caused by a changing Arctic. Advanced, accurate in the annual Summer Institute in Circumpolar weather forecasts and warnings are needed to ensure for Circumpolar Health Health Research. Summer Institutes were held in Permafrost society can prepare for and respond appropriately to Copenhagen in 2010 and in Oulu in 2011. weather-related events. Research (INCHR) Association (IPA) In 2011, INCHR signed a letter of agreement with IASC, The eight member states of the Arctic Council pledging mutual support in furthering the cause of consider the Arctic, including offshore areas within Arctic Science. INCHR is well positioned to represent their respective Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), to be the voice of the health sciences in such international domestic jurisdiction (unlike Antarctica). The question scientific forums. We look forward to participating of jurisdiction is a sensitive topic. Once the United fully in IASC activities in the coming years. Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) INCHR was founded in 2005. It links researchers, 2012 is a momentous year for INCHR as the members Scientific and public policy interest in permafrost, its process is completed to establish the extent of trainees and those who support health research in recognized the need for consolidating the diverse distribution and dynamics has never been greater. national jurisdiction, only a small region at the center the circumpolar countries. Its objectives are: circumpolar health groups with overlapping While loss of sea ice cover and enhanced Greenland of the Arctic Ocean is expected to remain beyond membership yet competing for the same sources of glacier melt are some of the most identifiable effects national jurisdiction. to conduct, sponsor, and promote research support. As a first step, INCHR voted to merge with of climate warming in the Arctic, permafrost thaw programs and projects investigating the patterns, At the 100th statutory meeting of ICES in October it 1 the International Association of Circumpolar Health and subsequent potential release of carbon into the determinants and impact of health conditions among was agreed that the new ICES Science Plan, which will Publishers based in Oulu. The officers of the new atmosphere are of critical importance in relation to circumpolar peoples and the strategies for improving be in effect from the end of 2013, should reflect an organization, to be known as Circumpolar Health the impact of changes in the Arctic environment on their health; increased interest of ICES in Arctic issues. The Science Research Network [CHRN] are: the rest of the globe. Committee has also been mandated to promote to support research training at all levels and ũũ President: Peter Bjerregaard, This increased awareness and interest in permafrost- science activities in Arctic waters. increase capacity for circumpolar health research 2 Copenhagen, Denmark related research was evident at several conferences in communities, service delivery agencies and higher during 2012, including the IPY conference in April in ICES also wishes to consider how it might connect ũũ Vice-President: Susan Chatwood, educational institutions; Montréal, where permafrost sessions attracted high with the existing circumpolar bodies, especially the Yellowknife, Canada attendance by researchers from outside the traditional Arctic Council and IASC, and contribute to the Arctic to facilitate exchange, communication and ũũ Secretary: Christina Larsen, Copenhagen, community. An increased number of permafrost- research arena. While being aware of the sensitivities 3dissemination of research data; Denmark regarding the Arctic region, ICES believes it has much related press releases are further proof of the growing ũũ Treasurer: Bert Boyer, Fairbanks, United States to offer in the form of collaborative opportunities to strengthen the health information system in interest of decision-makers and the media. and partnerships. This would reduce the risk of 4the circumpolar region. ũũ Board members: Rhonda Johnson (Anchorage), duplication, overlap, or overstretched resources and Laurie Chan (Ottawa), Jim Berner (Anchorage), There are some 70 members in the Network, from ensure that any new initiatives are well coordinated Arja Rautio (Oulu), Jon Odland (Tromsø), all the circumpolar countries. The Network holds with existing ones. Arctic scientists have a long Pam Orr (Winnipeg), Eric Dewailly (Quebec), annual scientific conferences. In 2011 it was held in history of collaboration due to the costs of working in Gert Mulvad (Nuuk) Oulu, Finland, and in 2012 it was held in conjunction the north, difficult working environment, and limited with the 15th International Congress of Circumpolar platforms. We wish the new executive and board all the best in Health in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Network supports moving the Network in new directions in the future. Written by: the publication of the International Journal for Circumpolar Health (IJCH), formerly known as Arctic Adi Kellermann | ICES, Head of Science Program Written by: Medical Research which has been in existence since www.ices.dk Kue Young | INCHR, Past President 1972. In January 2012, IJCH became a completely online journal under the editorship of Prof. Kue Young. http://www.inchr.com
PHOTO: The new IPA Executive Committee (EC) .
74 75 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS To foster this development and to satisfy the general wide range of countries were able to join the meeting, Global Terrestrial Network on create and maintain the database are supported by public interest, the IPA strengthened its efforts at give presentations and co-chair sessions. In addition, Permafrost (GTN-P) the EU funded project Page21, which is embedded outreach during 2012 through the creation of a a special pre-conference workshop with academic in GTN-P. The remaining difficulties of implementing Standing Committee on Outreach and Education. presentations and career advice by senior researchers GTN-P aims to monitor and coordinate the colle- the database were discussed and resolved during a Its tasks are the explanation and promotion of was organized by the Permafrost Young Researchers ction of borehole ground temperature and active meeting in Iceland in September of a small group permafrost-related topics for all audiences and to Network (PYRN). layer thickness data across the Arctic, Antarctic and of scientists and technicians. The first datasets were provide materials and tools for educational activities. mountainous regions where permafrost occurs, and available on the website for download at the end to make these data freely available and highly acces- The IPA Council met twice during the conference of October. The final meeting of 2012 took place in sible for research and education. Tenth International Conference on and elected a new Executive Committee (EC) which Hamburg in November and brought together the Executive Committee as well as observers to discuss Permafrost will manage the IPA until 2016. The President is Significant progress was made towards constructing Antoni Lewkowicz (Canada), the two Vice-Presidents next steps and to plan a larger workshop in spring The Tenth International Conference on Permafrost, a professional and semi-operational setup of the are Hanne Christiansen (Norway) and Vladimir 2013. This workshop will serve to introduce the TICOP, held from 25th – 29th of June in Salekhard, in the database following the very successful GTN-P user Romanovsky (USA) and the members are Hugues database to all involved persons and to clarify the Yamal-Nenets autonomous District in Russia, was the requirement workshop held in November 2011 in Lantuit (Germany), Lothar Schrott (Austria), Dmitry submission and download process. major gathering for permafrost researchers in 2012. Potsdam, co-sponsored by IASC and its Cryosphere Sergeev (Russia) and Ma Wei (China). Inga May, More than 500 participants from over 25 countries Working Group (CWG). A follow-up meeting with who had been working in the IPA Secretariat since attended the conference to exchange the newest database managers in Copenhagen in February 2012 Cooperation with other organizations February 2012, was officially confirmed in the position results in permafrost research and engineering. delivered the essential technical input to implement In 2012 the IPA signed two memoranda of of Executive Director by the Council. the desired database. The core group met again in understanding, both to nurture the outreach activities Many fruitful discussions and meetings took place June to assign an Executive Committee and to create and to encourage capacity building. One is with besides the daily conference program and helped Among other decisions taken by Council were a stable governance structure. The outcomes of the University of the Arctic (UArctic) and the other to foster existing collaborations as well as to create the choices for the next Regional Conference on these meetings laid the foundation to carry on with with the Association of Early Polar Career Scientists new joint projects. Thanks to the generous support Permafrost (Évora, Portugal in 2014) and the Eleventh the practical implementation of the database. This (APECS) and the Permafrost Young Researchers of the government of the Yamal-Nenets autonomous International Conference on Permafrost (Potsdam, work is now almost finished and was mainly realized Network (PYRN). District, 150 young permafrost researchers from a Germany in 2016). by the Arctic Portal, based in Akureyri. Personnel to
Outlook for 2013 For 2013 the IPA plans to build upon the structural changes that were introduced in the last two years that are permitting the development of funded Action Groups. The implementation and advance of the GTN-P initiative will be a major focus, as will facilitating the study of the role of changing permafrost conditions in terms of the carbon cycle. The IPA plans to maintain its position as the pre- eminent international organization focusing on permafrost science and engineering and their implications for policy-makers, industry and the general public.
Written by: Inga May | IPA, Executive Director
http://ipa.arcticportal.org/
PHOTO: PHOTO: The Tenth International Conference on Permafrost, TICOP. The first-fish-celebration at the TICOP in Salekhard, Russia.
76 77 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS shared interest in studying physical variability and planning documents from these two organizations. Pacifi c Arctic Group change and estimating the ecosystem response. The Internationally, the DBO sites are included in the Scientifi c Committee PAG created the Distributed Biological Observatory Arctic Council’s Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring (PAG) (DBO) as the organizing framework for this research. Program Marine Monitoring Plan. Additionally, PAG on Antarctic Beginning in 2010 and continuing through 2012, members have submitted a task description to the research cruises organized by PAG members included Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) Board Research making a core set of measurements (see Table 1) at focused on the DBO and the PAG’s eff ort to achieve agreed station locations (see Figure 1). Figure 2 shows an international approach to long-term observations (SCAR) the high level of eff ort expended in 2012 for fi eld- in the Pacifi c sector of the Arctic. At its meeting in work. October 2012, the SAON Board agreed that this eff ort will be a formal task under SAON. The Pacifi c Arctic Group (PAG) is an informal The PAG has agreed to establish two teams of association of individuals and organizations that share technical experts, one focusing on physics and The study of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, and an interest in scientifi c research related to the Pacifi c chemistry, and another focused on biology, that Written by: their role in the Earth system, has never been more sector of the Arctic. Originally formed as an element will work over the next few years to organize the important as the region experiences change that John Calder | PAG, Past Chairman of IASC, the PAG now operates independently but data from a number of research cruises and prepare has global implications. The Antarctic is a “natural keeps in close contact with the IASC. For the past few analyses and reports based on the multinational data http://pag.arcticportal.org/ laboratory” for scientifi c research of importance in years, the PAG has focused on ship-based research set. Workshops, co-sponsored by IASC, are planned its own right and impossible to achieve elsewhere in the Bering, Beaufort and Chukchi Seas and in the for early 2013 to begin data analysis. on the planet. The Scientifi c Committee on Antarctic central Arctic Basins. Through connections created Research (SCAR)’s strategic vision is for a world where among PAG participants, space has been provided to In the United States, the DBO has been endorsed by the science of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean foreign visitors on many national cruises, and data and the National Science and Technology Council and the benefi ts all, excellence in science is valued and information have been shared and used to prepare National Ocean Council. The DBO and involvement scientifi c knowledge informs policy making. SCAR’s joint publications. Recently, the PAG developed a of the PAG are specifi cally included in the newest mission is to be the leading non-governmental, international facilitator and advocate of research in and from the Antarctic region, to provide objective 0 200 400 Core standardized ship-based and authoritative scientifi c advice to the Antarctic km sampling: VESSEL COUNTRY PI Treaty and other bodies, and to bring emerging issues 160°E 180° 160°W 140°W 120°W to the attention of policy makers. ũ CTD Laurier (July) Canada Vagle Khromov-Leg 1 (July) Russia and USA Woodgate ũ Chlorophyll There are many common scientifi c interests between Healy (Aug) USA Grebmeier IASC and SCAR in the polar regions and much to be ũ Nutrients 70°N ũ Ice algae/Phytoplankton (size, Xue Long (Aug-Sept) China He gained from developing synergies between both biomass and composition) 5 organizations in polar and bipolar research. SCAR and 4 Khromov-Leg 2 Russia and USA Woodgate (Aug-Sept) IASC are recognized by the International Council for ũ Zooplankton (size, biomass 65°N Science (ICSU) as the main source of information and and composition) 3 Fairweather (July-Aug) USA TBD/NOAA CESP (Aug) USA TBD guidance on polar issues. Both SCAR and IASC also ũ Benthos (size, biomass TBD (Aug) USA Napp serve as ICSU’s Observers to the Intergovernmental and composition) 60°N 2 Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to ensure that polar 1 Annika Marie (Sept) USA Ashjian ũ Seabird (standard transects, issues are fully considered. no additional shiptime) Mirai (Sept-Oct) Japan Kikuchi
Healy (Oct) USA Pickart Areas of current and future collaboration include ũ Marine mammal observations 55°N (no additional ship time) studies related to the cryosphere and to the roles of
TABLE 1: FIGURE 1: FIGURE 2: Core standardized ship-based sampling Location of current (red) and future (blue) DBO target areas. Research cruises to DBO target areas in summer 2012.
78 79 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS the polar regions in the climate system. As an example of the International Polar Initiative (IPI) Concept Note SCAR President. SCAR will also have two new Vice- of the former, on the 14th of July in Portland, prior Steering Group (see Chapter 5). Presidents: Professor Karin Lochte from the AWI World Climate to the SCAR Open Science Conference, a workshop in Germany and Professor Bryan Storey from the Immediately after the Open Science Conference, was held on Ice Sheet Mass Balance and Sea Level. University of Canterbury, New Zealand. They will join Research Program/ at the SCAR Delegates’ meeting, all five new SCAR This workshop, sponsored by ICSU, SCAR, IASC, World Professors YeaDong Kim (Korea) and Sergio Marenssi Scientific Research Programs were approved (see Climate Research Program (WCRP), International (Argentina) as well as Mahlon „Chuck“ Kennicutt who Climate and http://www.scar.org/researchgroups/progplanning/). GPS Service (IGS), and International Association will remain on the Executive Committee for two years These programs will be very much at the forefront of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) with support from as Past President. The SCAR Delegates also welcomed Cryosphere Project of SCAR science over the next 6-8 years and all are Climate and Cryosphere Project (CliC) and Association Venezuela as the 37th Member Country of SCAR. The considering bipolar linkages. The five new programs of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), had a number full report of the Delegates’ meeting is available from: (WCRP/CliC) are: of aims including assessing the current knowledge http://www.scar.org/publications/bulletins/Bulletin
of the contribution of the Antarctic and Greenland 183.pdf. ũũ (i) State of the Antarctic Ecosystem (AntEco). Ice Sheets to global and regional sea level and Contact: Don Cowan ([email protected]) planning the future of the joint SCAR/IASC Ice Sheet A new Powerpoint Presentation, highlighting SCAR’s ũũ (ii) Antarctic Thresholds – Ecosystem Mass Balance and Sea Level Expert Group. Thanks to Mission, Goals and new groups is also available from: Resilience and Adaptation (AnT-ERA). APECS and CliC, movies of all the presentations are http://db.tt/tiYMjr1U. Contact: Julian Gutt ([email protected]) available from http://www.climate-cryosphere.org/ Further details on SCAR groups, activities etc. can be st The year 2012 was marked for WCRP by analyzing en/events/2012/ISMASS/Results.html ũũ (iii) Antarctic Climate Change in the 21 Century obtained from: (AntClim21).Contact: Nancy Bertler the outcomes of its first Open Science Conference Bipolar cooperation will continue to be explored ([email protected]) (OSC) held in Denver, USA, on 24-28 October 2011 through the joint Bipolar Advisory Group (BiPAG II, and self-organizing to address the Grand Challenges ũũ (iv) Solid Earth Response and Cryosphere see http://www.scar.org/about/partnerships/iasc/) for climate science identified by the Extraordinary Evolution (SERCE). Contact: Terry Wilson Written by that is charged with identifying areas for scientific co- Session of the WCRP Joint Scientific Committee (JSC) ([email protected]) Mike Sparrow | SCAR, Executive Director operation. IASC and SCAR are also jointly considering held immediately after the Conference. Following the how best to preserve and build-on their stewardship ũũ (v) Past Antarctic Ice Sheet Dynamics (PAIS). www.scar.org. conclusion of the OSC that “the cryosphere is very Contact Carlota Escutia ([email protected]) responsibilities for the legacies of the IPY in observing https://www.facebook.com/groups/2514526253/ rich on scientific challenges”, a group of scientists systems, data and information management, and prepared a white paper on prospective research on http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Scientific- mentoring of students and early career scientists. In During the Delegates’ Meeting, professor Jerónimo cryosphere and climate, which was discussed at the Committee-on-Antarctic-Research-2090555 this regards both SCAR and IASC are core members López-Martínez (Spain) was elected as the new 33rd Session of the JSC in Beijing, China, in July 2012.
PHOTO: IÑIGO GARCIA ZARANDONA Greenland Sea: the summer melt session starts in late May.
80 81 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS Currently, the main motivations for focused research ũũ How predictable is Arctic climate? Under the leadership of the new Director, CliC has on the cryosphere and climate are related to the recently produced a few new resources that may be ũũ Is the stability of ice sheets changing? What is the prospect of an ice-free Arctic Ocean; the fate of of interest to the IASC community: probability of catastrophic ice sheet breakdown mountain glaciers providing fresh water to hundreds in the next few decades? ũũ Cryosphere Specialist Directory of millions of people worldwide; the strength of positive feedbacks between the warming climate The questions will be answered through a number ũũ Cryosphere Thesis Database (together with and natural emissions of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) of research activities including past polar climate APECS and PYRN) from the thawing permafrost (both terrestrial and reconstructions and reanalyses, optimizing ũũ RSS for Recent Cryosphere Literature observational networks, improving climate models sub-sea); and the role of ice-sheet dynamics in the ũũ Cryosphere Projects Catalog and assessing their performance and the degree of amplification of Greenland’s contribution to global ũũ Cryosphere Community Calendar sea-level rise. These issues are getting increasing confidence that can be placed in them, and a number ũũ Cryosphere Video Channel attention in the international scientific research of focused workshops. community and directly relate to societal needs for ũũ Cryosphere Podcast Series (available on iTunes) WCRP and CliC cooperation with IASC is strong. information about climate change and its impacts. The ũũ … and more are in the works! Together with SCAR and others we organized an overarching objective of this Grand Challenge would Ice Sheet Mass Balance (ISMASS) workshop as a part be to actively promote targeted research activities of the SCAR Open Science Conference Program Written by aimed at substantially improving our understanding in Portland, USA. CliC will provide administrative Jenny Baeseman | CliC, Executive Director of cryospheric processes and feedbacks and our support to help move these efforts forward. CliC Vladimir Ryabinin | WCRP ability to make quantitative initialized predictions and participated in the IASC Cryosphere Working Group- long-term projections of cryospheric quantities and www.climate-cryosphere.org sponsored Tidewater Glacier Workshop in August. their interactions with the global climate system. The As a result, a report on the current state of tidewater „Climate and Cryosphere“ (CliC) project, established glacier research and challenges has been produced, as a WCRP core project and co-sponsored by SCAR along with an accompanying EOS article. CliC is also and IASC will lead these research efforts under the providing administrative support for this group to WCRP umbrella. move their efforts forward to produce a catalog of WCRP, in partnership with IASC, is planning a WCRP tidewater glaciers, mailing list, web presence and Polar Climate Predictability Initiative. Its frontier more. questions read as follows: CliC recently received a grant from the Research ũũ Why are the climates at the two poles changing Council of Norway to host several international bi- so differently from each other (with the Arctic polar sea ice workshops. Close collaboration between changing rapidly, and the Antarctic unevenly), CliC’s Arctic Sea Ice Working Group and members of and to global climate? IASC working groups will be important for the success ũũ Why is the rate of Arctic change at the edge of of these workshops, and follow up activities. (or beyond) the distribution of model estimates, In April 2012, CliC was happy to welcome Dr. Jenny with observations on average exceeding the Baeseman as the new Director. Dr. Baeseman has model rate of change? And why is the situation been working with the IASC Community since 2006, essentially the opposite in the Antarctic? when she joined forces with Hugues Lantuit to create ũũ What does high latitude climate change mean the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists, one for lower latitudes? of the major legacies of the IPY. In July 2012, Heidi ũũ Do the ongoing amplified changes in the Arctic Isaksen joined the CliC office as the Administrative have an influence on extremes in the Arctic? Officer.
PHOTO: ANDREW REED WELLER Taking notes amongst unnamed mountains above the headwaters of Otuk creek during a fieldtrip into the remote reaches of the National Petroleum Reserve of Alaska. 82 83 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS 6 RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS PHOTO: PIERRE ROUSSEL IPY Montréal 2012 Banquet - Cirque du Soleil performing.
7. IPY 2012 Montréal Conference “From Knowledge to Action” and Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) 2012 Momentum Series - International roadblocks to a broader understanding of potential Polar Initiative risks and opportunities resulting from climate During the IPY Conference in Montreal a series change. In the end, reframing information so that it of 4 sessions were held to consider possibilities is both relevant and non-threatening to the intended for sustaining the legacy of IPY. This ‘Momentum audience emerged as one of the recommendations Series’ consisted of four open sessions chaired by a of a stimulating session. group of individuals who had played various roles in J. Overland and P. Schweitzer (2012) Polarization and establishing IPY 2007-2008. Each of the Momentum » Polar Climate. EOS Vol. 93, No. 40, 2 October 2012, 7 IPY 2012 Montréal Conference “From Series sessions summarized lessons learned during page 390. IPY and engaged the wider polar community in Knowledge to Action” and Arctic Science determining the anticipated major polar issues and science questions for the next 20 years; in identifying IASC Medal Award Ceremony Summit Week (ASSW) 2012 requirements for critical monitoring, observation, During the Montreal Conference, the IASC Medal prediction and data management services; and 2012 was awarded to Dr. Igor Krupnik for his The International Polar Year (IPY) 2007/2008, initiated in discussing mechanisms for strengthening exceptional contribution to the success of the by and organized through the International Council IPY 2012 Conference coordination, cooperation and planning for the future International Polar Year. for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological of polar research. The significance of capacity building, The third and last conference of the IPY, the IPY 2012 Organization (WMO), was the fourth polar year, following engagement of polar residents, and education and ´´From Knowledge to Action´´ Conference, held in those in 1882/1883, 1932/33 and 1957/58. IASC was outreach initiatives were also highlighted. Montreal (Canada) at the end of April, was a great represented as ex officio member on the ICSU/WMO success. More than 3,000 scientists, policy- and IPY Joint Committee through its Executive Secretary The Momentum Series introduced the concept decision-makers, industry representatives and local from the very beginning. In 2008, building on a Letter paper for the “International Polar Initiative (IPI)” that residents of the circumpolar communities attended of Agreement between the two organizations, IASC and was prepared in advance of the IPY Conference (see the conference to share the knowledge of the Polar the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Chapter 5). Regions, to present the latest findings and to discuss jointly organized the first IPY Conference in St. Petersburg solutions for addressing the challenges the Polar (Russia). It was the largest polar meeting to that date and Regions are facing. Perceptions and representations of the first bipolar conference. Consequently, IASC and polar (climate) science SCAR became very much involved in the planning of IASC substantially contributed to the planning and This IPY 2012 Conference session, which was chaired the second IPY conference, the IPY 2010 Oslo Conference, scientific program of the IPY 2012 Conference and the by James Overland and Peter Schweitzer, addressed which doubled the number of participants of the St. below summary presents only a few key activities. the following conundrum: while recent years have Petersburg meeting. The Oslo conference marked the brought massive advances in understanding the polar Over his career, Dr. Krupnik has been instrumental formal closure of the IPY 2007/2008 but, recognizing the IASC Early Career Scientist Travel Stipends systems, popular understanding of these processes in increasing public awareness not only about polar need to develop collaborative strategies for addressing seems to be diminishing. In light of tremendous For the IPY 2012 Montréal Conference, IASC awarded bears and ice, but more importantly about the important issues identified by IPY researchers, the IPY Joint changes threatening the state of the system in the twenty travel stipends to early career scientists, inhabitants of the north. He was awarded the medal Committee endorsed the third and final conference of the Arctic and Antarctic, misperceptions of polar science enabling many to attend the final IPY conference. The for his role in bridging the gap between social and IPY, the IPY 2012 Montréal Conference “From Knowledge are a matter of concern. Session participants included travel funds were awarded in cooperation with the natural sciences and for his leadership during the to Action”. Again, IASC and also SCAR became members media representatives alongside climate and social Association for Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS). International Polar Year. of the Conference Steering Committee to help shape scientists. While polar science communication (see Chapter 8). the conference program. At the same time, IASC and certainly has room for improvement, the session did The medal was presented by the IASC President and its partner organizations decided to arrange the Arctic not just “blame” the state of affairs on communication the award ceremony was followed by Dr. Krupnik´s Science Summit Week (ASSW) 2012 in conjunction with failures. Rather, several of the participants pointed medal lecture entitled “Sea Ice as a Cultural ‘Scape’ – the Montréal Conference. to a lack of receptivity or cultural predisposition as an IPY Legacy”.
PHOTO: Dr. Igor Krupnik was awarded the IASC Medal 2012.
86 87 7 IPY 2012 MONTREAL CONFERENCE “FROM KNOWLEDGE TO ACTION” AND ARCTIC SCIENCE SUMMIT WEEK (ASSW) 2012 7 IPY 2012 MONTREAL CONFERENCE “FROM KNOWLEDGE TO ACTION” AND ARCTIC SCIENCE SUMMIT WEEK (ASSW) 2012 SCHEDULE OF THE ASSW 2012 (www.assw2012.org) IASC Booth Arctic Science 19-April 20-April 21-April 22-April An IASC Booth, presenting informational roll-ups, Morning IASC Marine WG IASC Council IASC Social WG IASC Cryosphere WG
IASC yearbooks, brochures and reports was set up in IASC Terrestrial WG IASC Atmosphere WG Association of Early Summit Week 2012 Career Scientists (APECS) the exhibition area of the conference. Forum of Arctic Research Operators (FARO) PAG Business The Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) 2012 was Other Sessions and Side Meetings Afternoon IASC Marine WG IASC Council IASC Social WG APECS Council held from 19-22 April 2012, immediately preceding the IASC was also involved in the following sessions: IASC Terrestrial WG Pacifi c Arctic Group (PAG) Science IPY 2012 Montreal Conference. It included business European Polar Board (EPB) ũ Synopsis of IPY key fi ndings and other recent meetings of the Arctic organizations, including the International Permafrost polar research meetings of the IASC Council and Working Groups. Association (IPA)
ũ Linking science and policy towards Evening Icebreaker IASC WG Chairs Meeting environmentally sustainable development in IASC Council Meeting Reception polar regions IASC Council, at its meeting during the ASSW 2012, reviewed the activities of the fi ve IASC Working namely the 25th Anniversary of IASC in 2015, Council ũ Polar science goes digital Groups and highlighted that within only one year mandated the Executive Committee to form a Steering Upcoming ASSWs they initiated an impressive number of cutting-edge Group to advance the planning. The fi nal event of the and side meetings The ASSW 2013, including a three-day Science activities. Council also agreed to continue endorsing 25 years of IASC celebration will be held at the Arctic Symposium entitled “The Arctic Hub - Regional and ũ Arctic Climate System Network (ACSNet) and sponsoring IASC Networks and adopted Terms Science Summit Week 2015 and will include a third Global Perspectives”, will be held in Kraków, Poland of Reference for its networks. Underlining the International Conference on Arctic Research Planning ũ Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) on 13-19 April 2013. Town Hall Meeting importance of bipolar research, Council confi rmed (ICARP III) and the presentation of an IASC history publication. the value of the synergy with its southern hemisphere The ASSW 2014, which will include an Arctic counterpart, the SCAR, and acknowledged the report Observing Summit, will be held in Helsinki, Finland Finally, in the closing ceremony, IASC, together with nd presented by the 2 SCAR/IASC Bipolar Action Group IASC Working Groups on 07-12 April 2014. SCAR and APECS, received the IPY torch (a Norwegian (BipAG II). Referring to the recommendations of the The fi ve IASC Working Groups (Atmosphere, “budstikke”), indicating that these three organizations Bipolar Action Group, Council decided to establish two Cryosphere, Marine, Social & Human and Terrestrial) The ASSW 2015, including IASC´s 25th Anniversary are now assuming responsibility for securing the IPY new Action Groups: (1) to provide advice on possible met during the ASSW 2012 and reviewed activities Celebration and the Third International Conference legacies. approaches to better address Arctic terrestrial and begun in 2011 and planned for several new on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP III) will be held in marine geological research in the broadest sense of initiatives. A detailed summary is given in Chapter 2. Japan. (See Chapter 1) geosciences and (2) to undertake the development of an IASC Data Policy that would provide guidance for IASC supported activities, and reinforce IASC’s commitment to data management and sharing activities.
Council also discussed joint activities with the Arctic Council, such as Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON), Adaptation for a Changing Arctic (AACA) and Arctic Resilience Report (ARR), IASC´s contributions to ICSU and the cooperation with the numerous partner organizations. IASC is committed to maintaining the momentum generated by the IPY and is actively involved in the planning of the International Polar Initiative (IPI). To prepare for an important event,
PHOTO: PHOTO: PIERRE ROUSSEL Peter Harrison, Chair of the IPY 2012 Montréal Conference, with the IPY “budstikke”. IPY Montréal 2012 Banquet - Cirque du Soleil performing.
88 89 7 IPY 2012 MONTREAL CONFERENCE “FROM KNOWLEDGE TO ACTION” AND ARCTIC SCIENCE SUMMIT WEEK (ASSW) 2012 7 IPY 2012 MONTREAL CONFERENCE “FROM KNOWLEDGE TO ACTION” AND ARCTIC SCIENCE SUMMIT WEEK (ASSW) 2012 PHOTO: ALLEN POPE Juneau Icefi eld Research Program 2012
8. Capacity Building Memoranda of Understanding (with the International Association of Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS), Permafrost Young Researchers Network / International Permafrost Polar Early Career Association (PYRN/IPA), Arctic Frontiers/Akvaplan- niva, and the High North Academy), APECS members Scientists (APECS) were nominated as representatives in committees and groups such as the Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) 2013 Scientifi c Steering Committee, » 8 Capacity Building the International Polar Initiative (IPI) Steering Group, the Scientifi c Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Standing Scientifi c Groups and for the SCAR delegates meeting, the International Arctic System Much like the rest of the Polar Research world, APECS for Observing the Atmosphere Knowledge to Action had a transitional and reinvigorating 2012. Highlighted Steering Committee (IASOA KASC), and Arctic Council in the middle of the year by extensive participation in IASC recognizes that the next generations of With these instruments, IASC aims to include more working group Conservation of the Arctic Flora and the “From Knowledge to Action” IPY 2012 Conference, researchers will be faced with increasingly critical young researchers from the starting phase in Fauna (CAFF). We want to thank all of our partners for 2012 was fi lled with APECS action from start to fi nish. challenges due to the impacts of climate change the organization of workshops, science planning making these opportunities possible and for helping on these regions and their global significance. IASC activities and research programs. Last year, more Perhaps the biggest change for APECS this year was to train the next generation of polar scientists! therefore believes that it is of great importance than 76 Early Career Scientists received IASC travel a transition in the APECS International Directorate. APECS also focused on upgrading its main platform to foster these young researchers and promotes stipends to attend conferences or workshops (see The new Director of APECS is Dr. Alexey Pavlov, an for communication – the APECS website. APECS not and involves early career scientists working in the table on page 97). outstanding young scientist from the Arctic and only has a new look, but also new functionality for Arctic by: Antarctic Research Institute in St. Petersburg, Russia. members to fi nd and connect with each other which IASC has an offi cial partnership with the Association Alexey’s enthusiasm and energy will help APECS we like to call the “Polar Facebook.” In addition, we ũ Striving for representation of early career of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) to further the to develop further and motivate young leaders to made the structure even easier for our members to researchers in the organization; professional development of early career researchers. collaborate and shape the future of polar research. In a Memorandum of Understanding, IASC and SCAR navigate. The new set of social networking options ũ Providing endorsement, support and recognizes APECS as the preeminent organization for The APECS membership has seen continued growth helps to connect with other young scientists dissemination of information on activities, young researchers working in the Arctic, Antarctic in 2012; we have more than 3700 members from 76 and colleagues, send messages, fi nd out contact projects and request for participation; and and cryospheric regions. countries! This year alone, eight new APECS National information, create groups to meet, collaborate, ũ Providing travel grants to early career Committees were (re-)established: Canada, Oceania initiate discussions, share fi eldwork photos/videos, scientists for selected conferences. (New Zealand/Australia/Tasmania), the Netherlands, and much more. APECS is committed to maintaining Denmark, USA Northeast chapter, Bulgaria, Belgium our strong collaboration with IASC and its members and Spain. Internationally, APECS organized more than for our career development resources, including the 40 international panels, workshops, and fi eld schools Cool Speakers database, fi eld schools listings, funding together with our partners and in conjunction with resources, jobs listings, event calendar, and more. major polar conferences and meetings – including As always, APECS is organizing many activities online the IPY Montreal conference and in conjunction with for APECS members worldwide. We have expanded the Arctic in Rapid Transition project in Sopot, Poland our Research Feature concept which will help to during October 2012. highlight not only research within one discipline, but One of the major priorities of the APECS leadership also interdisciplinary topics such as the International this year was to strengthen connections with our Polar Week, the Svalbard Network, the International partners, including IASC. In addition to a range of new Polar Year, the Russian Arctic, and many others in the
PHOTO: APECS Council Meeting during the IPY 2012 Conference in Montréal.
92 93 8 CAPACITY BUILDING 8 CAPACITY BUILDING coming year. The APECS Education and Outreach continued advocacy for building a continuum in edu/ART/), with a progression from a networking stage committee has been very active in 2011-2012 with the polar research. Of particular interest to the IASC Arctic in Rapid to phases centered on data collection, modeling and very successful organization of Antarctica Day 2011 community will be the APECS career development synthesis. and two Polar Weeks in March and September 2012 workshop paired with Arctic Science Summit Week Transition (ART) which are celebrated together with IASC, the Arctic 2013 – check out the latest at apecs.is/assw2013! The uniqueness of ART in the vast panorama of Arctic Research Consortium of the US (ARCUS), the newly APECS is also partnering with IASC and a number of An emerging network linking time-scales, scientific networks and programs is arrayed along five established Polar Educators International (PEI), and other international polar organizations to coordinate disciplines and generations to better under- original aspects: (1) ART was entirely developed and is led by Early Career Scientists (ECS), with the ongoing SCAR. the scheduling and organization of polar events stand the changing Arctic Ocean worldwide. Stay up to date on the latest highlights support by an advisory board; (2) it is international In addition, APECS added to our career development at http://apecs.is and read our full Annual Report at and aims at integrating knowledge beyond regional ART is an international scientific network focused resources by expanding the webinar series and http://apecs.is/2011-2012-report. specificities; (3) it is inter-disciplinary, fosters data on bridging time scales, science disciplines, and monthly Virtual Poster Sessions on various topics. exchange across disciplines and aims at including geographic regions to better understand the APECS has continued to bring together new and the human dimension; (4) it has an emphasis on past, present and future response of Arctic marine experienced researchers by pairing APECS member connecting temporal scales from paleo-records, ecosystems to sea ice transitions and climate change. presentations with those of more experienced Written by: modern observations and predictive modeling; ART was originally developed with the aim of updating researchers suggested by IASC and SCAR. More Allen Pope and (5) it stresses the importance of mentoring and and refreshing the issues raised within the reports webinars are planned for the coming year with the and the 2012-2013 APECS Executive Committee knowledge transfer across generations. Those axes of the International Conference on Arctic Research great support of our new partner – the High North are supported by a series of key science questions Planning II (ICARP II) to a post-International Polar Academy. As always, you can see new and archived www.apecs.is linking physical forcings, biogeochemical-ecological Year (IPY) perspective. In that way, ART is a product content at apecs.is/webinars. processes and societal implications that form the core of the ICARP-II Marine Roundtable, an initiative of of the ART scientific program. All of the activities organized by APECS would not the former Arctic Ocean Sciences Board (AOSB), now be possible without our members, mentors, and the IASC Marine Working Group. The science and Within the framework of ART Phase I and with the aim sponsors. A special thank you goes to the University implementation plans of ART were developed during of further developing the organic identity of ART as of Tromsø, the Norwegian Polar Institute and two successful workshops that took place in Fairbanks an interdisciplinary and international network led by the Research Council of Norway for hosting and (USA) and Winnipeg (Canada) and endorsed by the ECS, ART joined forces with APECS to organize its first supporting the APECS International Directorate in MWG and IASC in 2010 and 2011, respectively. The science and training workshop. This event entitled Tromsø. APECS has also begun to invest in its own implementation of ART is following a three-phase “Overcoming Challenges of Observation to Model future by developing the institutional framework approach extending up to 2020 (http://www.iarc.uaf. Integration in Marine Ecosystem Response to Sea Ice and capacity for soliciting and accepting donations to further the APECS mission. For more information please visit http://apecs.is/donate for our funding booklet and http://apecs.is/partners-and-sponsors to see who has joined us. We want to thank all of them for their continuous help and support over the past year and are looking forward to working with you more in the coming years!
For the coming year, APECS is already planning a number of great new activities, including career development workshops and panels, webinar series in partnership with the Fram Center and the High North Academy, Polar Week outreach events, and
PHOTO: PHOTO: Meeting of APECS National Committees during the IPY 2012 Conference in Montréal. ART-APECS workshop participants, 22-26 October 2012, Sopot, Poland.
94 95 8 CAPACITY BUILDING 8 CAPACITY BUILDING Transitions” took place in Sopot, Poland, at the Institute Alexandre Forest | ART Executive Committee Overview of supported Early Career Scientists of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences (IOPAN), Takuvik Joint Laboratory, Laval University from 22 to 26 October 2012. The workshop gathered Quebec, G1V 0A6, Canada NAG Workshop Poland, January 2012 64 participants (23 PhD students, 25 post-docs and 16 [email protected] NAME INSTITUTION COUNTRY senior scientists) coming from 12 diff erent countries (lead contact) and with very various backgrounds (e.g. modeling, S. Cordeau University of Victoria Canada paleo-oceanography, marine ecology, coastal and Monika Kędra | ART Executive Committee A. M. Espanol Technical University of Madrid Spain glacier dynamics, atmospheric sciences, and social A. Ingle University Edinburgh UK Chesapeake Biological Laboratory Centre for E. Welty University Colorado Boulder USA sciences). The workshop was primarily supported by a Environmental Science, University of Maryland, A. Pope University Cambridge UK cross-cutting grant from IASC, as well as by funds from P.O. BOX 38, Solomons, MD 20688, USA A. Prominska Polish Academy of Sciences Poland the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and from S. Ojha Nepal Ministry of Energy Nepal W. v. Wychen University Ottawa Canada the Polish Academy of Sciences. [email protected]
The overarching objective of the workshop was Alexey Pavlov | APECS Director IPY Conference to bring together scientists with diverse expertise APECS International Directorate, BFE, Montreal, April 2012 and levels of experience in order to develop inter- Hyperboreum 104, University of Tromsø disciplinary research papers. A unique aspect of this 9037 Tromsø, Norway R. G. Bertelsen Aalborg University Denmark activity was to give leadership of the sub-group M. Chevallier CNRM-GAME, Météo-France/CNRS France [email protected] H. De Haas University of Groningen Netherlands discussions that led to manuscript planning to J. Dudek Jagiellonian University Poland ECS. This resulted in the conception of 8 potential P. Echeveste Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies Spain Carolyn Wegner | ART Executive Committee (chair) J. Fisher Harvard University USA papers that would deal with cross-cutting aspects GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, N. Galin Center for Polar Observation and Modelling UK of Arctic marine sciences, ranging from the physical Wischhofstr. 1-3, H. Gordon University of Wisconsin-Madison USA regime over geological and modern time-scales, to M. Heather University of Jyväskylä Finland D-24148 Kiel, Germany E. Jantze Stockholm University Sweden the biogeochemical impact of terrigenous delivery, D. Kirievskaya VNIIOkeangeologia Russia up to the responses of the carbon cycle, food web [email protected] F. Kruse University of Groningen Netherlands effi ciency, and to the implications for society. In L. Lukes North Carolina State University USA N. Morata Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, LEMAR France addition to these breakouts, the workshop consisted http://www.iarc.uaf.edu/ART/ J. Schmale Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, IASS Potsdam Germany in a coherent series of training seminars, hands-on M. Strzelecki Durham University UK practicals, plenary lectures, and poster sessions. J. P. Chaubey Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre India A. Zavadskaya Lomonosov Moscow State University, Kronotsky Nature Reserve Russia Following the philosophy behind ART and APECS, the emphasis of the workshop was thus on the active involvement and mentoring of the emerging ACSNet scientifi c generation that is progressively playing Montreal, April 2012 an increasing role in Arctic science planning and S. Cole Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution USA managing. Such framework is essential to allow for S. Knuth University of Colorado Boulder USA capacity building and empowerment within the A. Orlich International Arctic Research Center USA large cohort of new Arctic scientists recently trained in the wake of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 and other large-scale Arctic programs that took place Circum-Arctic Lithosphere Evolution (CALE) over the last decade. Vienna, April 2012
K. Brumley Standford University USA E. Gottlieb Standford University USA
96 97 8 CAPACITY BUILDING 8 CAPACITY BUILDING Vulnerability on Permafrost Carbon ART-APECS Workshop Florida, May 2012 Sopot, October 2012
NAME INSTITUTION COUNTRY NAME INSTITUTION COUNTRY
G. Grosse University of Alaska Fairbanks USA E. Choy Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the University of Manitoba Canada C. Koven Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory USA A. Condron University of Massachusetts Amherst USA D. Olefeldt University of Guelph Canada C. David Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research Germany D. Hayes Oak Ridge National Laboratory USA G. deBoer CIRES/NOAA ESRL USA B. Sannel Stockholm University Sweden S. Duerksen York University Canada V. Fofonova Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research Germany A. Forest Takuvik, Québec-Océan and ArcticNet, Université Laval Canada M. Korhonen Finnish Meteorological Institute Finland Atmosphere-Ice-Ocean Boundary Layer Processes and B. Lange Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research Germany M. Laska University of Silesia Poland Their Role in Polar Change Boulder, June 2012 M. Miernecki University of Valencia Spain C. Moritz Institut des Sciences de la Mer - Université du Québec à Rimouski Canada J. Bowman University of Washington USA M. Moskalik Department of Polar Research, Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences Poland L. Candlish University of Manitoba Canada A. Silyakova Bjerknes Center for Climate Research Norway T. Keitzl Max Planck Institute of Meteorology Germany I. Sudakov University of Utah USA/Russia B. Loose Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution USA A. Wagner Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research Germany T. Valkonen University of Helsinki Finland K. Werner GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel USA/Germany C. Wood Clark University USA
Field Workshop on Studies of Tidewater Glaciers GTN-P Workshop Svalbard, August 2012 Hamburg, November 2012
N. Berrand British Antarctic Survey UK P. Pogliotti ARPA Valle d’Aosta Italy C. Borstad Jet Propulsion Laboratory USA Y. Drocourt Swansea University UK T. Dunse University of Oslo Norway E. Enderlin Ohio State University USA A. Hamilton University of British Columbia Canada CircumArctic Rangifer Monitoring and Assessment Workshop on the C. Mortimer University of Alberta Canada global status of migratory tundra Rangifer (CARMA) Vancouver, December 2012 C. Nuth University of Oslo Norway M. Schäfer University of Lapland Finland A. Bali University Alaska USA K. Schild Dartmouth College USA J. Launspach University Northern Iowa USA P. Sharma National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research India J. Steele University Calgary Canada T. Schellenberger University of Oslo Norway R. Thorarinsdottir East Iceland Natural History Institute Iceland
PHOTO: ALLEN POPE Mass Balance research, Tarfala Station, northern Sweden.
98 99 8 CAPACITY BUILDING 8 CAPACITY BUILDING PHOTO: MARTINA SCHÄFER Reindeer in the sun during glaciological fieldwork near the Polish Polarstation in Hornsind, Svalbard.
100 101 Bulletin 2013 Bulletin 2013 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations Bulletin 2013 Acronym Full name
AACA Adaptation for a Changing Arctic A ABC Arctic Biodiversity Coalition AC Arctic Council ACA Arctic Change Assessment ACCESS Arctic Climate Change Economy and Society ACCOnet Arctic Circumpolar Coastal Observatory Network ACD Arctic Coastal Dynamics ACIA Arctic Climate Impact Assessment ACSNet Arctic Climate System Network AFWG Arctic Fisheries Working Group AGG Action Group on Geosciences AGU American Geophysical Union AHDR Arctic Human Development Report AIDA Atmospheric Investigations on a Drifting observatory over the Arctic Ocean AMAP Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program AntClim21 Antarctic Climate Change in the 21st Century AntEco State of the Antarctic Ecosystem AnT-ERA Antarctic Thresholds – Ecosystem Resilience and Adaptation AntETR Antarctic Ecosystems: Adaptations, Thresholds and Resilience AODS Arctic Ocean Drift Study AOS Arctic Observing Summit AOSB Arctic Ocean Sciences Board APECS Association of Polar Early Career Scientists APEX Arctic Palaeoclimate and its Extremes ARR Arctic Resilience Report ART Arctic in Rapid Transition ARCDIV NET Network for ARCtic Climate and Biological DIVersity Studies ARCUS Arctic Research Consortium of the US ASI Arctic Social Indicators ASSW Arctic Science Summit Week ASTER Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer AWI Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research B BipAG Bipolar Action Group C CAFF Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna CALE Circum-Arctic Lithosphere Evolution
102 103 Bulletin 2013 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Bulletin 2013 Acronym Full name C Acronym Full name I CBMP Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program IAI International Antarctic Institute CHRN Circumpolar Health Research Network IAMAS International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences CliC Climate and Cryosphere Project iAOOS integrated Arctic Ocean Observing System CMIP Coupled Model Intercomparison Project IASOA International Arctic System for Observing the Arctic CPE Comité Polar Español IASC International Arctic Science Committee CSIC Spanish National Research Council IASSA International Arctic Social Sciences Association CVII Commission on Volcano Ice Interactions IAVCEI Intern. Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth‘s Interior D ICAM International Continental Arctic Margins DACA-13 Davos Atmospheric and Cryospheric Assembly 2013 ICARP International Conference on Arctic Research Planning DBO Distributed Biological Observatory ICASS International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences E ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea ECORD European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling ICSU International Council for Science ECS Early Career Scientists IGS International GPS Service ECV Essential Climate Variables IJCH International Journal for Circumpolar Health EGU European Geophysical Union IMBIE Ice sheet mass balance inter-comparison exercise EIWG Extractive Industries Working Group IMAU Institute for Marine and Atmospheric research Utrecht EOC Education, Outreach and Communication INCHR International Network for Circumpolar Health Research EPB European Polar Board INTERACT Intern. Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic ESA European Space Association IODP Integrated Ocean Drilling Program ESSAS Ecosystem Studies of Sub-Arctic Seas IOPAN Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences ESF European Science Foundation IPA International Permafrost Association ESM Earth System Models IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change F IPD International Polar Decade FARO Forum of Arctic Research Operators IPA International Permafrost Association FRISP Forum for Research into Ice Shelf Processes IPI International Polar Initiative G IPY International Polar Year GAPHAZ Glacier And Permafrost HAZards in mountains IPY IPO International Polar Year International Programme Office GCM Global Climate Model ISAC International Study of Arctic Change GCOS Global Climate Observing System ISAR 3 Third International Symposium on Arctic Research GDEM Global Digital Elevation Model (GDEM) ISMASS Ice Sheet Mass Balance and Sea Level GEUS Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland IUGG International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics GIA Glacial Isostatic Adjustment J GIC Glacier and Ice Cap JC Joint Committee GICAC Glaciers and Ice Cap Assessment Consortium JSC Joint Scientific Committee GLACIODYN Dynamic Response of Arctic Glaciers to Global Warming K GLIMS Global Land Ice Measurements from Space KOPRI Korea Polar Research Institute GRACE Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment L GRASP The Greenland Analogue Surface System Project LoA Letter of Agreement GTN-G Global Terrestrial Network for Glaciers LOICZ Land-Ocean-Interactions in the Coastal Zone GTN-P Global Terrestrial Network on Permafrost M GTOS Global Terrestrial Observing System MARUM Centre for Marine Environmental Sciences I MOSAiC Multidisciplinary drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate IACS International Association of Cryospheric Sciences MoU Memorandum of Understanding
104 105 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Bulletin 2013 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Bulletin 2013 Acronym Full name N Acronym Full name S NAG Network on Arctic Glaciology SPARC Stratospheric Processes And their Role in Climate NCAOR National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research SRP Scientific Research Programme NcoE Nordic Centre of Excellence SSG Scientific Steering Group NERC National Environment Research Council SVALI Stability and Variations of Arctic Land Ice NERI National Environmental Research Institute SWIPA Snow, Water, Ice and Permafrost in the Arctic NPI Norwegian Polar Institute T NRC National Research Council TICOP Tenth International Conference on Permafrost NSF National Science Foundation TRANSSIZ Transitions in the Seasonal Sea Ice Zone NWP Numerical Weather Prediction U NySMAC Ny-Ålesund Science Managers Committee UAF University of Alaska Fairbanks O UArctic University of the Arctic OGS National Institute of Oceanography and Experimental Geophysics UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea OSC Open Science Conference UNIS The University Centre in Svalbard P W PAG Pacific Arctic Group WCRP/CliC World Climate Research Program/ Climate and Cryosphere Project PAIS Past Antarctic Ice Sheet Dynamics WG Working Group PAN Polar Archeology Network WGMS World Glacier Monitoring Service PAST Gateways Palaeo-Arctic Spatial and Temporal Gateways WMO World Meteorological Organization PCSP Polar Continental Shelf Program WWF World Wildlife Fund PEI Polar Educators International PI Principal Investigator PIC Polar Information Commons PICES The North Pacific Marine Science Organization POLENET Polar Earth Observing Network PONAM Polar North Atlantic Margin PYRN Permafrost Young Researchers Network Q QUEEN Quaternary Environment of the Eurasian North R RCM Regional Climate Model RCN Research Coordination Network S SAC State of the Arctic Coast SAI Stefansson Arctic Institute SAON Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks SCAR Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research SCICOM Science Committee of ICES SDWG Sustainable Development Working Group SEARCH Study of Environmental Arctic Change SERCE Solid Earth Response and influence on Cryosphere Evolution SG Steering Group SIOS Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System
106 107 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Bulletin 2013 ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS Bulletin 2013