A unique international environmental research and monitoring platform

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1 A unique international environmental research and monitoring platform Prof. Dr. Karin Lochte Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar an Marine Research in the Helmholtz Association

2 Climate change in the Arctic Simulated Temerature changes using ECHHAM / MPI-OM: IPCC scenarios A1B

3 Ny Ålesund - an international center for environmental research in Svalbard Location: N, E Northernmost research facility operated year round Kongsfjord Previous coal mining settlement Research base since 1968

4 Why research in Ny Ålesund, Svalbard? Unique conditions for excellent research in the Arctic: Excellent research facilities in the High Arctic for different disciplines Good access year round Well developed infrastructure (Kings Bay AS) Close neighbourhood of 11 nations Coordination of the research in Ny-Ålesund within Ny-Ålesund Science Managers Committee (NySMAC) and Svalbard Science Forum (SSF)

5 Why research in Ny Ålesund, Svalbard? Geographical position Excellent opportunities for studies of ecosystem changes following global environmental changes. Strong oceanic and atmospheric transport patterns allow studies of environmental pollution and its effects on the food chain. Ideal to observe changing Arctic ice cover and its albedo. Position underneath the magnetospheric cusp allows for unique studies of energy balance between layers of the atmosphere The location of Svalbard allows for dense satellite monitoring.

6 The nations in Ny-Ålesund Norway Germany France Great Britian Japan Korea China Italy The Netherlands India Sweden

7 Collaborative marine biological research in the new MARINE LABORATORY in Ny Ålesund/Svalbard

8 International cooperations Contributions to various global observation IPY clusters with activities in Svalbard networks European and international projects International joint programmes, e.g. the International Polar Year 2007/2008 How to coordinate all these research activities?

9 Ny-Ålesund Science Managers Committee - NySMAC Ny-Ålesund Science Managers Committee NySMAC Established 1994, present Chair: Japan 16 member institutions from 10 countries with research interests in Ny Alesund, NySMAC Tasks: Enhances cooperation and coordination amongst the research activities Ensures high environmental standard of research Provides advice on research planning and infrastructure development

10 Svalbard Science Forum Svalbard Science Forum Board: appointed by the Interministerial Committee on Polar Affairs Chair: The Research Council of Norway Secretariat: at Svalbard Science Center, Longyearbyen Tasks Information: On logistics, projects, events and research bases Facilitation: Scientific coordination, organisation of workshops Scholarships Research in Svalbard Database (RiS) -Archive for all research activities in Svalbard since 1998

11 Research and Education in Svalbard The University Centre in Svalbard (UNIS) -Provides a unique environment for education -Attracts guest lecturers from all over the world New: Longyearbyen Science and Education Forum (LYSEF) (established 2008) -Links research institutions, education & tourism. -Contributes to high environmental standards during scientific operations in Svalbard.

12 Integration of the research activities Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIAEOS) A proposal to the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) The goal of the SIAEOS proposal is to establish an Arctic Earth Observing System in and around Svalbard that integrates the studies of geophysical, chemical and biological processes from all research and monitoring platforms.

13 Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIAEOS) Organize all infrastructure and all research and monitoring activities into four observation platforms being landbased, sea-based, glacier/ice-based and space/air-based Assess the present infrastructure and activities to identify gaps and weaknesses in the system. Invest in additional infrastructure and activities to close these gaps Establish a Knowledge Centre in Longyearbyen for data assessment, storage and delivery, education and outreach, cooperative efforts, and input to Earth System modeling Take actions to coordinate the SIAEOS initiative with complementary ESFRI efforts as well as other Earth Observation Systems and related modeling efforts

14 Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIAEOS)

15 The Joint French-German AWIPEV research base Koldewey-Station Alfred-Wegener-Institute for Polar and Marine Research Jens Kube Rabot and Corbel Stations Institut Polaire Paul Emile Victor Anne Hormes

16 The Joint French-German AWIPEV research base established in May 2003 by combining existing stations from AWI & IPEV to - increase French-German co-operation - make joint calls for proposals and joint evaluation - share complementary investments - share personnel and logistics stations Koldewey, Rabot, Corbel share - common project administration and on site management -common budget

17 Tasks of AWIPEV research base to promote French, German and international polar research projects on Svalbard to be a platform for short, medium, and longterm projects supporting with logistics, facilities, on-site personnel

18 Facilities of AWIPEV Blue house Observatory Rabot Station Corbel Station Vaskeriet Int. Marine Laboratory Scooter Garage

19 Facilities of AWIPEV Infrastructures & Services - supporting up to 24 guests simultaneously - offices, seminar room, high speed internet, etc. Laboratories - dry and wet labs, optical labs, workshops - atmospheric observatory - clean air observatory at Corbel station Field support & technical operation, maintenance - boats & snow scooters - necessary field & safety equipment - maintenance and routine operation of continuous measurements

20 Research topics Investigation of Snow algae Multi-year Marine research With divers Observatory for Meteorology, Ozone research, Seismology, Permafrost Birds and their ecophysiology Investigations of Snow atmosphere interaction

21 Atmospheric Research Stratosphere: - Ozone depletion and related processes Troposphere: -Snow-Atmosphere interactions -Aerosol measurements -Heavy metals in precipitations Source: Rex et al., 2002

22 Biological research in the ecosystem Kongsfjord Biology of macroalgae (e.g.uv-effects) Food chain (e.g. lipids as trophic markers) Physiology of seabirds (e.g. breeding) Terrestrial biology (Aphids as idicators)

23 ERICON - AURORA BOREALIS Development of an European Research Icebreaker and Deep-Sea Drillship Technical Details Large Ice Breaker with two moon pools Capable to drill under ice cover Drill capacities max. 5000m water depth and 1000 m coring depth Total length 201 m Width 49 m Draft ca. 11 m Max. Speed 15 kn Crew + Scientists 120 First studies Funded by:

24 Wishes for the future of the international integrated research platform in Ny-Αlesund - Hands on education for the next generation of scientists in Earth System Science -Improved and well coordinated observations systems and data -(Even more) Progress in shared logistics (Ships, planes, stations..)

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26 The permanent research stations in Ny-Ålesund Sverdrup Station (Norwegian Polar Institute) AWIPEV Arctic Research Base (Alfred Wegener Institute, Institut Paul Émile Victor) Space Geodetic Observatory (Space Geodetic Observatory, Norwegian Mapping Authority) Harlandhuset (British Antarctic Survey, National Environmental Research Council) Rabben Station (National Institute for Polar Research, Japan) Yellow River Station (Chinese Arctic and Antarctic Administration) DASAN Station (Korea Polar Research Institute) Netherlands Arctic Station (Arctic Centre of the University of Groningen) Dirigibile Italia (National Research Council of Italy)