Beringia 2005 Expedition organized by the Swedish Polar Research
Secretariat, Summer 2005 on the ice-breaker Oden
For more information see the expedition website:
http://www.polar.se/english/expeditions/beringia2005
The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat is organizing a research
expedition to the Beringia-region in the summer of 2005 using the
ice-breaker Oden as a platform. The scientific focus and logistical
framework for the expedition have been outlined, based on interests
expressed by the Swedish research community and by scientists and
representatives of research organizations in Russia and the United
States. An international workshop for the design of the Beringia 2005
expedition was held in Stockholm in November 2002.
The Beringia 2005 expedition can be seen as a completion of earlier
tundra ecology efforts: Tundra Ecology 1994 along the entire
Eurosiberian Arctic coast, and Tundra Northwest 1999 along the Canadian
Arctic archipelago and Nunavut.
The Beringia 2005 scientific programme is expected to be focused mainly
on:
Terrestrial research: Beringian biocomplexity - causal processes
Themes:
- Biodiversity - patterns and evolution
- Ecosystem trophic interactions
- Migration
- Biogeography - past and present
- Human dimensions
Marine research: The role of the Arctic Ocean in the climate system:
Themes:
- Water mass variability and circulation patterns
- Atmosphere-ocean interactions
- Geology and geophysics of the Arctic Ocean
- Biogeochemical cycles
- Land-shelf-basin interactions
A call for proposals is under distribution among the scientific
community in Sweden and a selection of Swedish candidate projects will
be made by the Swedish Polar Research Committee in spring 2003. There is
a strong ambition to make this an international venture and to develop
collaborative arrangements with arctic organizations operating in this
region. Hence, we would encourage scientists to integrate their research
with Swedish counterparts as well as to approach their own
organizations, which then are welcome to establish a direct relation
with the Polar Research Secretariat in order to work out joint
agreements.
For further information please contact Dr. Magnus Tannerfeldt,
scientific co-ordinator.
E-mail: magnus.tannerfeldt [at] polar.se.
Web site: http://www.polar.se/english/expeditions/beringia2005
Preliminary route, geographical areas and time frames for Beringia 2005
Leg 1. Beginning of June - mid July
Marine research during transit from Scandinavia along the northern sea
route to Pevek/Chukotka Peninsula. No or limited station time.
Leg 2.
A. Mid July - mid August. Terrestrial research at selected sites along
the north slope of the Chukotka Peninsula (incl. Wrangel Island) and the
north slope of Alaska (possibly incl. St. Lawrence Island). Short visits
(2-3 days) at sites ashore, from the vessel.
B. Mid July - mid August. Marine research from the ship might be
possible during the time, and in the area, under A above.
C. Beginning of July - mid August
Terrestrial research at selected sites on the east coasts of Kamchatka
and the Chukotka Peninsula (incl. islands in the area). Short visits
(2-3 days) at sites ashore, from the vessel or by air transport from
Petropavlovsk and Anadyr.
D. July - August
Semi permanent camps in southern Alaska and on the Chukotka Peninsula.
Leg 3. Mid August - end of September
Marine research along a transect from northern Alaska over the polar
basin to Scandinavia. Preferably this voyage will be made in cooperation
with another ship.