1st CIRCULAR
INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM - ARCTIC FEEDBACKS TO GLOBAL CHANGE
25-27 October 2001
Arctic Centre
Rovaniemi, Finland
Sponsored by:
The Nordic Arctic Research Programme (NARP 1998-2002) and
The Academy of Finland
Organizing committee:
Dr. Peter Kuhry, Arctic Centre, Rovaniemi (Chair)
Dr. Jens H. Christensen, Danish Meteorological Institute, Copenhagen
Prof. Jon Ove Hagen, University of Oslo
Prof. Timo Järvikoski, University of Oulu
Dr. Paul Wassmann, University of Tromsø
BRIEF OUTLINE
An intercomparison of GCM results shows a remarkable consensus that
suggests a significant polar amplification of the global warming signal
and increased precipitation for the Circum-Arctic region. If these
changes occur, they would cause large-scale alterations in arctic
ecosystem function, triggering both positive and negative feedbacks that
would affect climate at regional and global scales. The international
symposium will assess, through an interdisciplinary approach, our
current understanding of processes in the Arctic that represent a
feedback to Global Change (carbon balance, ocean currents, sea level,
albedo, others). The aim is to quantify these feedbacks in different
sectors of the arctic environment and in the Arctic as a whole.
PROGRAMME
October 25 and October 26, morning (sectoral approach; keynote speakers,
oral presentations, poster session)
- Summary of GCM and RCM results for the Arctic
- The marine sector (ocean carbon balance, DMS-emissions, sea ice
albedo, deep water formation, etc.) - The terrestrial ecosystems (tundra and forest-tundra carbon balance,
surface albedo and roughness, etc.) - The freshwater ecosystems (runoff, transport of organics and
pollutants, effects on ocean productivity and deepwater formation, etc.) - The icecaps/glaciers (mass balance, effects on freshwater discharge,
deepwater formation and sea level, etc.)
October 26, afternoon (integrated approach; discussion fora)
- Greenhouse gas balance of tundra, forest-tundra and Arctic marine
ecosystems, including effects of freshwater runoff and its chemistry - Albedo on land and sea, in relation to vegetation, snow, and sea-ice
cover - Freshwater runoff from tundra, forest-tundra and Arctic
icecaps/glaciers
in relation to deepwater formation - The mass balance of arctic icecaps/glaciers and sea level
- Effects of large-scale arctic environmental pollution on marine and
terrestrial ecosystem function.
October 27 (synopsis)
- Conclusions of discussion fora
- Social perception in Arctic communities of climatic and environmental
change - Results of the meeting
- Important gaps in knowledge
- International/Nordic network
- Conference statement/press releases/publications
REGISTRATION
Early registration fee (before 21 August 2001) for professionals is FIM
500* and for students FIM 250*. Late registration fees (after 21 August
2001) are FIM 750* and FIM 375*, respectively (1 Euro is ca. 6 FIM; 1
USD is ca. 6.5 FIM). Financial support for travel, accommodations, and
registration is only provided to invited keynote speakers.
More detailed information about payment of the registration fee and
reservation of accommodation will follow in the 2nd circular, with
possibilities for on-line registration.
PRE-REGISTRATION AND CALL FOR PAPERS
Please return form by airmail, fax, or email to:
Dr. Peter Kuhry
Arctic Centre
University of Lapland
P.O. Box 122
96101 Rovaniemi
Finland
Fax: +358 16 3412777
Email: peter.kuhry [at] urova.fi
Persons responding to this announcement will automatically receive the
2nd circular, planned for early July 2001
Name:
Position:
Address:
Telephone:
Fax:
Email:
___ Yes, I would like to attend the Arctic Feedbacks symposium*
I plan to give a paper with the title:
___ As oral presentation*
___ As poster presentation*
An abstract form will be included with the 2nd circular
___ No, I am not planning to give a presentation*
- mark as appropriate