Joint ART-APECS Science Workshop “Overcoming challenges of observation to model integration in marine ecosystem response to sea ice transitions”

The ART-APECS Science Workshop was convened from 23-26 October 2012 in Sopot, Poland.

Description

This workshop thematically addressed the challenge of integrating modelling and observations in order to identify linkages and feedbacks between atmosphere-ice-ocean forcings and biological-geochemical processes that are key to ecosystem function, land-ocean interactions and to the productive capacity of the Arctic Ocean.

The workshop was divided in two parts: the first one (23-24 Oct.) was jointly organized with APECS and comprised training sessions on theoretical and practical aspects of marine sciences. The second part (25-26 Oct.) was dedicated to plenary talks and break-out sessions to discuss and initiate the writing of collaborative papers.

The ART-APECS Workshop was open to any scientists who share a common interest in improving our knowledge and projective capacity of the causes and implications of changing atmosphere-ice-ocean conditions on marine ecosystems on multiple time-scales.

Workshop Themes

Overarching Theme

The present-to-future interface of Arctic Ocean sciences: how can we strengthen the flux of information, knowledge and data as well as the cooperation around infrastructures, ship time and between the scientists working in distinct disciplines and Arctic Ocean regions?

Sub Themes

1. Large-scale climate/paleo models and downscaling to Arctic Ocean regions: what are the challenges to predict/reproduce sea ice, circulation and stratification?
2. Paleo-proxies, remote sensing and field observations: do we have the translation tools needed to understand recurrent biological and physical patterns and time-series?
3. Physical constraints and pre-conditioning of Arctic Ocean productivity across contrasting regimes: what do we need to observe and project ecosystem shifts?
4. Biodiversity, food webs and biogeochemical cycling: how do they link and what knowledge is needed to grasp (reduce) their complexity in ecosystem modeling?
5. Transport across the Arctic Ocean (including through ice): what are the biophysical modulators and forcing factors of vertical and horizontal fluxes of energy and matter?
6. Arctic Ocean connections: implications of permafrost thawing, enhanced hydrological cycling and sea ice decline on the role of the Arctic system as a global climate regulator

Photos

The workshop was hosted at IOPAN in Sopot, Poland.

Workshop attendees enjoying the plenary presentations.

Mid career scientists shared knowledge with early career scientists.

PhD student Katrina Bennet (IARC) discusses building science frameworks to support social and economic analysis of climate change impacts on extreme events.

Sub-group breakout to address one of the six ART themes.

After work tour of Gdansk.

Group dinner out in Gdansk.

ART Science workshop attendees outside IOPAN.

Stunning Gdansk architecture.

Stunning Gdansk architecture.

Abstracts

Abstract for all of the presentations and training sessions can be viewed here .

Venue

The workshop was held at Institute of Oceanology, Polish Academy of Sciences (IOPAN) in the seaside city of Sopot, Poland. (http://www.iopan.gda.pl/).

Agenda

The agenda for the workshop is available here.

Mentors and Invited Speakers

A list of confirmed mentors and invited speakers can be seen here.

Sponsors

The ART-APECS workshop 2012 is a cross-cutting initiative generously supported by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, the Polish Academy of Sciences & IO-PAN, the Polish SCOR, the International Arctic Research Center, the CNRS-Laval Takuvik Joint Laboratory, the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research, and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada.