Opis zadań
4.1 Work Packages (WPs)
WP 1 Zarządzanie, Popularyzacja, synteza i baza danych
WP 1 prowadzący Jan Marcin Węsławski
Start-end date May 2013 – April 2016
Objectives
WP 1 major aims are to integrate the GLAERE research internally, and to promote the project results externally, between wider scientific community and the potential end-users (e.g., policy-makers, advisory bodies, national polar bodies, research councils, research managers, or conservation groups). WP 1 also includes scientific coordination and communication components, and data management. Within data synthesis component we will coordinate activities in different WPs, plan the logistics of research cruises and land expeditions, organize GLAERE workshops, and finally summarize knowledge gathered in all GLAERE WPs. We will summarize the results, formulate the conclusions and issue recommendations for ecosystem-based management of the Arctic under the climate change. In particular we will cooperate with the CAFF (Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna) of the Arctic Council by providing up-to-date data on changing environment. Data collected are going to be stored in NPI and IOPAS data repositories, and will be made available as soon as the research papers are published. Knowledge transfer in GLAERE is understood as a process of disseminating the scientific expertise between the project researchers, scientific community and selected groups of stakeholders. The most important tools include publications of scientific papers in highly-ranked journals, conference presentations and direct contacts with decisionmakers and other stakeholders’ representatives. In particular we plan to prepare the GLAERE synthetic paper that will summarize knowledge gathered by specialized groups and will cover all scales of the project (all partner will be involved). We will also contribute with GLAERE (meta) data to international data bases (e.g., OBIS). Public outreach main objective is to translate science gathered in all GLAERE WPs in order to incorporate it into wider political and cultural discourses. Ultimately these actions should increase public awareness of the climate change consequences in the Arctic. This module will be achieved through a pack of popular science materials available on the project web site. The most evident actions will include the popular science book (on the role of glaciers for Arctic wildlife), lessons scenarios and cooperation with schools. Management will also include financial administration, project reporting, collecting and assessing the quality of GLAERE deliverables, and organizing project meetings.
Tasks
T_1.1 Data synthesis
T_1.2 Development and implementation information and promotion plan
T_1.3 Data Management
T_1.4 Monitoring the project progress, including internal communication
T_1.5 Internal and external financial and scientific reporting
Deliverables
D_1.1 Synthetic scientific submitted M 36
D_1.2 Website launch M3
D_1.3 Detailed information and promotion plan M6
D_1.4 Progress report on dissemination M12, M24, M36
D_1.5 Popular science book M 24
D_1.6 Set of lessons scenarios downloadable from the project web-site M24
D_1.7 Quality and evaluation plan M6
D_1.8 KickOff meeting report M2
D_1.9 Mid-term meeting report M18
D_1.10 Internal mid-term monitoring Progress report M18
Milestones
M_1.1 GLAERE synthesis manuscript prepared M35
M_1.2 Specification of the website M2
M_1.3 Specification of the data base M4
M_1.4 Specification (contents and authors) for the popular science book M12
M_1.5 KickOff Meeting M2
M_1.6 Mid-term meeting M18
Interdependence with other work packages (up to 1000 characters)
This work package interlinks all other WPs. It collects data, draw general conclusions, provide administrative and financial support. The other objectives include maintaining internal and external information exchange, meeting organisation and promoting the project results to various target groups, including the broad public. All partners will be involved in WP 1 activities through the common budget managed by IOPAS.
Person*months 30
Objectives
WP 1 major aims are to integrate the GLAERE research internally, and to promote the project results externally, between wider scientific community and the potential end-users (e.g., policy-makers, advisory bodies, national polar bodies, research councils, research managers, or conservation groups). WP 1 also includes scientific coordination and communication components, and data management. Within data synthesis component we will coordinate activities in different WPs, plan the logistics of research cruises and land expeditions, organize GLAERE workshops, and finally summarize knowledge gathered in all GLAERE WPs. We will summarize the results, formulate the conclusions and issue recommendations for ecosystem-based management of the Arctic under the climate change. In particular we will cooperate with the CAFF (Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna) of the Arctic Council by providing up-to-date data on changing environment. Data collected are going to be stored in NPI and IOPAS data repositories, and will be made available as soon as the research papers are published. Knowledge transfer in GLAERE is understood as a process of disseminating the scientific expertise between the project researchers, scientific community and selected groups of stakeholders. The most important tools include publications of scientific papers in highly-ranked journals, conference presentations and direct contacts with decisionmakers and other stakeholders’ representatives. In particular we plan to prepare the GLAERE synthetic paper that will summarize knowledge gathered by specialized groups and will cover all scales of the project (all partner will be involved). We will also contribute with GLAERE (meta) data to international data bases (e.g., OBIS). Public outreach main objective is to translate science gathered in all GLAERE WPs in order to incorporate it into wider political and cultural discourses. Ultimately these actions should increase public awareness of the climate change consequences in the Arctic. This module will be achieved through a pack of popular science materials available on the project web site. The most evident actions will include the popular science book (on the role of glaciers for Arctic wildlife), lessons scenarios and cooperation with schools. Management will also include financial administration, project reporting, collecting and assessing the quality of GLAERE deliverables, and organizing project meetings.
Tasks
T_1.1 Data synthesis
T_1.2 Development and implementation information and promotion plan
T_1.3 Data Management
T_1.4 Monitoring the project progress, including internal communication
T_1.5 Internal and external financial and scientific reporting
Deliverables
D_1.1 Synthetic scientific submitted M 36
D_1.2 Website launch M3
D_1.3 Detailed information and promotion plan M6
D_1.4 Progress report on dissemination M12, M24, M36
D_1.5 Popular science book M 24
D_1.6 Set of lessons scenarios downloadable from the project web-site M24
D_1.7 Quality and evaluation plan M6
D_1.8 KickOff meeting report M2
D_1.9 Mid-term meeting report M18
D_1.10 Internal mid-term monitoring Progress report M18
Milestones
M_1.1 GLAERE synthesis manuscript prepared M35
M_1.2 Specification of the website M2
M_1.3 Specification of the data base M4
M_1.4 Specification (contents and authors) for the popular science book M12
M_1.5 KickOff Meeting M2
M_1.6 Mid-term meeting M18
Interdependence with other work packages (up to 1000 characters)
This work package interlinks all other WPs. It collects data, draw general conclusions, provide administrative and financial support. The other objectives include maintaining internal and external information exchange, meeting organisation and promoting the project results to various target groups, including the broad public. All partners will be involved in WP 1 activities through the common budget managed by IOPAS.
Person*months 30
WP 2 Fizyczne procesy wymuszająceWP 2 prowadząca Agnieszka Beszczyńska-Moller
Start-end date June 2013 - February2016
Objectives
There are two main objectives – one is based on the field work in selected model sites – here we aim to assess the circulation patterns in glacial bays. Field study will be performed in two glacial bays in Brepolen (inner part of Hornsund) and inner Kongsfjorden basin in the peak of summer melt season (late July). The work will consist of fjord hydrography (CTD measurements in fine scale, close to the glacier with the use of remotely controlled swimmers, sedimentation (sediment traps deployed near and in the distance from the main glacial plume) and light regime measurements (in situ light transmission vertical profiling and satellite imagery analyses). Archival data collected over last years by Polish hydrographers near the glacial fronts in Kongsfjorden and Hornund are going to be included into the analyses. Modeling approach will permit to provide scenarios about hydrographic consequences of glacial retreat in particular bays (to answer the question what are the conditions - depth, meltwater intensity etc., needed to produce an upwelling and estuarine circulation in the glacial bay). Second objective is the assessment of glacial bays occurrence on Svalbard, with special reference to their possible state (retreating glaciers, grounded glaciers, surging glaciers) that will allow the spatial analyze and hydrological scenarios creation (which bays are likely to be the sites of upwelling, which bays are soon becoming a mudflats etc). Data on glaciers mass balance and freshwater outflow will be incorporated into the analyses, as well as the aerial and satellite imagery analyze (cooperation with WP3). The existing literature on the Svalbard tidewater glaciers (e.g Hagen et al 1993, Blaszczyk et al 2009) will be reviewed supplied with new data. Participants are A. Beszczyńska-Möller, Waldemar Walczowski, Sławomir Sagan, Marek Zajączkowski, IOPAS PhD student and Jack Kohler from NP
Tasks
T_2.1 Establishing the data base of tidal glacier bays hydrography in selected sites
T_2.2 Assessment of the glacial bays role for coastal waters formation
T_2.3. Assessment of the euphotic layer thickness in analysed areas
T_2.4. Assessment of flow intensity and dynamics of turbid water in glacial bays
T_2.5. Establishing the data base of tidal glacier bays on Svalbard based on the archival NP data
Deliverables
D_2.1 Collection of archival data on physical environment in tidal glacier bays – M24
D_2.2 Collection of new data from the dedicated field work – M24
D_2.3 Publication about the importance of glaciers as a areas of coastal waters modification (dense water formation, freshwater outflow, suspensions export) - M34
Milestones
M_2.1 Archival material completed – M12
M_2.2 Field work data delivered to data base – M24
M_2.3 Presentation of the results at the scientific conference – M34
M_2.4 Processed data available from the web page – M34
Interdependence with other work packages (up to 1000 characters)
This work package will provide data for other work packages, and help in biological data interpretation. It will also feed the GIS work package with the spatial data.
Person*months 62
WP 3 Dane SatelitarneWP 3 prowadzący Jacek Urbański
Start - end date June 2013 – October 2015
Objectives
Remote sensing & GIS – UG – this group will collect aerial and satellite imagery for analysis of sea ice and winter ice occurrence and plume in glacial bays, will provide GIS model will assess the sediment transport and glacial retreat. Deliverables are data and maps for other work packages. The main objective of this WP is to determine the extent of winter ice in glacial bays and turbid waters plume extension in glacial bays of Svalbard archipelago. We want to know how large spatially are areas under the influence of glaciers. To achieve this Norwegian archival materials (delivered by WP2) will be reviewed and new satellite imagery with a ground truthing will be completed during summer field campaign.
Participants are: Jacek Urbański, UG scientist, UG phD student with the cooperation of WP2 members – Sławomir Sagan (IO PAN)
Tasks
T_3.1 Data base of tidal glacier fronts imagery on Svalbard.
T_3.2 Assessment of spatial extent of winter ice and turbid water plumes in summer
T_3.3 Assessment of euphotic layer thickness in analysed areas
T_3.4 GIS visualisation and model of animals distribution in glacial bays
Deliverables
D_3.1 Completition of archival data on tidal glacier fronts – M12
D_3.2 Completition of new field work data – M24
D_3.3 Publication about the importance of glaciers as a habitat for marine animals - M30
Milestones
M_3.1 Archival material completed – M12
M_3.2 Field work data delivered to data base – M24
M_3.3 Presentation of the results in the scientific conference – M30
M_3.4 Processed data presented for the web page – M30
Interdependence with other work packages (up to 1000 characters)
This work package will collect data from other work packages, visualise it in coherent way and model spatial distribution of animals.
Person*months 66
WP 4 Ssaki morskieWP 4 prowadzący Christian Lydersen
Start – end date June 2013 – October 2015
Objectives
Recent studies in Svalbard based on satellite tracking of various marine mammals have documented that these relatively restricted areas seem to be quite important for species such as ringed seals Pusa hispida (Freitas et al. 2008) and white whales Delphinapterus leucas (Lydersen et al. 2001). These prime ringed seal breeding areas have been shown to be very important hunting areas for polar bears Ursus maritimus, especially for female bears with cubs-of-the-year during the first months after they emerge from their dens (Freitas et al. 2012). In addition, during years with little sea ice these calved off glacier pieces that drift at the sea surface near the glacier fronts have been shown to be used as pupping and nursing substrates for bearded seals Erignathus barbatus and for general resting especially during the moulting period by both ringed and bearded seals (Kovacs et al. 2011). Thus, the glacier fronts in Svalbard are clearly already important habitats for various events in the life cycle of many of the marine mammals in the area, but are likely becoming even more vital refugia areas as winter sea ice declines. However, the future fate of these prime glacier front habitats is not promising since climate warming is causing the glaciers in Svalbard to melt and retreat (Kohler et al. 2007). This will be done using a combination of historical/archival data and new data collected during this project. Very detailed movement data is available from an ongoing ringed seal telemetry program http://www.npolar.no/en/research/ice/ecosystems/ringed-seals/). In the present Polish/Norwegian research program we will instrument white whales to get further information about habitat use by this highly icedependent cetacean species that is the most numerous endemic whale species in the region. Tracking studies in Svalbard conducted at the end of last century showed that this white whales used glacier fronts for foraging during summer (Lydersen et al. 2001). Recent developments in satellite tag technology and attachment methods now enable us to achieve much longer tracking records and in addition various sensors can be integrated into the tags that described the water masses that the whales are utilizing (Lydersen et al, 2002). Further, various remotely sensed data on parameters like ice distribution, sea surface temperature and primary productivity are now publically available, which enables us to do much more comprehensive analyses regarding habitat-use of the tracked animals. Thus, the primary objectives of this field-based WP are to: 1) study year-round movement patterns of white whales in the Svalbard area in relation to glacier fronts and other physical and biological conditions (e.g. sea ice, sea surface temperature, primary productivity, distance to the coast, river mouths, bathymetry, frontal regions etc.) in order to understand the current habitat requirements of white whales in this region and in order to assess potential impacts of future climate change. White whales will be live-captured and instrumented with various types of satellite tags that collect data on movement patterns and diving, and simultaneously collect hydrographic data from the water masses the whales utilize (see Lydersen et al. 2001, 2002 for details on capture methods and the first-generation CTD tag). The tracking data from ringed seals and white whales will be analyzed with regards to space use with special emphasis on quantification of time spent and behaviors performed in front of glaciers. In addition analyses will be made with regards to physical drivers with hydrographical data collected by the marine mammals themselves, as well as other ocean data, in order to understand why some glacier fronts are preferred above others.
Partners: Dr. Kit M. Kovacs Norwegian Polar Institute and Prof. Rolf A. Ims, University of Tromsø (both taking part in fieldwork, analyses, writing of papers). Spatial analyst from Poland – position to be announced upon receipt of the grant.
Tasks
T_4.1 Gathering of archival data. Collect information from various tracking programs of marine mammals in Svalbard that are relevant to the assessment of space use in front of glaciers
T_4.2 Conduct fieldwork to get new information on space use on an annual scale for white whales
T_4.3 Perform spatial analyses of space use for white whales.
T_4.4 Write scientific articles on:
1. space use of white whales,
2. marine mammals and space use related to glacier fronts.
3. Space use in relation to abiotic and biotic factors at glacier fronts.
4. Trophic relations at glacier fronts
Deliverables
D_4.1. Primary publications on space use by various marine mammal species with special regard to glacier fronts M30
D_4.2 Multidisciplinary publications on what makes some of these glaciers hot-spots for upper trophic animals - M30
D_4.3 Popular scientific articles and newspaper articles will also be made where the results from these studied will be profiled. – M30
Milestones
M_4.1. Field work completed – M24
M_4. 2. Field work report – M24
M_4. 3. Presentation of the results in the scientific conference – M30
M_4.4 Processed data presented for the web page – M30
M_4.5 Scientific publications– M30
Interdependence with other work packages (up to 1000 characters)
This work package will provide data on the food web for WP5, 6 and 7, and on the distribution pattern and modelling for WP3. It will absorb data from WP2
Person*months 20
WP 5 Ptaki morskieWP 5 prowadzący Hallvard Strøm
Start – end date June 2013 – October 2015
Objectives
Species such as the northern fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis), black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla), ivory gull (Pagophila eburnea) and glacous gull (Larus hyperboreus) are known to forage at glacier fronts and can form large aggregations from thousands to tens of thousands of individuals in front of extensive glaciers in the Atlantic Arctic Recent tracking studies, conducted in 2009-2012, indicate that glacier fronts are important foraging areas for many seabird species in Svalbard, both during the breeding and the post-breeding periods, and that these areas attract birds that breed in colonies on the Norwegian mainland, >1000s of kilometes away (Moe et al. subm., Strøm unpubl. data). However, the fundamental understanding of this phenomenon, the relative importance of glacier fronts as foraging areas for seabird and the spatial and temporal variation in use of these areas are unknown. In work package 5 we will do a detailed assessment of the importance of glacier fronts in Svalbard as foraging areas for seabirds. This will be done using a combination of historical/archival data and new data collected during this project. We will focus on the black-legged kittiwake, which is the most numerous species utilizing glacier fronts as foraging areas in Svalbard. Using direct counts of birds, combined with time-lapse cameras deployed during the breeding season at selected glacier fronts, we will assess the temporal (day/week/month) variation in the use of glacier fronts by kittiwakes and various other seabird species. This will be related to data collected in other work packages (i.e. melt water runoff) to see how distribution and abundance of seabirds are linked to the physical properties of the glacial front system. Prey availability and prey choice will be assessed by non-lethal sampling of birds when they feed at the front (in combination with work package 7). By deploying GPS-transmitters on breeding kittiwakes in colonies at different distances from glacier fronts, we will assess the relative importance of the fronts as foraging areas during the breeding season and the temporal and spatial variation in foraging patterns of the birds.
Norwegian and Polish archival materials will be reviewed and new field work will take place at two locations – Kongsfjorden through the UNISorganized ship time and Hornsund in association with the RV OCEANIA survey. Besides ship observations, work at glacial fronts/incolony work is planned both in Kongsfjorden and Hornsund, including direct observations, use of timelapse cameras and GPS tracking (2014 and 2015). Results from this work package will help to assess the importance of glacier fronts as feeding grounds for sea birds as well as supporting the GIS team with data on food and climate-indicator organisms.
Partners: Dr. Sebastien Descamps (Norwegian Polar institute), Dr. Lech Stempniewicz, senior scientist (UG), master students (UG and NP).
Tasks
T_5.1. Assess the temporal variation in the use of glacier fronts by seabirds. The temporal (day/week/month) variation in the use of glacier fronts by seabirds will be assessed. This includes an assessment of the species composition, number of birds, the exchange of birds during a given time period and eventually the geographical shift in area use following shifts in the physical properties in the glacial front system.
T_5.2. Assess the diet of seabirds feeding at glacier fronts. The diet of seabirds feeding at glacier fronts will be determined and the temporal variation analysed. Prey availability will be assessed by work packages (WP 7). Combined with data from task 1 (above) energy intake will be calculated.
T_5.3. Assess the relative importance of the glacial fronts as foraging areas for kittiwakes breeding in glacial fjords. Deploy GPS-loggers on kittiwakes breeding in colonies at different distances from glacier fronts to assess the relative importance of glacier fronts as foraging areas and the temporal and spatial variation in foraging patterns.
T_5.4. Assess the physical drivers determining the occurrence of seabirds at glacier fronts. The importance of environmental controls for the studied biota will be assessed via the statistical analysis of biological and environmental data. The archive (published and unpublished) data and results obtained during the present project will be collected and systematized. The distribution of species will be visualised with use of GIS tools.
Deliverables
D_5.1. Completion of archival data on the use of glacial bays by seabirds. Survey data and tracking data (GLS and satellite) collected by IO PAN and NPI prior to this project - M 12
D_5.2. Completion of new field work data. Data on species composition, distribution, abundance, spatial and temporal variation, diet, GPS tracking data – M24
D_5.3. Publication on the importance of glacier fronts as habitat for seabirds - M 30
D_5.4. Publication on the role of seabirds in glacial bay food web systems – M30
Milestones
M_5.1. Field work completed– M24
M_5.2. Field work data report delivered – M30
M_5.3. Presentation of the results in the scientific conference – M30
M_5.4. Processed data presented for the web page: – M30
M_5.5. Scientific publications: – M30
Interdependence with other work packages (up to 1000 characters)
This work package will provide data on the food web for WP4, 5, and 7, and on the distribution pattern and modelling for WP3. It will absorb data from WP2.
Person*months 55
WP 6 RybyWP 6 prowadzący Jørgen Berge
Start – end date June 2013 - February 2016
Objectives
One of the least known inhabitants of glacial bays are fish, despite the fact that they are more than likely very important food sources for both seabirds and marine mammals in the area. This WP will use acoustical and direct sampling methods to assess the pelagic and demersal fish occurrence within glacial bays. Echosunders Simrad EK60 70/120/200 kHz for fish and BioSonics DT-X 400 kHz for zooplankton are going to be used. In selected two test sites, pelagic trawls and fish traps will be deployed. Stomach analyses will answer the question: are the fish attracted there to a feeding ground ? Deliverable are the scientific paper presenting fish occurrence in the studied habitat, with analyse of the environmental change consequences and data for the data repository. The main objective of this WP is to determine density and patterns of occurrence of fish in glacial bays. We want to know what are the reasons that fish are present in those turbid places. Are they feeding actively there? Do glacial bays represent a permanent or more temporary habitat for the fish species occurring in glacial bays? How important are glacial bays for the fish populations and how important are fish in glacial bays for the top predators? Norwegian and Polish archival materials will be reviewed and new fieldwork is planned in two selected locations – Kongsfjorden through a cooperation with UNIS and R/V Helmer Hanssen and Hornsund with the R/V Oceania. Besides trawls and large fish larvae nets, we plan to use fyke nets and underwater cameras exposed next to baited traps to record the fish that may come to the food falls (the water near the sea bed use to be very transparent in glacial bays contrary to the surface layer). Fish will be examined for their taxonomic status, population structure, condition, stomach content and growth pattern (through the otholits reading). Results of this work package will help to assess the quality of the feeding ground for top predators birds (WP5) and mammals (WP4), as well as will support the GIS team with data on food and climateindicators organisms.
Participants are Jorgen Berge (UNIS), PhD student (UNIS). Dariusz Fey (SFI), senior scientist (SFI)
Tasks
T_6.1. Data base of fish occurrences and abundances in glacial bays. The archive (published and unpublished) data and results obtained during the present project will be collected, the species nomenclature and identity in archived materials will be verified. The distribution of species will be visualised with use of GIS tools.
T_6.2. Assessment of standing stocks and behaviour of fish in glacial bays. The biomass, size distributions and occurrence within the bay will be determined. Thus a potential food base for the higher trophic levels will be assessed.
T_6.3. Assessment of environmental controls responsible for fish species occurrences in glacial bays. The importance of environmental controls for the studied biota will be assessed via the statistical analysis of biological and environmental data.
T_6.4. Determination of the trophic structure of analysed species. Stomach analysis of collected species, position in the food web and energetic analyse will be prepared.
Deliverables
D_6.1. Completition of archival data on glacial bays fish occurrence – M24
D_6.2. Completition of new field work data – M24
D_6.3. Publication about the importance of glaciers as a habitat for fishes – M34
D_6.4. Publication on the fish role in the glacial bays food web - M34
Milestones
M_6.1. Field work completed – M24
M_6.2. Sample protocols delivered – M24
M_6.3. Presentation of the results in the scientific conference – M34
M_6.4. Processed data presented for the web page – M34
Interdependence with other work packages (up to 1000 characters)
This work package will provide data on the food web for WP4, 5, and 7, and on the distribution pattern and modelling for WP3. It will absorb data from WP2.
Person*months 73
WP 7 Niższe ogniwa troficzneWP 7 prowadząca Maria Włodarska – Kowalczuk
Start – end date June 2013 - April 2016
Objectives
This group will assess the species composition, diversity and standing stocks of pelagic and benthic communities in selected glacial bays, provide information of the food web structure, including the primary food sources as well as pelagic and benthic secondary production. Special focus will be on macroplankton and scavengers as this trophic groups seems to be of importance in glacial bays and an important link in the energy flow from the lower trophic levels to top predators. The basic understanding of environmental controls of invertebrate species distribution will be achieved and employed to assess the perspectives of glacial bays as refuges for Arctic species. Deliverables are the data on pelagic and benthic species distributions in west Spitsbergen glacial bays as well as the scientific papers presenting the processes that control invertebrates occurrence and function in the studied habitat and the analyses of the possible consequences of change.
The main objective of the WP7 is to determine the structure and function of the invertebrates in the specific habitats of glacial bays. The research question will include: What are the environmental controls of pelagic and benthic species distribution, standing stocks and productivity in studied habitats? What is the trophic structure and primary food sources (quantity/quality of organic matter) that sustain the invertebrate populations in nutrient limited areas close to glacial or glaciofluvial outflows? How the species composition, productivity and trophic structure of pelagic and benthic communities differ between glacial bays and other habitats?
Plankton and benthos will be collected in summer season in two test localities representative for rapidly warming glaciers (Kongsfjorden) and relatively cold area with stable winter cooled water (Brepolen bay in Hornsund). Variable sampling techniques will be used to adequately sample the components of lower trophic level communities: Tucker trawls (macrozooplankton), WP2 nets (mesozooplankton), epibenthic sledges (epibenthos and epibenthos and hyperbenthos), van Veen grabs (infauna), baited traps (scavengers). The qualitative and quantitative composition of plankton and benthic samples will be assessed. The biomass size distributions will be used to assess the secondary production of the key components of the trophic web. Representatives of dominant invertebrates will be collected for trophic structure analysis. Sediment traps will be deployed to assess the vertical flows of mineral and organic matter (including special traps for the dead zooplankton), sediment samples for glacial material deposition will be collected with use of corers. Isotope and lipid composition of potential food sources as well as dominant pelagic and benthic consumers (supported by stomach content analysis) will be analyzed to determine the trophic structure of the studied communities. IO PAN will use its rich archival materials for the discussion of the results and will lead the field work in Hornsund. Sea Fisheries Institute experts in taxonomy will assist in Polychaeta identification, UNIS partner will assist in field work and in analyses. The results of this work package will help to assess the quality of the feeding ground for fish (WP 6), birds (WP5) and mammals (WP4), as well as will support the GIS team with data on food and climate- indicators organisms.
Participants are Maria Wlodarska- Kowalczuk (IO PAN), Marta Głuchowska (IO PAN), Joanna Legeżyńska (IO PAN), Sławomira Gromisz (SFI) , PhD student (UNIS)
Tasks
T_7.1. Data base of pelagic and benthic species occurrences and abundances in glacial bays. The archive (published and unpublished) data and results obtained during the present project will be collected, the species nomenclature and identity in archived materials will be verified. The distribution of species will be visualised with use of GIS tools.
T_7.2. Assessment of standing stocks and secondary productivity of pelagic and benthic components of the food web. The biomass, size distributions and secondary productivity of key components of invertebrate communities will be determined. Thus a potential food base for the higher trophic levels will be assessed.
T_7.3. Assessment of environmental controls responsible for Arctic species occurrences in glacial bays and river mouths – including the glacial mineral material deposition and food supply (quantity and quality of organic matter available to invertebrate consumers). The sedimentation in water column and deposition of mineral and organic matter will be quantified. The importance of environmental controls for the studied biota will be assessed via the statistical analysis of biological and environmental data.
T_7.4. Determination of the trophic structure of pelagic and benthic invertebrate communities, including the primary food sources utilised by the key species. Stable isotope and lipid composition of the potential food sources and dominant pelagic and benthic taxa as well as the stomach analysis of selected invertebrates will be applied. The primary food sources and carbon flow pathways will be determined.
T_7.5. Writing scientific papers.
Deliverables
D_7.1. Data base of archival data on glacial bays invertebrates occurrence - M12
D_7.2. Data base of new field work data - M24
D_7.3. Manuscript of a publication about the potential importance of glacial bays as refugees for cold water species (submitted to a peerreviewed journal) - M36
D_7.4. Manuscript of a publication on the invertebrates role in the glacial bays food web (submitted to a peer-reviewed journal) - M36
Milestones
M_7.1. Field work completed - M14
M_7.2. Sample protocols delivered - M17
M_7.3. Presentation of the results in the scientific conference - M34
M_7.4. Processed data presented for the web page - M30
Interdependence with other work packages (up to 1000 characters)
This work package will provide data on the food web for WP4, 5, and 6., and on the distribution pattern and modelling for WP3. It will absorb data from WP2.
Person*months
