28 March 2025 | 08:30 - 10:00 (MDT)
Open Session - HYBRID
Room: UMC Second Floor - 235
Organisers: Øyvind Paasche (NORCE, Norway); Tore Furevik (NERSC, Norway); Nalan Koc (Norwegian Polar Institute, Norway)
Session Description:
Arctic climate change fundamentally transforms ecosystems and the services they provide, upon which human societies depend. In the Arctic Ocean, the sea ice is rapidly diminishing, and it is projected that in just a few decades the Arctic Ocean will be ice-free in summer, revealing a new open blue ocean. Changes are not confined to the surface. Underneath, changes in the ocean currents, biogeochemistry, and ecosystem structure and function are also occurring. This is coupled with increased human activities such as new transportation routes, tourism, and fisheries. Norway, as well as the rest of the Arctic nations, are faced with great challenges related to managing our valuable ocean resources in this ´new´ Arctic Ocean. A broad Norwegian community of 18 universities and research institutions is now aiming to establish an ambitious and interdisciplinary 10-year research program aiming to generate the knowledge needed to face these challenges: Arctic Ocean 2050. The programme will constitute a major part of the Norwegian efforts in the upcoming International Polar Year (IPY). While having a geographical focus on the European sector of the Arctic Ocean, it will be designed to foster international collaboration and a more holistic perspective on the Arctic.
Instructions for Speakers: Oral presentations in this session should be at most 12-minutes in length, with an additional 2-3 minutes for questions (unless more detailed instructions are provided by session conveners). See more detailed presenter instructions here.
Oral Presentations:
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unfold_moreEnvironmental forecasting for a sustainable Arctic — Michael Tjernström
Michael Tjernström 1
1 Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, Stockholm UniversityFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
Forecasting weather and environment are of paramount importance for Arctic societies, for planning everyday activities, for resource development, tourism and search-and-rescue. Weather forecasting has been revolutionized over the last decades, however, several factors conspire to limit this service for the Arctic. Lack of conventional and inadequate satellite observations, insufficient data-assimilation combined with poor model representations of Arctic-specific processes together leaves the Arctic less well served. This is exacerbated by rapid climate change altering conditions making traditional knowledge obsolete while increased access for shipping, exploration and tourism expose even more people to risks.
Mid-latitudes weather forecasting has reached a point where one-day forecasts are 80-90% accurate, useful forecast-lengths are approaching over a week and ensemble forecasting extends usefulness into several weeks, while warnings for extreme weather with serious societal effects rarely fails. Forecast systems are also increasingly becoming coupled to other parts of the Earth’s system, for example ocean and sea-ice and we are entering the era of environmental forecasting.
This vital service must be realized also in the Arctic. This requires a concerted action by both modelling and observational communities with an Arctic focus. Weather service and climate modeling community must join forces, modelers collaborate with observational community and with scientific shipborne expedition operators. Data assimilation must be tailored to a satellite-dominated observation system and models must adequately represent Arctic atmospheric, sea-ice and ocean processes and as a positive side effect, climate modeling and therefore Arctic climate scenarios will also improve. This development must be underpinned by the societal needs.
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unfold_moreThe Pan-Arctic DBO network; evolution, ambitions and will to collaborate — Arild Sundfjord
Arild Sundfjord 1; Kumiko Azetsu-Scott 2; Lee Cooper 3; Karen Frey 4; Jacqueline Grebmeier 5; Maia Hoeberechts 6; Jinyoung Jung 7; Laura Whitmore 8; Craig M. Lee 9; et al.
1 Norwegian Polar Institute; 2 Department of Fisheries and Oceans; 3 University of Maryland; 4 Clark University; 5 University of Maryland; 6 Ocean Networks Canada, University of Victoria; 7 Korean Polar Research Institute; 8 University of Alaska Fairbanks; 9 University of WashingtonFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
A Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO) has been operational for more than a decade in the Pacific Arctic region. Building on this international collaborative model, three additional DBOs are being established in other key Arctic regions; together these four DBOs comprise the Pan-Arctic DBO network. The core idea is that ongoing climate change and its effects can best be observed and detected through coordinated long-term observations at key locations. Observational capacity is optimized through complementary approaches including ships of opportunity, observing systems and community-based observations.
The DBOs are identifying shared priorities including key phenomena and relevant indicators to study, harmonizing data sampling and analysis protocols, and working towards improved data sharing to facilitate better decision-making. The DBOs enable intra- and inter-regional comparisons and connectivity studies, aim to provide standardized data for model assimilation and evaluation, and data for validation of new space-borne sensors.
An ambition of the Pan-Arctic DBO network is to expand and pivot from the current predominantly open ocean coverage towards coastal regions, in close partnership with Indigenous and local communities. This will benefit both communities and researchers and will be based on priorities and methods of the local partners, and respect Indigenous data sovereignty.
The Pan-Arctic DBO network could be a strong component of a future unified Arctic Observing System. The partners share a will to collaborate beyond the network, e.g. with the next Synoptic Arctic Survey and the Arctic Ocean 2050 program, to optimize the Arctic marine community’s efforts towards, during and beyond the upcoming IPY.
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unfold_moreArctic Ocean 2050: new research for a sustainable ocean management — Øyvind Paasche
Jørgen Berge 1; Yasemin V. Bodur 1; Tor Eldevik 2; Maria Fossheim 3; Tore Furevik 4; Nalan Koç 5; Are Olsen 2; Øyvind Paasche 6; Davor Vidas 7
1 UiT The Arctic University of Norway; 2 University of Bergen; 3 Institute of Marine Research; 4 Nansen Environmental and Remote Sensing Center; 5 Norwegian Polar Institute; 6 Norwegian Research Centre; 7 Fridtjof Nansen InstituteFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
The Arctic Ocean undergoes severe climate change-induced transformations, and political as well as commercial interest in the region are increasing. These changes bear challenges which need to be addressed by a sustainably managed Arctic Ocean. The new research project Polhavet 2050 – Arctic Ocean 2050 (AO50) unites 18 Norwegian research institutions for the coming decade to address the knowledge gaps that emerge with a transforming Arctic Ocean. By studying the Arctic Ocean as one interconnected system, AO50 aims to set the baseline for the development and implementation of strong management principles and policies in the region. For achieving this aim, international collaboration is essential, and the synthesis of data, models, and knowledge covering the entire Arctic Ocean and adjacent shelf seas together with international partners will be a key focus of the project.
AO50 is organized along five research themes (global drivers and feedback, the changing Arctic Ocean, abrupt changes and extreme events, humans and a blue Arctic Ocean, advances in modelling and observing), unified in an overall synthesis theme (Arctic Ocean pathways). A common focus across all five axes are the physical environment, biogeochemistry, biology and governance. By contributing to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development during the forthcoming International Polar Year 2032-2033, the project will provide a foundation for a long-term international research effort. As such, AO50 will generate baselines for a sustainable management for environmental protection, socio-economic development and international collaboration in the region.
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unfold_moreNational and international Cooperation in the Arctic Ocean - examples from three GoNorth expeditions — Margit Simon
Margit Simon 1; Øyvind Paasche 1; GoNorth Consortium 1
1 Norwegian Research Institute (NORCE)Format: Oral virtual
Abstract:
The GoNorth consortium, launched to support Norway's Arctic continental shelf claim, exemplifies the country's commitment to international Arctic research. It has mobilized Norwegian universities and institutions for scientific expeditions to study the Arctic Ocean's seabed, geology, water columns, and sea ice. Funded by five national ministries, GoNorth coordinates joint cruises based on evaluated applications for ship time.
GoNorth’s expeditions have fostered international collaboration, essential for tackling the Arctic’s complex challenges. Recent fieldwork involving partnerships with German, Swedish, Danish and other international scientists is helping to map and understand key features of the Arctic seafloor and marine environment. These collaborative efforts have contributed to a holistic understanding of the Arctic Ocean’s changing dynamics, bringing together expertise from across disciplines and nations to inform responsible stewardship.
These targeted expeditions have already led to key discoveries and provided an important testbed for Norwegian-led multidisciplinary seagoing field campaigns. In 2022, seismic studies in the Nansen Basin and Knipovich Ridge revealed new insights into the subsea geology. The 2023 expedition, carried out in collaboration with German researchers, addressed the Gakkel Ridge exploring one of the world’s slowest-spreading mid-ocean ridges. In 2024, the research aboard Kronprins Haakon and Swedish ship Oden targeted unexplored areas like the Yermak Plateau, discovering new geological features and collecting vital oceanographic and sediment data from the seafloor.
We will summarize recent field campaigns, discoveries, and the future outlook for Polar Ocean exploration as Norway's two major Arctic research initiatives unite under the national Arctic Ocean 2050 program, aiming for comprehensive mapping and exploration over the next decade.
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unfold_moreRecent achievements and future research directions from the international, multidisciplinary PolarRES project — Priscilla Mooney
Priscilla Mooney 1
1 NORCE, Bjerknes Centre for Climate ResearchFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
The PolarRES project is a large international project consisting of 16 leading polar research institutes and universities that is financed by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme for Research and Innovation. Despite the crucial role of the Polar Regions in the global climate system, there are still critical gaps in our knowledge of polar climate processes across multiple scales, and how they are responding to global climate change. PolarRES investigates key physical and chemcial processes at the atmosphere-ocean-sea ice interface in both the Arctic and Antarctic. By understanding these processes and the interactions between different components of the polar climate system, PolarRES explores new ways to develop more reliable climate projections in the Polar Regions. Thus enabling a new understanding of the impacts of climate change for society and the environment. As the project enters its final year, this talk will reflect on the knowledge gaps that this international team has addressed and outline future research directions to further narrow these knowledge gaps and others.
Poster Presentations (during Poster Exhibit and Session on Wednesday 26 March):
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unfold_moreArctic Ocean 2050: new research for a sustainable ocean management — Jørgen Berge
Jørgen Berge 1; Tor Eldevik 2; Maria Fossheim 3; Tore Furevik 4; Nalan Koç 5; Øyvind Paasche 6; Davor Vidas 7; Yasemin Bodur 1
1 UiT The Arctic University of Norway; 2 University of Bergen; 3 Institute of Marine Research; 4 National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center; 5 Norwegian Polar Institute; 6 Norwegian Research Centre; 7 Fridjof Nansen InstituteFormat: Poster in-person
Poster number: #253
Abstract:
The Arctic Ocean undergoes severe climate change-induced transformations, and political as well as commercial interest in the region are increasing. These changes bear challenges which need to be addressed by a sustainably managed Arctic Ocean. The new research project Polhavet 2050 – Arctic Ocean 2050 (AO50) unites 18 Norwegian research institutions for the coming decade to address the knowledge gaps that emerge with a transforming Arctic Ocean. By studying the Arctic Ocean as one interconnected system, AO50 aims to set the baseline for the development and implementation of strong management principles and policies in the region. For achieving this aim, international collaboration is essential, and the synthesis of data, models, and knowledge covering the entire Arctic Ocean and adjacent shelf seas together with international partners will be a key focus of the project.
AO50 is organized along five research themes (global drivers and feedback, the changing Arctic Ocean, abrupt changes and extreme events, humans and a blue Arctic Ocean, advances in modelling and observing), unified in an overall synthesis theme (Arctic Ocean pathways). A common focus across all five axes are the physical environment, biogeochemistry, biology and governance. By contributing to the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development during the forthcoming International Polar Year 2032-2033, the project will provide a foundation for a long-term international research effort. As such, AO50 will generate baselines for a sustainable management for environmental protection, socio-economic development and international collaboration in the region.