25 March 2025 | 16:00 - 18:00 (MDT)
Open Session - HYBRID
Room: UMC Third Floor - 384
Organisers: Andrew Barrett (NSIDC/NNA-CO, University of Colorado, USA); Walt Meier (NSIDC, University of Colorado, USA)
Zoom link to the Open Session (password-protected)
The password needed to connect to the session will be distributed the day prior to the start of the sessions to all registered conference participants. Further guidelines on how to participate virtually in the ASSW 2025 can be found on the ASSW 2025 website.
Session Description:
An icon of Arctic science was a researcher going into the polar environment, collecting data, and bringing it back into the lab for analysis. Data might be in notebooks, on a disk or a computer hard drive, but it would be in the hands of the researcher and their team. The data would be analyzed and a paper written. The data would be stored in a file cabinet or on a harddrive. Other scientists may reasonably request the data. But otherwise, data and software would sit gathering “dust”. There was little interaction between the researchers and people living in the Arctic.
This way of doing science is changing to an Open Science, in which the process and products of research are accessible and available to all, while respecting diverse cultures, maintaining security and privacy. This fosters better collaborations, reproducibility, equity and inclusivity.
There are many aspects to Open Science: open access publishing, open data, software, and hardware, and the development of FAIR principles for data and software. The CARE principles introduce respecting the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples. Within the Arctic, the Share principles guide researchers in working with Indigenous Peoples, focusing on relationships, accountability and respect.
In this session, we welcome submissions on implementing all aspects of open science: success stories, challenges, frustrations, future needs, and new ideas.
Instructions for Speakers: Oral presentations in this session should be at most 11-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_moreSatellite-Derived Nearshore Bathymetry in Aasiaat,Greenland: An Open-Source Approach to Coastal Mapping — Casey Brayton
Casey Brayton 1
1 Columbia University/Lamont Doherty Earth ObservatoryFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
Nearshore bathymetry is critically sparse in the Arctic, where communities face rapid coastal changes from glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) and climate change. To address this gap, we developed an open-source, low-cost methodology for deriving nearshore bathymetry around Aasiaat, Greenland, using freely available Sentinel-2 satellite data. Guided by FAIR and CARE principles, this project prioritizes open data, Indigenous data sovereignty, and respect for community knowledge and rights. We worked collaboratively with local rights holders, including hunters, fishers, and government officials, ensuring the project aligns with local priorities and knowledge systems.
The study combines empirical and machine-learning methods, including multilinear regression, support vector regression, and band-ratio regression, to develop depth models that are ground-truthed with multibeam echo sounder (MBES) data. This integrated methodology accurately predicts depths up to 12 meters in optically complex waters—characterized by turbidity, primary production, and iceberg presence—with a mean absolute error (MAE) between 1.24 and 1.86 meters. The resulting bathymetric models, provided at a 10 m resolution in open-access formats compatible with NOAA standards, are accessible to communities for diverse applications, including infrastructure planning and environmental monitoring.
This project illustrates Open Science in practice, transforming Arctic research through transparency and inclusivity. By providing open-access data and tools and empowering local community engagement, we aim to fill critical data gaps in the Arctic, enabling informed decision-making for coastal resilience. This approach offers a model for equitable Arctic research, demonstrating the value of collaborative, open-source science that respects Indigenous knowledge and rights.
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unfold_moreFrom intention to practice - APECS’ experiences in providing educational resources to foster Open Science in polar research — Axel Schlindwein
Axel Schlindwein 1; Sarah Strand 1
1 Association of Polar Early Career Scientists International Directorate, UiT The Arctic University of NorwayFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
The shift towards Open Science typically centers around accessibility and transparency in scientific output, but should also emphasize the processes that underpin research. While open data and publications are seen as the focal points, the importance of Open Educational Resources (OER) supporting the implementation of Open Science can easily be overlooked. Going from FAIR and CARE principles as an intention to an actual practice requires the polar research community to learn and contribute collectively and individually. The strong interest of early career researchers (ECRs) in advancing scientific practices needs to be responded to with learning opportunities accompanied by academic recognition of the individual capacity needed to realize Open Science.
In this contribution, we will discuss challenges and highlight practical success stories of the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists’ (APECS) activities in providing resources and opportunities for polar early career professionals. Barriers to institutional training and resources hinder equitable participation in Open Science, underscoring the need for accessible training opportunities. APECS’ initiatives, including community-curated resource databases and co-developed guidebooks, support ECRs in navigating the complex landscape of fieldwork challenges, publication processes, data repositories and equitable collaboration. A dedicated early career reviewer program and special collections highlighting work by the early career community allow for diverse participation covering all dimensions of Open Science. Such engagement and resources provide invaluable learning opportunities for early career professionals, fostering a polar community that is championing equitable and accessible science towards the next International Polar Year.
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unfold_moreMOSAiC Model Forcing Datasets — David Clemens-Sewall
David Clemens-Sewall 1; Christopher Cox 2; Kirstin Schulz 3; Don Perovich 4; Amy Macfarlane 5; Emelia Chamberlain 6; Melinda Webster 7; Ian Raphael 8; Evgenii Salganik 9; Jan Chylik 10
1 NOAA PSL; 2 NOAA; 3 University of Texas at Austin; 4 Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth; 5 UiT Tromsø, Northumbria University; 6 Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution; 7 Polar Science Center, Applied Physics Laboratory, University of Washington; 8 Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth; 9 Norwegian Polar Institute; 10 University of ReadingFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
The Multidisciplinary Drifting Observatory for the Study of Arctic Climate (MOSAiC) measured an unprecedented suite of datasets from the coupled atmosphere-ice-ocean-biogeochemical-ecological system in the Central Arctic Ocean. As the community takes the next step into more interdisciplinary science, integrating the plethora of observations of the same variables (e.g., ice and snow thickness, ocean temperature, incident shortwave radiation) collected via different methods and on different temporospatial domains presents a challenge. For example, if model simulations use different initial conditions, forcing, and validation datasets, then it will be difficult to disentangle whether differences are a result of different model physics or forcing. Additionally, users of MOSAiC data who are not deeply familiar with the data collection confront questions such as: “which ice thickness dataset should I use?” and “how do I fill temporal gaps when instruments lost power?”. In other words, easily accessible, quality-controlled, and continuous “standard” datasets are needed. The MOSAiC Model Forcing Dataset Working Group (MMFD) was formed to address this need by developing merged, temporally-complete datasets for model development and/or data assimilation. These merged datasets are self-descriptive and formatted in NetCDF using the MDF standard (https://gitlab.com/mdf-makers/mdf-toolkit).The code recipes for their production from individual data products are also published (e.g., dataset: https://arcticdata.io/catalog/view/doi%3A10.18739%2FA2GX44W6J and code recipe: https://zenodo.org/records/10819497). We present ongoing work regarding merged datasets from MOSAiC, focusing on methods for representing spatially heterogeneous snow and ice properties, discuss challenges with producing merged datasets, and explore opportunities for making observational data from MOSAiC and elsewhere more accessible and available to all.
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unfold_moreCompiling, normalizing and quality checking a pan-Arctic dataset of in situ weather observations 1990-2023 from publicly available data sources — Laura Helene Rasmussen
Laura Helene Rasmussen 1; Bo Markussen 1; Susanne Ditlevsen 1
1 Copenhagen Data Lab, Section for Statistics and Probability Theory, Institute of Mathematical Sciences, University of CopenhagenFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
Research into the effects of changing Arctic climate has been limited by large-scale in situ data availability because of the remoteness and harsh climate of the Arctic. Only recently, therefore, are hourly-to daily measurements covering most Arctic regions publicly available, but scattered in various local databases.
In this project, we obtained in situ weather data from all major Arctic regions from publicly available data sources across the Arctic with focus on the period 1990-2023. The data set, which contains 719 unique locations from 14 data sources and covers all Arctic regions, has been restructured and -formatted into a standardized data format, combined with metadata about location and elevation. It was further quality checked by running it through five optional modules of increasingly user-involved judgement-based checks. We supply the code involved in import and standardization, and the modular quality check, as well as the standardized, but unchecked data set, and the final, quality checked, data set.
The data set has the potential to benefit pan-Arctic in situ research opportunities as e.g. validation and ground truthing of modelling efforts.
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unfold_moreDiscovering Data and Products from NASA’s Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment — Elizabeth Hoy
Elizabeth Hoy 1; Peter Griffith 2; Libby Larson 2; Scott Goetz 3; Charles Miller 4
1 NASA/GST, Inc.; 2 NASA/SSAI; 4 Northern Arizona University; 4 NASA Jet Propulsion LabFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
The NASA Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE) is a multi-scale research effort addressing ecosystem vulnerability and resilience to environmental change through integrating field-based studies, data from airborne and satellite remote sensing, and modeling. Begun a decade ago, this effort includes field and airborne research in Alaska and western Canada coupled with satellite and modeling efforts which span the pan-Arctic region. This team of researchers (over 150 individual projects) plans and conducts fieldwork, creates data products, and archives/publishes final data products so as to share their research with other ABoVE scientists and the larger scientific community. There are already over 350 products planned as part of the ABoVE campaign, and over 200 of those products have been published at a NASA long-term archive facility, in alignment with the NASA Open Data policy. Here we highlight some of the newly available datasets and products created by ABoVE researchers during the campaign. We also discuss efforts to improve accessibility of these datasets to multiple audiences, including local and tribal communities, governments, and other organizations, through the creation of plain language summaries and maps that visualize the regional aspects of each dataset. This effort broadens the appeal for these data outside of their traditional use in scientific research and will allow for wider use of these datasets.
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unfold_moreExpanding Arctic Research: The Role of ArcticDEM in Data Accessibility — Cathleen Torres Parisian
Cathleen Torres Parisian 1
1 Polar Geospatial Center, University of MinnesotaFormat: Oral Virtual
Abstract:
The Polar Geospatial Center (PGC) has created the first high-resolution (2-meter) terrain map of nearly the entire Arctic, known as ArcticDEM. This groundbreaking resource is not inherently accessible or useful without addressing technical, educational, and political considerations. Data access plays a crucial role in shaping research agendas and influencing decision-making. Those who control data significantly impact the narratives and solutions derived from it.
To democratize Arctic science, the PGC provides multiple access points for ArcticDEM, enabling researchers from varying backgrounds and varying levels of technological access to participate. The data is available in various formats to accommodate different learning styles, promoting opportunities among researchers. Additionally, the PGC offers guides, documentation, and workshops to help users effectively utilize and interpret the data, fostering a supportive environment where all researchers, regardless of expertise, can engage meaningfully in Arctic research.
The Arctic’s unique and fragile ecosystem requires collaborative efforts that integrate diverse perspectives to tackle complex socio-environmental challenges. PGC believes that open access to data enhances understanding of the Arctic's dynamics. This presentation will discuss perspectives on data accessibility as a means to build an expansive Arctic research community, the challenges PGC faces in data release and integrating data principles, and ongoing opportunistic goals from the viewpoint of PGC as a science support organization.
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unfold_moreOpen Science with Arctic Community Partners: Lessons from the Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic (ELOKA) — Noor Johnson
Noor Johnson 1; Roberta Glenn-Borade 2; Ann Fienup-Riordan 3; Donna Hauser 2; Edda Mutter 4; Matthew Druckenmiller 1
1 University of Colorado Boulder; 2 University of Alaska Fairbanks; 3 Calista Education and Culture; 4 Yukon River Inter-Tribal Watershed CouncilFormat: Oral in-person
Abstract:
The Exchange for Local Observations and Knowledge of the Arctic (ELOKA) works with partners across the Arctic to develop tools and approaches to steward and share knowledge from community-led research and observing. In this presentation, we will share specific examples of practices from ELOKA and our partner network to operationalize three principles of open science as defined by the US government: 1) respecting diverse cultures while maintaining security and privacy; 2) fostering collaborations, reproducibility and equity; 3) making research products and processes open and available to all (open.science.gov). We will discuss some of the points of tension in implementing both open science and Indigenous data sovereignty and share examples of how ELOKA and our partners have addressed them. Finally, we will share examples of technological and institutional barriers to implementing open science with community partners and discuss pathways to address these challenges.
Poster Presentations (during Poster Exhibit and Session on Wednesday 26 March):
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unfold_moreBringing New Ecological Science and Communications to Reindeer Management in the Alaska Arctic — Phil Barber
Phil Barber 1; Stephanie Schmit 2; Karin Sonnen 1; Marji Patz 2
1 USDA-NRCS; 2 USDA-NRCS SPSDFormat: Poster in-person
Poster number: 500
Abstract:
Reindeer herding is a subsistence activity on Alaska’s Seward Peninsula. The United States Department of Agriculture - Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) utilizes historic range site mapping and descriptions published in the 1980s to provide technical guidance for conservation practices benefitting herding activities. Although range sites provide significant information, changes over the last 40 years are not reflected. Data is needed to expand management guidance to address shifting patterns in vegetation and lichen biomass due to changes induced by climate change, such as fire frequence, Arctic greening, and shrubification.
The Alaska Soil and Plant Science Division (SPSD) of the NRCS is developing ecological site descriptions (ESDs) across Alaska to provide a more substantial document for management. Development of ESDs for the Seward Peninsula are founded on the historic Seward Peninsula range site descriptions. Updated documents are made available by the Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool (EDIT) and Web Soil Survey (WSS) web applications. Concurrently, AK SPSD is progressively updating existing soil survey products on the Seward Peninsula, utilizing expanded data sources to develop finer concepts for soils and vegetation. Field data is used to update key management factors, including vascular and lichen biomass and natural disturbance regimes. A collaborative approach is vital to progressively developing and updating science-based ESDs into the future. Continuous improvement is reliant on project collaboration, incorporation of new and existing Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and the addition of new technology, partnerships, and research into the effects of climate change and ungulate grazing in the Alaskan Arctic.