Documents

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP01: COs and Cross Linkages Meeting – Agenda

Purpose

For the first time the Chief Officers (COs) and Cross Linkages meeting will be held jointly – this is to improve efficiency (normally this involves two separate meetings, which have many identical agenda items) and to reduce cost and travel.

The meeting will be jointly chaired by Graham Hosie (SSG-LS Chief Officer) and Mike Sparrow (SCAR Executive Director). Renuka Badhe (SCAR Executive Officer) will be Rapporteur.

The cross linkage is a forum to discuss ongoing and future interactions between the SSGs, new SRPs etc. The focus this year will be on interactions between/ with the new SRPs and on any new joint groups formed over the last year.

The COs meeting is intended to allow the COs to discuss items of interest/concern in advance of the EXCOM meeting, not to repeat the entire EXCOM agenda 2013-07-). It is really an opportunity for the COs to discuss matters on the agenda (or off it!) that they wish to highlight to EXCOM. Note that in order to encourage open and frank discussion the only member of EXCOM to attend this meeting is the Executive Director.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP02: Chief Officers and Cross-Linkages Meeting Report

20 July 2013

Purpose

For the first time the Chief Officers (COs) and Cross-Linkages meetings were held jointly – this is to improve efficiency (normally this involves two separate meetings, which have many identical agenda items) and to reduce cost and travel.

The meeting was jointly chaired by Graham Hosie (SSG-LS Chief Officer) and Mike Sparrow (SCAR Executive Director), and Renuka Badhe (SCAR Executive Officer) was Rapporteur. Other meeting attendees were Bruno Danis, Don Cowan, Steven Chown, Julian Gutt, Terry Wilson, John Storey, Berry Lyons and Maurizio Candidi. Francyne Piera and Rebeca Zapata were early career observers. Guido di Prisco was an observer. Carlota Escutia and Nancy Bertler sent apologies.

The cross-linkage is a forum to discuss ongoing and future interactions between the SSGs, new SRPs etc. The focus this year was on interactions between / with the new SRPs and on any new joint groups formed over the last year.

The Chief Officers / Cross-Linkages Meeting Agenda can be found in infomation paper 1 (IP01).

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP03: The International Polar Initiative (IPI)

Executive Summary

Title: The International Polar Initiative

Authors: M Sparrow

Introduction/ Background: In order to facilitate the concept of an International Polar Initiative (IPI) a Concept Note Steering Group was formed from representatives of AMAP, APECS, EPB-ESF, IASC, IASSA, ICSU, IOC, SCAR, WMO, UoA and UNEP. The Executive Director represented SCAR, but included the rest of the Executive Committee in the discussions. A website for further information has now been set up by the Canadian Polar Commission and the latest version (December 2012) of the Concept Note can be downloaded from the IPI website.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:  EXCOM are requested to note progress and comment as appropriate

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:  If approved the IPI could result in improved coordination between organisations and more efficient use of resources. It should be noted that this is a ‘top-down’ initiative and buy-in from the Antarctic Community at least is still a challenge.

Partners: AMAP, APECS, EPB-ESF, IASC, IASSA, ICSU, IOC, WMO, UoA and UNEP…

Budget Implications: No funds requested as yet

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP04: Southern Ocean Observing System 2013

Executive Summary

Title: The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS)

Authors: Louise Newman, Oscar Schofield, Michael Meredith, Mike Sparrow, Ed Urban

Introduction/ Background: The Southern Ocean influences climate, sea level, biogeochemical cycles and biological productivity on a global scale. Many of the most difficult and pressing issues faced by society—how to mitigate and adapt to climate change and sea-level rise, how to manage the effects of ocean acidification, and how best to conserve marine resources and biodiversity—cannot be addressed effectively without improved understanding of Southern Ocean processes and feedbacks and their sensitivity to change. The most urgent research challenges in the Southern Ocean often span traditionally separate scientific disciplines. The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) provides the sustained, integrated, multi-disciplinary observations required to meet these challenges.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: SOOS greatly appreciates the support provided by SCAR for the annual Scientific Steering Committee meeting, and requests that this support is continued for 2014.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:  Continuation of the support for the SSC meeting will ensure participation by all SSC members, which is imperative for planning and implementation of SOOS objectives.

Partners: SCOR also provides support for the annual SOOS SSC meeting. Additionally, SOOS has received 2 offers to host the 2014 SSC meeting (for locations in Australia and Norway). A decision on location will be made by the end of June The level of support provided by the host is still to be determined and will be a contributing factor to the decision on meeting location.

Budget Implications: 8 000 USD are requested to support the 2014 SSC meeting.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP05: SCAR Products

Executive Summary

Title: SCAR Products

Authors: M Sparrow

Introduction/ Background:  For the benefit of SCAR scientists and the wider community (including the Committee for Environmental Protection), SCAR provides several products that support the work of SCAR scientists but are also made widely available to others. These products provide scientific information in a form that is useful to scientists and others, for example providing meteorological data (Met-READER) or biodiversity data (e.g. biodiversity.aq) in a more easily usable format or providing access to information on bathymetry in the Southern Ocean (IBCSO).

A full list of SCAR Products is available from: http://www.scar.org/researchgroups/productsandservices/

Important Issues or Factors:  Highlights over the last year include the production of IBCSO Version 1.0, publication of BEDMAP 2 and amalgamation of SCAR MarBIN and ANTABIF into Biodiversity.aq

Partners: SCAR products rely on national efforts to lead with the SCAR Products. Some Products are joint with other organisations e.g. IBCSO is SCAR, IODC and the IHO.

Budget Implications: Some products receive support from the SSGs

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP06: Partnerships

Executive Summary

Title: Partnerships

Authors: M Sparrow

Introduction/ Background: In pursuit of its Vision and Mission, SCAR often forms partnerships as an efficient means to achieve its goals and objectives.  SCAR’s partners include other ICSU bodies, entities of the Antarctic Treaty System, organizations with a polar focus, and organizations with a polar interest. The types of partnerships SCAR form vary considerably since each is tailored to best accomplish the shared objectives.  In some instances, formal co-sponsorship of an activity is warranted entailing shared responsibility for programme management and resourcing. SCAR is always open to, and looking for ways, to strengthen existing partnerships and establish new ones.

This paper summarises recent developments with regards to SCAR partnerships. EXCOM are asked to comment as appropriate.

Partners: APECS, IASC, IACS, COMNAP, CCAMLR, ICSU, SCOR, WCRP, PEI etc.

Budget Implications: Co-sponsorship does involve some budgetary commitments. This is $3000 for CliC (as previous) and $5000 for other co-sponsorships such as CLIVAR/CliC/SCAR Southern Ocean Implementation Panel, IPICS and ICED. The SOOS SSC is also jointly co-sponsored with SCOR to the sum of $8,000. SCAR often supports APECS activities through its CBET budget line.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP07: Antarctic Conservation for the 21st Century – A Comprehensive Strategy

Executive Summary

Title: The Antarctic Conservation Strategy

Authors: SC-ATS Chief Officer, S.L. Chown

Introduction/ Background: In recognition of growing use of and environmental threats to Antarctica, as well as something of a piecemeal approach to SCAR concerning various conservation threats, a proposal was made to the SCAR Delegates for a major activity to develop a Conservation Strategy for Antarctica. The last comprehensive approach was the IUCN/SCAR Antarctic Conservation Strategy that predated the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.

Important Issues or Factors: A comprehensive modern, evidence-based strategy for Antarctic Conservation is not available. This is a substantial problem for conservation of the continent based on the best science. Development of the strategy will also identify knowledge gaps that SCAR could help fill as part of its vision to re-assert international leadership in Antarctic science.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:  SCAR continues to take the lead here in this collaboration with various partners including Antarctica New Zealand, COMNAP, Monash University, British Antarctic Survey and South Africa.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: A comprehensive conservation strategy that identifies conservation threats, establishes ways to deal effectively with them, and highlights science requirements for effective conservation of the region.

Partners: Antarctica New Zealand, Monash University (PolarWorks), COMNAP, British Antarctic Survey.

Budget Implications: Through its partners, SCAR has managed to leverage substantial funding. This has included contributions from New Zealand and South Africa, as well as personally from S.L. Chown from Martha T. Muse award funds for the 2011 Antarctic Conservation Horizon Scanning Meeting, and has further obtained contributions from Antarctica New Zealand and COMNAP for the development of the strategy and for additional workshops. An amount of $ 100 000 is committed for 2013 and a similar amount for 2014. Most of these funds (c. $ 90 000 p.a.) have been leveraged from outside organizations.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP07: Antarctic Conservation for the 21st Century – A Comprehensive Strategy: Appendix 1

Journal paper:

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP07: Antarctic Conservation for the 21st Century – A Comprehensive Strategy: Appendix 2

Journal paper:

Terauds A. et al. 2012. Conservation biogeography of the Antarctic. Diversity and Distributions, 18, 726–741.

Aim To present a synthesis of past biogeographic analyses and a new approach based on spatially explicit biodiversity information for the Antarctic region to identify biologically distinct areas in need of representation in a protected area network.

Location Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic.

Methods We reviewed and summarized published biogeographic studies of the Antarctic. We then developed a biogeographic classification for terrestrial con- servation planning in Antarctica by combining the most comprehensive source of Antarctic biodiversity data available with three spatial frameworks: (1) a 200-km grid, (2) a set of areas based on physical parameters known as the environmental domains of Antarctica and (3) expert-defined bioregions. We used these frameworks, or combinations thereof, together with multivariate techniques to identify biologically distinct areas.

Results Early studies of continental Antarctica typically described broad biore- gions, with the Antarctic Peninsula usually identified as biologically distinct from continental Antarctica; later studies suggested a more complex biogeography. Increasing complexity also characterizes the sub-Antarctic and marine realms, with differences among studies often attributable to the focal taxa. Using the most comprehensive terrestrial data available and by combining the groups formed by the environmental domains and expert-defined bioregions, we were able to identify 15 biologically distinct, ice-free, Antarctic Conservation Biogeo- graphic Regions (ACBRs), encompassing the continent and close lying islands.

Main conclusions Ice-free terrestrial Antarctica comprises several distinct bio- regions that are not fully represented in the current Antarctic Specially Pro- tected Area network. Biosecurity measures between these ACBRs should also be developed to prevent biotic homogenization in the region.

Keywords Antarctic biodiversity, biogeographical zones, conservation planning, ice-free Antarctica, spatial ecology, sub-Antarctic biogeography.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP07: Antarctic Conservation for the 21st Century – A Comprehensive Strategy: Appendix 3

Cover page and table of contents

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP08: The Antarctic Environments Portal – A SCAR Collaboration

Executive Summary

Title: The Antarctic Environments Portal

Authors: SC-ATS Chief Officer, S.L. Chown

Introduction/ Background: The Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) is charged with providing advice to Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs) on the implementation of the Environmental Protocol, including minimizing or mitigating environmental impacts of activities in the Antarctic Treaty area, the state of Antarctic environments and the need for scientific research related to the implementation of the Protocol. SCAR in turn provides advice to the CEP, often in collaboration with Parties to the Treaty, about key scientific advances that have policy implications.

Important Issues or Factors: SCAR, New Zealand, and Australia see that there is a pressing need to improve the availability of, and access to, scientific syntheses and high quality information to inform decision-making to support the effective implementation of the Protocol. The Environments Portal being developed primarily by New Zealand is a vehicle to do just that.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:  SCAR continues its involvement, through SC-ATS, with the Portal as a primary mechanism for delivering science advice to the Treaty.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:  A vehicle to give additional effect to SCAR’s vision of re-establishing its pre-eminence as a scientific advisor to the Antarctic Treaty System (in keeping with the 2011-2016 strategic plan) in a cost effective manner, and which leverages the benefits of significant partnerships.

Partners: Antarctica New Zealand, Australian Antarctic Division, Monash University

Budget Implications: SCAR has already committed US$ 10 000 to the Portal via SC-ATS. The budget expectations for 2013 and 2014 are in the order of $ 2 500 p.a. for travel. Most of the major costs will involve time from SC-ATS (through Monash University) as part of the Conservation Strategy work.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP09: Martha T Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica

Executive Summary

Title: Martha T Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica

Authors: R. Badhe

Introduction/Background: The Martha T. Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica is a prestigious US$100,000 unrestricted award presented to an early and mid stage career researcher in the fields of Antarctic science or policy. The award recognizes and honors individuals with the potential for sustained and significant contribution that enhance understanding and/or preservation of Antarctica. The Prize is a legacy of the International Polar Year 2007-2008. It is administered by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and awarded by the Tinker Foundation. The Selection Committee for the Prize consists of six members of the Antarctic Community representing as highly respected and diverse backgrounds (geopolitically, by discipline and by gender) as possible.

Important Issues or Factors: Established in 2009, the Muse Prize has gained global recognition within the Antarctic and general science community. Prize recipients have had international representation with winners from South Africa (2009), USA (2010), Portugal (2011), Australia (2012), UK (2013).

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: Initial funding from the Tinker Foundation was provided for 5 years for the Martha T. Muse Prize. Funding has just been confirmed for the next 5 years (2014-18 inclusive). Possibilities of holding a Colloquium of all 5 winners, are being discussed with the Tinker Foundation.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: The contribution of the Muse Prize towards honoring early and mid career leaders in Antarctic science and policy is in line with SCAR’s aims. The SCAR mission is to “be the leading non-governmental, international facilitator and advocate of research in and from the Antarctic region, to provide objective and authoritative scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty and others, and to bring emerging issues to the attention of policy makers”. The Muse Prize allows SCAR to contribute towards its mission by meeting strategic plan aims to: i) encourage excellence in Antarctic and Southern Ocean research, II) developing the capacity of early career scientists, and III) identify evolving issues and emerging frontiers in Antarctic science.

Partners: Tinker Foundation

Budget Implications: The Muse Prize pays towards for the salaries of EO and AA, a total contribution of USD 15,257 for 2013.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP10: SCAR – COMNAP Fellowships

Executive Summary

Title: The SCAR and COMNAP Fellowship scheme

Authors: K Lochte, R Badhe

Introduction/ Background: The 2013 SCAR – COMNAP Fellowship scheme closed on the 4th of June 2013. The selection committee consisted of EXCOM members, SSG/SRP Officers (or their representatives), members of the CBET group, representative of COMNAP. In total there were 25 valid applicants (18 Female and 7 Male; subject-wise 21 biology and 4 others).  Due to the large quantity of biology proposal, and to prevent any one of the evaluation team having to take on a large burden, the tasks were divided up, depending on the subject of both the reviewer and applicant. Each reviewer was given at maximum 6 proposals to review. A spreadsheet of all the applications is attached as appendix, as requested by EXCOM.

Important Issues or Factors: EXCOM were asked to approve the selection of the 2013 fellowships, based on the recommendations of the Review Committee.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: The Fellowship program is one of the key capacity building activity that SCAR undertakes. The Secretariat has been asked to give a higher profile to the SCAR Fellows (Actions CS13-6, D12-46) and from this year, we are offering each scholar USD 500 towards travel to the SCAR OSC in order to highlight the scholars at the OSC.

Partners: For 2013, this was a joint effort with COMNAP, and the SCAR-COMNAP Fellowships were advertised together with the CCAMLR Scholarship scheme for 2013.

Budget Implications: Total budget for SCAR Fellowships was $55,000 (including a voluntary USD 15,000 contribution from Germany) for the year 2013. Thus 4 full and one part fellowship (with COMNAP) could be awarded in 2013.

Delegates are requested to consider making voluntary contributions to the Fellowship Scheme and to widely advertise the scheme nationally and internationally.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP11: Visiting Professor Scheme

Executive Summary

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP13: The SCAR Website

Executive Summary

Title: The SCAR Website

Authors: M Sparrow

Introduction/Background: The SCAR web site is the major outlet for the organization to communicate with its members, the general public and scientists interested in SCAR’s work. However the current version is out of date and is very much internally focused on SCAR groups. The next generation SCAR website has been designed to appeal to a much wider audience, including the general public, funders, educators, policy makers, and journalists. The new web site will be a collaborative work-space, allowing the SCAR groups to manage their own space by using a Content management System.

Website functionality will include News Feeds, Events Calendar, Members only areas etc. The contract with Redwire (the company chosen to do the design work) includes an element of training for the SCAR staff, though the system will be designed to be as simple as possible. A low- bandwidth version of the website will also be available for e.g. those connecting in from the Antarctic region.

Important Issues or Factors: The design for the new templates (see next page) for the website are (as of end June) almost complete. The SCAR Secretariat will be responsible for transferring most of the current content across, which is not a minor task. Interns will assist in this work. The old website will be archived and still accessible so we do not lose the historical content.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP14: Other Communication Activities

Executive Summary

Title: Other Communications Activities (social networking, publications, SCAR Newsletter, etc.)

Authors: R Badhe, E Griffin, M Sparrow

Introduction/ Background: SCAR increases the visibility of the organization and its activities through Communication. SCAR develops cooperation with partners; mobilizes resources; effectively links the Secretariat staff with SCAR’s Executive Committee, scientific activities, and other Antarctic organizations; ensures that all SCAR members are aware of opportunities to participate in SCAR; and establishes SCAR as the preferred source of scientific information for policy makers, scientists and journalists looking for information with respect to scientific issues in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean region.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:  Increased visibility for SCAR, and dissemination of information in a range of matters, in order to create maximum impact.

Partners: National Antarctic Organisations’ PR groups, other international organisations like COMNAP, IASC, Science Media Center, etc.

Budget Implications: A standard publication budget of $2000; additional requests are made as required. 

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP15: XXXIII SCAR Biennial meetings Including the 2014 SCAR Open Science Conference

Executive Summary

Title: XXXIII SCAR Biennial meetings including the 2014 SCAR Open Science Conference

Authors: Bryan Storey

Introduction/ Background: Biennial SCAR meetings and Open Science Conference to be held in Auckland NZ.  See web site www.scar2014.com.

Important Issues or Factors: General organizational details. 

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:  

1. Discuss an additional Delegate reception with  ICSU
2. See budget items below
3. Decision on Abstract handling
4. Do we have any additional room requirements (e.g. SCAR receptions)?

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:  

1. Avoid additional expense by securing rooms early
2. Stronger links with ICSU
3. Reduce financial burden on host nation, New Zealand.
4. Increased efficiency for handling abstracts

Partners: COMNAP, ICSU.

Budget Implications:

1. $20k to support international student registrations: $10k Major Meeting Fund plus a suggested additional $10k (cf Portland 2012).
2. If Abstract handling covered by LOC then  $20k to cover abstract handling charges by the local organizing committee for the OSC 2014: Covered by reassigning Secretariat Salary assigned for this purpose.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP16a: ISAES Meeting 2015

Executive Summary

Title: ISAES 2015

Authors: N Pant

Introduction/ Background: The 2015 ISAES Meeting will be held in Goa in 2015

Important Issues or Factors: The 12th International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Science (ISEAS 2015) will be held in Goa and the likely venue is the Mariott, Dona Paula, Goa. A national advisory committee and a Steering Committee are initially planned to be established for which approval from the concerned ministry is being sought. Besides others, the steering committee is proposed to include Dr. S. Rajan, Director, National Center for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR), Dr. Rahul Mohan Gupta (NCAOR), Dr. Michael Sparrow, Executive Director, SCAR and Naresh Chandra Pant, University of Delhi. The first meeting of the steering committee is expected to be held during September 2013.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP16b: SCAR OSC/Business/Delegates’ Meetings 2016

Executive Summary

Title: SCAR OSC/Business/Delegates’ Meetings 2016

Authors: A Samah

Introduction/Background: The 2016 SCAR Open Science Conference, Business Meetings and Delegates’ Meeting will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Important Issues or Factors:

The main local organisers of the 2016 meetings will be MOSTI, Academy Sciences Malaysia, the Sultan Mizan Antarctic Research Foundation and the National Antarctic Research Centre. We have yet to determine the suitable date, I expect sometime in June or July in Kuala Lumpur at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. We have not yet made the booking awaiting discussion with discussions with the SCAR Executive Director in October in Kuala Lumpur. One suggestion for the theme is the connectivity of the polar regions and the tropics or the global significance of Antarctica. Since this is the first time an Asian country is undertaking the OSC it is also relevant to tap into the vision of the emerging Asian countries about Antarctic and the Arctic. So Malaysia will also try to get other non-traditional players such Turkey, Pakistan, Iran, Singapore and Indonesia to be interested in polar and specifically Antarctic research.

Issues such as glacier melt and sea level rise and thermohaline weakening has a great relevance since the maritime continent and the west Pacific warm pool are also major global climate drivers of ENSO-La Nina that impact on the polar region. We hope to broaden engagement with scientists working on the monsoon and also working on tropical biodiversity with those from the polar region.

SCAR EXCOM 2013 IP17: SCAR Membership

Executive Summary

Title: Membership

Authors: M Sparrow, J López-Martínez

Introduction/ Background:  The membership of SCAR currently comprises 37 National Members (Venezuela having joined in 2012) and 9 Union Members*.  Increasing the membership of SCAR has obvious advantages, both by engaging more countries in Antarctic Science and SCAR as well as increasing SCAR revenue.

Important Issues or Factors:

With regards to potential new members there have been conversations with or expressions of interest from Turkey, the Czech Republic (who became a Consultative Member of the Antarctic Treaty in 2013), Iran, Kazakhstan, Austria and Colombia. Belarus is also increasing activities and is a potential future member.

During the 2013 Antarctic Treaty Meeting in Belgium on May 2013 face-to-face discussions were held with representatives from Austria, Turkey, Colombia and the Czech Republic and it is likely that these countries at least will apply for associate membership over the next 1-3 years.

As of the end of 2012 no country is more than 1 year in arrears with its membership payments

Budget Implications: New members would increase the resources available to SCAR.

*International Astronomical Union (IAU), International Geographical Union (IGU), International Union for Quaternary Research (INQUA), International Union of Biological Sciences (IUBS), International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG), International Union of Geological Sciences (IUGS), International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC), International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS), Union Radio Scientifique International (URSI)