Documents

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP02: Annotated Agenda

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP03: List of Papers

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP04: Meeting Timetable

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP05: Strategic Plan Framework

Executive Summary

Title: Strategic Plan Framework

Authors: J. López-Martínez 

Introduction/ Background: A new Strategic Plan for the period 2017-2022 should be prepared to replace the current one which covers the period 2011-2016. The new Strategic Plan should be presented to the SCAR Delegates at the XXXIV SCAR Meeting in Malaysia (29-30 August 2016) to be in place by the 1 January 2017.

Important Issues or Factors: This paper outlines a series of ideas as a background for the discussions about the Strategic Plan’s content that will take place during the extended EXCOM meeting in Tromsø. During this meeting we should prepare draft content of the Plan with the input of the Strategic Plan Team (SPT), composed of all the SCAR EXCOM members, the Secretariat staff, the SSG and SC Chief Officers and the SRP Chairs participating in the meeting. It should also be decided the steps to conduct an extended consultation and discussion process. This paper includes a proposal to conduct the discussions during the meeting and also a time-table for the actions after this meeting and up to the entry into force of the new Strategic Plan on 1 January 2017.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: It is asked to review the initial ideas and the tentative time-table for the preparation of the new Strategic Plan and discuss/approve as appropriate.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: The Strategic Plan will be a forward-looking vision of what SCAR should do to achieve its mission. It will provide an internal and external overview of SCAR, will contribute to its visibility and will be a framework and guide to conduct SCAR activities in the 2017- 2022 period.

Partners: Various

Budget Implications: The EXCOM should consider the availability of funds for a meeting of the Strategic Plan Team in spring 2016. To reduce travel and costs, this meeting would be in Cambridge with physical participation of those EXCOM members, COs and other SPT members available and having easier and cheaper journeys, and teleconference connection with the others.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP06: Report on SCAR Structural Review

Executive Summary

The SCAR Structural Review Group (RG) solicited information from the SCAR community via an online survey. The current structure of SCAR science groups was reviewed and models from other science groups were considered. A summary of survey responses was presented and discussed. The group reviewed the Standing Scientific Groups (SSGs) (including the structure of their subsidiary bodies), Scientific Research Programmes (SRPs), Standing Committees and Advisory Groups and other groups (Humanities, Social Sciences), the SCAR meeting structure, and operation of the SCAR Secretariat. This paper provides a summary of key points and recommendations from the Review Group discussions.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP07: Report of the SCAR Standing Scientific Group on Physical Sciences (SSG-PS)

Executive Summary

Title: SSG Physical Sciences

Authors: David Bromwich (Chief Officer), Maurizio Candidi (Deputy Chief Officer), and Steve Colwell (Secretary). Written contributions were received from Chief Officers of Expert Groups (EGs), Action Groups (AGs), and linked activities.

Introduction/Background: SSG-PS is responsible for 5 EGs (1 joint), 6 AGs (2 joint), and 2 Scientific Research Programs (SRPs). During 2015 it also partially funded the ACCE advisory group. EGs ASPeCT, GRAPE, IPICS, ISMASS, and OpMet have many ongoing activities, with IPICS preparing for a major international conference in 2016. Ocean Acidification and PACT are winding up their activities in 2015 or so and publications are expected. AG SERAnt wants to become an EG at the upcoming SCAR Open Science Conference. AG SnowAnt is active in particular with snow schools in Europe. AG ACA is promoting field programs aimed at fixing large errors in atmospheric models over the Southern Ocean. Reports are also included for the ACCE advisory group and the AAA SRP, but not the AG on Remote Sensing that is covered by SSG-LS nor the AntarcticClimate²¹ SRP that is covered by WP13.        

Important Issues or Factors: The AG on Ocean Acidification is seeking input on where to release its major report by the end of 2015.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: No Recommendations or actions have been received from any EG or AG.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: –

Partners: SSG-PS will continue to work with a wide variety of partners both within and external to SCAR

Budget Implications: No new funding has been requestedthrough the end of 2016. Spending of existing allocations has been slow but this is usual practice. All allocated SSG-PS funds that have not been expended or explicitly targeted for spending by end of June 2016 will be redistributed to more worthy applications, most likely participation in the 2016 SCAR Open Science Conference in Kuala Lumpur.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP08: Report of the SCAR Standing Scientific Group on Life Sciences (SSG-LS)

Executive Summary

Title: SSG Life Sciences

Authors: Graham Hosie, Marc Shepanek, Yan Ropert-Coudert, Ben Raymond, Andrés Barbosa, Kunio Takahashi, Vonda Cummings, Gary Wilson, Hans-Ulrich Peter

Introduction/Background: SSG-LS is primarily responsible for four Expert Groups and four Action Groups. SSG-LS shares two AGs with SSG-PS, these being Remote Sensing and Ocean Acidification, although all groups actively seek multi-disciplinary activities with SSG-PS and GS groups. EG-ABI and EG-BAMM have been working together on a joint analysis of the Retrospective Analysis of Antarctic Tracking database (RAATD). This has produced a very large standardised tracking data set for 14 species of bird and marine mammals which can be used for preliminary modelling and characterisation of Areas of Ecological Significance (AES). This work will of considerable interest to CCAMLR. EG-CPR recently completed a major methodology and taxonomy training workshop for personnel involved with the South African CPR programme in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean CPR Survey. A similar training workshop is being developed for India to develop their contribution to SO-CPR and SOOS. The CPR dataset is a SCAR Business Product which is widely used. Remote Sensing AG works closely with EG-BAMM and EG-ABI to monitor bird and mammal populations and species by using satellites to count animals. Remote Sensing has been working on rules for the use of drones (UAV) over penguin colonies. Action Groups ANTOS and ISSA were established last year in Auckland, SCAR XXXIII. Both AGs having major planning workshops scheduled for August 2015 and January 2016, respectively.

Important Issues or Factors: none

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: No recommendations or actions have been received from any EG or AG.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: –

Partners: SSG-LS and its AG/EGs continue to work with groups with SCAR such AntEco, AnT-ERA, SSGs, SCATS, those allied with SCAR, e.g. SOOS, those of the wider Antarctic community such as CCAMLR and CEP, and groups outside of Antarctic such as the Global Alliance of CPR Surveys (GACS) and SCOR.

Budget Implications: No extra funding has been requested above the allocations already provided. Spending to date has been slow, which is not unusual early in the biennial funding period.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP09: Report of the SCAR Standing Scientific Group on Geosciences (SSG-GS)

Executive Summary

Title: SSG Geosciences

Authors: W. Berry Lyons (Chief Officer), Jesús Galindo-Zaldivar (Deputy Chief Officer), Naresh C. Pant (Secretary). Contributions of Chief Officers of Expert Groups, Action Groups and other activities.

Introduction/Background: SSG- Geosciences is responsible for 6 Expert Groups (ADMAP, ANTPAS, ANTVOLC, GIANT, GRAPE and IBCSO) and 2 Action Groups (CGG and GeoMap). In addition there is a proposal for the final approval of Action Group on Geological Heritage and Geo-conservation. The SSG-Geosciences is also related to the activities of PAIS and SERCE Scientific Research Programmes. These groups share their activities with other groups of SSG-PS and SSG-LS. During the XXXIII Biennial Meetings (Auckland, 2014) the Antarctic Volcanism (ANTVOLC) Expert Group was approved. This group is focused on the study on different subjects related to the volcanic features and activity in Antarctica, including the advice for volcanic crisis. Besides this in 2014 the SSG GeoMAP Action Group was also approved. This AG promotes the compilation and integration of geological mapping and surficial features in Antarctica. In 2015, the XII International Symposium on Antarctic Earth Sciences (ISAES) was held in Goa (India), with an attendance of more than 400 scientists of 27 countries. This symposium has provided an opportunity of sharing and discussion of the geological knowledge on key issues in Antarctica and promoted the meeting of different groups.

Important Issues or Factors: The new groups ANTVOLC and GeoMap are progressing and started their different activities. The proposal on the Action Group on Geological Heritage and Geo- conservation is completed and presented to be approved by the ExCom.The SSG-Geoscicences recognize the success of the ISAES 2015, and congratulates the organizing committee.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: SSG-Geosciences support the final approval by the ExCom of Action Group on Geological Heritage and Geo-conservation. No additional recommendations or actions have been received from Expert and Action Groups.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: All the groups continue adequately their activities improving the integration of Antarctic researches and the scientific results in their fields. It is remarkable that the new compilation of magnetic anomalies ADMAP 2 is nearly ready and also other SCAR products like the high-resolution bathymetry map in the Drake Passage is also likely to be released soon.

Partners: IAVCEI – International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth’s Interior.

Budget Implications: ANTPAS has requested additional funds. No additional funding has been requested by other groups.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP10: Report on AAA (Astronomy and Astrophysics from Antarctica)

Executive Summary

Title: Astronomy & Astrophysics from Antarctica (AAA)

Authors: J. W. V Storey, on behalf of the AAA Steering Committee

Introduction/Background: Broadly stated, the objectives of Astronomy & Astrophysics from Antarctica (AAA) are to coordinate astronomical activities in Antarctica in a way that ensures the best possible outcomes from international investment in Antarctic astronomy, and maximizes the opportunities for productive interaction with other disciplines.

The SCAR AAA SRP Planning Group was proposed at the Hobart XXIX SCAR in 2006. Creation of the AAA SRP was approved at the Moscow XXX SCAR Delegates Meeting in 2008. AAA held its first formal meeting as a Scientific Research Prorgam in August 2010 in Buenos Aires, followed by a kick-off meeting in Sydney in June 2011. Further major meetings have followed in Portland (2012), Siena (2013) and Auckland (2014).

Important Issues or Factors: At this stage, AAA is functioning well, with no significant problems. We have recently replaced roughly half of our Steering Committee members as part of a planned rotation, and will replace the remainder in 2016.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: None requested.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: Based on the recommendations of the 2014 external review, AAA is placing a greater emphasis in future on outreach and education, both to the general community and to SCAR member countries with less developed astronomical programs. AAA has also organised an exhibition booth for the two-week duration of the upcoming international Astronomical Union (IAU) meeting in Honolulu. This booth will be staffed by volunteers, and aims to raise the profile of both SCAR and Antarctic astronomy within the broader astronomical community.

Partners: No formal partners, although the International Astronomical Union (IAU) is a Union Member of SCAR.

Budget Implications: Continuing funding is requested at the approved level.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP11: Report on AntEco (State of the Antarctic Ecosystem)

Executive Summary

Title: State of the Antarctic Ecosystem (AntEco)

Authors: Jan Strugnell, Huw Griffiths, Aleks Terauds, Pete Convey and the AntEco Steering Group.

Introduction/ Background: The Scientific Research Programme – AntEco (State of the Antarctic Ecosystem) has a focus on understanding and clarifying the processes driving patterns of biodiversity in all environments across the Antarctic, sub-Antarctic and Southern Ocean regions. The programme prioritises applied research and aims to provide scientific knowledge on biodiversity that can also be used for conservation and management.

Important Issues or Factors: Since its formal inception in 2013, AntEco has focused on building and extending research networks, facilitating research that is aligned with the research priorities of the programme, and publishing research findings. Members have not only published papers in high quality journals, but also ensured that findings are disseminated widely, through conference symposia, media and popular articles. Publications in high quality journals continue to be a priority, and we are currently on track to exceed the ambitious targets set out in the implementation plan. One of the primary goals of AntEco is to foster collaboration between scientists, institutions and countries. To this end, AntEco has provided several letters of support for a number of large-scale multinational research proposals. AntEco has secured a research cruise, largely funded by the British Antarctic Survey, to investigate the biodiversity, biogeography and the Marine Protected Area in the South Orkney plateau. This expedition includes AntEco participants from 16 institutes and 9 countries. As a group, we invested considerable time and resources into the 2014 SCAR OSC, with three workshops and a diverse range of sessions, all of which were very well attended. We also supported a session at the 2015 ISAES meeting in Goa, India. Over the next year, AntEco will not only continue to support new research, but also focus on the delivery of advice to stakeholders, in particular the ATCM through the CEP.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: Given the substantial progress made in its first two years, and the momentum that is building in the AntEco research community, we recommend that the delegates (1) note and approve of AntEco actions to date, and (2) continue to support AntEco at current levels for the next two years.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: Continuing support will allow the number and quality of important publications to continue, will ensure outreach delivery, facilitate advice to stakeholders and enhance SCAR’s profile and reputation.

Partners: All outputs to date involve partners and collaborators both within and external to SCAR. So far these groups include SC-ATS, EG-BI, AnT-ERA, CAML, APECS, and a range of research institutional partners. Cross-disciplinary and cross-group collaborations will continue to be a driving theme in AntEco supported research.

Budget Implications: To achieve the objectives and goals over the next two year period, we request that funding is maintained at $US20 000 per year.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP12: Report on AnT-ERA (Antarctic Thresholds – Ecosystem Resilience and Adaptation)

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP13: Report on AntClim²¹ (Antarctic Climate Change in the 21st Century)

Executive Summary

Title: AntarcticClimate²¹

Authors: N. Bertler, T. Bracegirdle, A. Khan, P. Mayewski, J. Russell, J. Turner

Introduction/ Background: The overarching question of this research initiative is: How will the Antarctic / Southern Ocean environment change over the 21^st Century? To achieve this goal, AntarcticClimate²¹ focuses on three themes of research:

• Objective 1. Quantification of Antarctic climate variability.
• Objective 2. Climate model verification for the Antarctic region.
• Objective 3. Antarctic climate projection to 2100 AD

To understand the significance of recent trends in the context of natural variability, we consider changes on a multi-century time scale that are relevant to improve climate projections, the attribution of the causes of environmental change, and the skill of earth system models in the Antarctic / Southern Ocean region.

Important Issues or Factors: AntarcticClimate²¹ successfully achieved important milestones for objectives 1 and 2 over the past 12 month. We published the conclusions from our first workshop addressing Objective 1 “Quantification of Antarctic Climate Variability’. Morever, we held our second workshop focusing on Objective 2 – Climate model verification for the Antarctic region, and published recommendations for a standardized approached for testing and reporting climate model experiments for CMIP6. In addition, we contributed to an AnT-ERA led publication on the first assessment of the cumulative impact of climate change stresses on the Antarctic ecosystem and contribute and co-sponsor to the first AnT-ERA / AntEco / AntarcticClimate²¹ workshop to improve our understanding of the vulnerability of the Antarctic / Southern Ocean ecosystem to current and future global change. Finally, the approval of the NSF supported Southern Ocean Carbon and Climate Observations and Modeling (SOCCOM) program (co-led by Prof. J.Russell) catalyzes our efforts especially to improve the modeling skill for oceanographic processes.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification AntarcticClimate²¹ represents a large and growing community of active scientists working to improve future projection of Antarctica’s role as driver of and its response to global change. We request the SSGs and SCAR Delegates to approve continued support for AntarcticClimate²¹. The outcome of this SCAR initiative will provide important leadership to improve modeling capability for future projections in time for inclusion in the IPCC AR6, it seeks multidisciplinary collaboration between existing SCAR initiatives, encourages new international research efforts, engages proactively in the development of the new generation of CMIP6 experiments, and promotes the integrates early and mid-career scientists.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: The principle aim of AntarcticClimate²¹ is to provide realistic, data-constrained future projections for the next century and beyond, and to support SCAR’s leadership in Antarctic research and policy advice.

Partners: AntarcticClimate²¹ seeks to serve and collaborate in particular with PAIS, SERCE, AntEco, AnTERA, APECS, ACCE, ISMASS, ASPeCT, SOOS, PAGES, IPICS, CliC, CMIP, PMIP, WCPR, and PCIP. A new important opportunity is now to also closely work with SOCCOM.

Budget Implications: We kindly request that AntarcticClimate²¹ is permitted to use $3k from our 2016 budget during 2015 to accommodate publication fees not included in the 2015 budget.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP14: Report on PAIS (Past Antarctic Ice Sheet Dynamics)

Executive Summary

Title: Past Antarctic Ice Sheet Dynamics (PAIS)

Authors: C. Escutia, R. DeConto, K. Gohl, R. Larter, R. Powell, L. De Santis, M. Bentley

Introduction/ Background:
The overarching goal of PAIS is to improve confidence in predictions of ice sheet and sea level response to future climate change and ocean warming. For this, PAIS aims to improve understanding of the sensitivity of East, West, and Antarctic Peninsula Ice Sheets to a broad range of climatic and oceanic conditions. Study intervals span a range of timescales, including past “greenhouse” climates warmer than today, and times of more recent warming and ice sheet retreat during glacial terminations. The PAIS research philosophy is based on data-data and data-model integration and intercomparison, and the development of data transects, extending from the ice sheet interior to the deep sea. The data-transect concept will link ice core, continental, ice sheet-proximal, offshore, and far-field records of past ice sheet behaviour and sea level, yielding an unprecedented view of past changes in ice sheet geometry, volume, and ice sheet-ocean interactions. These integrated data sets will enable robust testing of a new generation of coupled Glacial Isostatic Adjustment-Ice Sheet-Atmosphere-Ocean models that include new reconstructions of past and present ice bed topography and bathymetry. PAIS will accomplish its objectives by: 1) facilitating the planning of new data-acquisition missions using emerging technologies; 2) encouraging data sharing and integration of spatially targeted transect data with modelling studies; and 3) initiating/expanding cross linkages among Antarctic research communities.

Important Issues or Factors:
PAIS continent-to-abyss transects build on ongoing and planned projects and therefore guarantee continuous deliverables. PAIS has invited new members to the SC and plans to conduct a rotation of the co-chief officers at the end of 2015. PAIS plans to organize a Symposium in 2017 with budgetary implications (i.e., request to carry forward PAIS funding).

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:
Support for PAIS plans for the remaining life of the Programme and input from EXCOM on PAIS plans based on the SCAR Strategic Plan and the Horizon Scan outcomes.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:
Publications and science relevant to large international programmes/initiatives and policy makers, enhancement of SCAR profile.

Partners:
ANDRILL, IODP, ICDP, AntECO, APECS, IGBP-PAGES, IPICS, ISMASS, SCADM, SCERCE, SHALDRIL and other SCAR Expert and Action Groups.

Budget Implications:
Request for confirmation of SCAR science programme funding at current level until the internal progress review. PAIS funding to be carried forward to help with organization costs on PAIS Symposium in 2017.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP15: Report on SERCE (Solid Earth Response and influence on Cryospheric Evolution)

Executive Summary

Title: Solid Earth Response and influence on Cryospheric Evolution Authors: Terry Wilson

Introduction/Background: The Solid Earth Response and influence on Cryospheric Evolution (SERCE) SRP targets new understanding of solid earth – cryosphere interactions at a crucial time in earth history when global change is driving changes in mass balance of the polar ice sheets. SERCE promotes integration of new earth science data sets into modeling of ice mass balance, ice dynamics, and solid earth responses to mass change.

Important Issues or Factors: SERCE sponsored several major events in 2014-2015 period, including a) thematic session at EGU, b) workshop in Alaska, c) workshop at Goa ISAES, d) thematic session at Goa ISAES, and e) GIA training school to take place in September.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:

• Approval of budget requests to implement programme plans

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:

• The SCAR-SERCE strategy of partnering with other organizations effectively leverages the scope and impact of science and outreach activities
• SCAR-SERCE has an increasing mission to promote infrastructure, capacity, data sharing and collaboration in light of highlighted thematic questions of the SCAR Horizon Scan and studies (e.g. USA-National Academies) emphasizing terrestrial observation systems in Antarctica.

Partners: SERCE has engaged international partners to leverage each activity. Partners include:

• International Lithosphere Progamme, proposed new Task Force: Dynamics and Interaction of Mantle, Lithosphere and Ice Masses (DynaM-Ice), Markku Poutanen & Irina Rogozhina
• International Association of Geodesy, Subcommission 3.4 Cryospheric Deformation
• U.S. National Science Foundation (training schools)
• ISMASS, PAIS, AntClim21
• APECS

Budget Implications: Carry over of Funding of $19,780 from 2014, and $20,000 allocated for 2015, will be fully expended in 2015 for the Alaska GIA Modeling Workshop, the ISAES- Goa Autonomous Instruments Workshop, and the GIA Training School. Although $20,000 per year has been allocated, $25,000 for 2016 and 2017 are requested to support SERCE activities.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP16: SCAR Scientific Research Programme External Performance Review Process

Executive Summary

Title: SCAR Scientific Research Programme External Performance Review

Authors: Jenny Baeseman

Introduction/Background: As agreed by the Delegates in 2004, all of SCAR’s Scientific Research Programmes (SRPs) are to be reviewed internally every 2 years and externally every 4 in order to ensure that SCAR is obtaining good value for its investment and that results are emerging at an appropriate rate.

Important Issues or Factors: The SRP Astronomy and Astrophysics from Antarctica (AAA) was externally reviewed in 2014. The process outlined herewith follows the procedure AAA followed.

The following are due for review in 2016:

• Antarctic Climate Change in the 21st Century (AntClim21)
• Antarctic Thresholds – Ecosystem Resilience and Adaptation (AnT-ERA)
• Past Antarctic Ice Sheet Dynamics (PAIS)
• Solid Earth Responses and influences on Cryospheric Evolution (SERCE)
• State of the Antarctic Ecosystem (AntEco)

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: ExCom is asked to review the process outlined in the following pages and comment. Once agreed, the Secretariat will follow up with review process as agreed.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: Reviews should be ready for consideration by the SCAR Delegates 2016 meeting. The external reviews should help to increase the effectiveness of the SRPs and their outcomes.

Budget Implications: Most work will be done via email and online meetings so no direct costs are foreseen, but it will take up considerable staff time and also time for reviewers.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP17: Report on the SOOS (Southern Ocean Observing System) – July 2014-July 2015

Executive Summary

Title: The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS)

Authors: Louise Newman, Oscar Schofield, Anna Wåhlin, Andrew Constable, Sebastiaan Swart

Introduction/ Background:
The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) is a joint initiative of the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), and endorsed by the Partnership for Observations of the Global Ocean (POGO) and the Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) and Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) projects of the World Climate Research Programme. SOOS was launched in 2011 with the mission to facilitate the collection and delivery of essential observations on dynamics and change of Southern Ocean systems to all international stakeholders, through design, advocacy, and implementation of cost-effective observing and data delivery systems.

Important Issues or Factors:

• SOOS has drafted its 5-Year Strategic Plan
• SOOS has produced its first official progress report – the SOOS 3-Year Progress Report (2012-2014) available in hardcopy or at http://soos.aq/resources/reports?view=reports
• The governance structure of SOOS has grown to include three new categories of implementation bodies: Task Teams, Regional Working Groups, Capability Working Groups
• SOOS held its 4^th Scientific Steering Committee meeting, 3^rd Data Management Sub-Committee meeting, and two strategic workshops a) The State of the Climate of the Southern Ocean, and b) Implementation of a Southern Ocean Observing System
• SOOS has gained support through the Australian Research Council’s Special Research Initiative for Antarctic Gateway Partnership (Project ID SR140300001) and has hired a Data Officer in May 2015 for 2 years

Recommendations/Actions and Justification
SCAR provides financial support for the annual SSC meeting (2016 meeting hosted by Scripps Institution of Oceanography, USA). This support is imperative to ensure participation of all international SSC members. SOOS greatly appreciates the support provided by SCAR, and requests that this support is continued for 2016.

SOOS also requests the attendance of the SCAR Executive Director at the upcoming SOOS SSC meeting in the USA.

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.

The SCAR Director has not yet attended a SOOS SSC meeting and with SOOS implementation bodies developing over the next year (Working Groups and Task Teams), it will be important to SCAR to have a solid understanding of what we are developing, to help avoid duplication and to help communication of what is going on in SOOS to the national committees and to the Antarctic Treaty.

Partners:
SCOR provides 10,000 USD towards the annual SOOS SSC meeting. Discussions will be had with the 2016 SSC meeting host, regarding a level of host support for this meeting.

The SCOR Director has attended three of the four SOOS SSC meetings, and has confirmed his likely attendance at the 2016 meeting.

Budget Implications:
10,000 USD are requested to support the 2015 SSC meeting

SCAR is asked to support the SCAR Director to attend out of the central SCAR budget, not the 10,000 USD requested for SSC participation.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP18: Report from the SCAR Humanities and Social Sciences Group (HASSEG)

Executive Summary

Title: Report of the SCAR Humanities and Social Sciences Expert Group

Authors: D. Liggett, E. Leane, S. Chaturvedi, A. Hemmings, H. Nielsen, J. O’Reilly, J. F. Salazar, A. Shibata & G. Steel

Introduction/ Background:
Increasingly, Antarctic institutions and stakeholders acknowledge the costs and benefits of human activities in Antarctica not merely from an economic perspective but also from environmental, ethical, social, cultural and geopolitical standpoints. Policy-makers, educators, scientists and the wider public are required to consider multiple competing factors when forming opinions and courses of action in relation to Antarctica. Understanding the meanings, values, images and narratives that humans attach to the Antarctic has significant implications for human engagement with and activity in the region.

Important Issues or Factors:
Social scientists and humanities researchers have the expertise and tools to lead an academic assessment of questions linked to human presence in the Antarctic, in particular its cultural, political, social and behavioural dimensions. The Humanities and Social Sciences EG (hereon “the group”) was initially established (as the Social Sciences Action Group) to carry out research targeted at understanding the range of values underpinning human engagement with Antarctica. With the granting of Expert Group status at the SCAR Delegates Meeting in 2014, the group was renamed to signal a broadening of disciplinary range, and developed a more diverse set of research foci, including those generated by the first SCAR Antarctic and Southern Ocean Horizon Scan. This expansion promises considerable long-term benefits, especially with regard to understanding human behaviour, impacts, influence and decision-making in an Antarctic context.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:
We request that the Expert Group be maintained into 2016 to consolidate its expansion of research foci, to continue to incorporate a wide range of social sciences and humanities disciplines, and to foster collaborations across these disciplines and with the physical and biological sciences.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:
The group will continue to raise the profile of SCAR in the public realm and in social sciences and humanities research communities by demonstrating that SCAR supports multi-disciplinary research efforts outside of the physical and biological sciences. Social sciences and humanities enquiries and analyses through this group will materially increase intellectual engagement with Antarctica as place and idea, thereby contributing to polar research, but will also help SCAR to better ground its scientific advice in a thorough understanding of the drivers of human engagement with the Antarctic. A range of academic publications resulting from this research effort will bolster SCAR’s scholarly record in the social sciences and humanities.

Partners:
The group collaborates with the SCAR History EG, as highlighted by a joint SCAR History and Social Sciences conference with the theme “Antarctic Wilderness” (Fort Collins, Colorado, 20-23 May 2015), a joint session at the SCAR OSC in 2014 and 2015, and a joint workshop (Cambridge, UK, 1-5 July 2013). Future joint events are under discussion.

Budget Implications:
The group requests the standard operating budget for SCAR Expert Groups ($5000 per year).

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP19: Report from the SCAR History Group 2014-2015

Executive Summary

Title: History Expert Group

Author: Cornelia Lüdecke

Introduction/ Background:
The Expert Group started as an Action Group in 2004 and held its first workshop in 2005. Since then the Group has flourished and membership of the Expert Group has steadily increased, as has the geographical and disciplinary diversity of the participants. The Group’s meetings continue to serve as a valuable discussion space for students, junior and senior scholars alike. Meetings have been held in four continents (Africa, Europe, North America, South America), permitting the core group of academic historians to be joined by local researchers who would likely not otherwise have joined the Group. The SCAR Expert Group provides a unique and irreplaceable site for scholars to exchange ideas and develop historical research related to the Antarctic. Collaborative research projects undertaken by some of the group members demonstrate the group’s dynamism.

Important Issues or Factors:
The core disciplinary identity of the Expert Group has steadily expanded from historians to include archeologists, anthropologists, cultural heritage specialists, and others, in addition to polar veterans from various disciplines The Group now has significant expertise in cultural heritage issues, particularly as many members of the International Polar Heritage Committee, and is well placed to make a stronger and more formal contribution to SCAR within this domain. The Group’s meetings have been characterized by a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, particularly with regard to involving PhD students, an environment that has directly contributed to the growth of its membership but also to the development of joint projects and publications. Two joint workshops and one joint session with the SCAR Social Science and Humanities Expert Group were organized during the last SCAR OSC. The connection to researchers from IASC is also very good as the new IASC President Susan Barr from the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage gave the keynote speech during the Panel session on “Connecting the past-present-future: studies and methods in history for Antarctic research and science” the SCAR OSC 2014. During the next SCAR OSC in Malaysia (2016) we hope to extend the membership to more Asian and especially Malaysian scholars.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:
We wish to continue the SCAR History Expert Group in its current form. We plan to continue collaborating with the Social Sciences Expert Group.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:
Workshops and publications serve as public outreach for SCAR. The current high level of publications by Group members will continue, both individually and through collective forums such as special journal issues and the edited volume “Antarctica and the Humanities”, edited by three members of the History Expert Group (under contract with Palgrave Macmillan, expected publication early 2016). An expanded role related to identifying, charting and managing Antarctic heritage is envisaged.

Partners:
The SCAR Social Sciences Expert Group
The International Polar Heritage Committee
The International Arctic Social Science Association

Budget Implications:
US$ 5.000 to subsidize the participation of graduate students and scholars from low-income countries to participate in the next SCAR OSC in Kuala Lumpur in 2016.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP20: Report on SCADM (Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management)

Executive Summary

Title: Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management (SCADM)

Authors: Anton P. Van de Putte

Introduction/ Background: Data and information are valuable and irreplaceable resources. Proper management of data and information is not an “add-on” or an additional task; it is a fundamental aspect of modern science.

SCAR has adopted a Data and Information Management Strategy (DIMS), developed by the SCAR Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management (SCADM), to ensure that the scientific user community has adequate access to data and information. The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP) established the Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management (JCADM) in 1997 to manage Antarctic data. In December 2008 the formal linkage with COMNAP ceased and JCADM became SC-ADM from January 2009.SC-ADM helps facilitate co-operation between scientists and nations with regard to scientific data. It advises on the development of the Antarctic Data Directory System and plays a major role in the International Polar Year data system (IPYDIS).

For the years 2014-2016 the priorities are:

1. Provide data access through the ADMS
2. Promote a distributed, interoperable network of accredited polar data centres

3. Data publication

Important Issues or Factors: Level of participation of countries is highly variable. Interaction with other stakeholders is becoming increasingly important.

Cost of travel limits participation to meeting. Online participation can be a cost effective alternative (Not only for SCADM but also for Secretariat, EXCOM and SCAR groups). In some case on site participation to meeting is still required.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification: In order to facilitate communication, the EXCOM to decide if online conference facility services are needed as well as decide on a system to be used.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes: SCAR conference facility services will improve communication for Secretariat, EXCOM and SCAR groups)

Partners: Secretariat, EXCOM and SCAR groups and other outside of SCAR.

Budget Implications: an annual budget for the use of online conference facility software/services.

SCAR EXCOM 2015 WP21: Report on SCAGI (Standing Committee on Antarctic Geographic Information)

Executive Summary

Title: Standing Committee on Antarctic Geographic Information (SCAGI)

Authors:   Adrian Fox (British Antarctic Survey) and Jean-Yves Pirlot (IGN, Belgium), co-chairs of SCAGI

Introduction/ Background:
All work in Antarctica relies on a consistent geographic framework, and the main function of the Standing Committee on Antarctic Geographic Information (SCAGI) is to manage and improve the geographic framework not only for Antarctic scientific research but also for other activities including operations, environmental management and tourism. SCAGI continues to deliver, and actively develop, a range of Geographic Information products through its various projects. These products include: the SCAR Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica, the SCAR Antarctic Digital Database, the SCAR Map Catalogue and Air Operations Planning Maps series. The usage statistics included in the report below show that these are active products that are used and valued by the Antarctic community.

SCAGI integrates topographic and names information received from national Antarctic programmes into the SCAR ADD and SCAR Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica. In keeping with Article III.1.c of the Treaty that Scientific observations and results from Antarctica shall be exchanged and made freely available, SCAGI promotes an open standards approach to support free and unrestricted data access and develops the respective specifications.

Important Issues or Factors:
Most of the effort in SCAGI comes from a few committed members. To ensure maximum effectiveness for SCAR, SCAGI is focusing its limited resources on delivering the four main SCAR-SCAGI products: Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica (CGA), Antarctic Digital Database (ADD), SCAR Map Catalogue (MapCat) and Air Operations Planning Maps series.

The SCAR products can only be as good as the data that are in them. It is critical for the continued relevance and utility of the SCAR-SCAGI products that SCAR members contribute all new maps, topographic data, and place-names information to the ADD, MapCat and CGA in a timely manner.

The SCAR Composite Gazetteer of Antarctica is a key product for SCAGI that is widely used by the Antarctic community (see usage statistics below). It has for many years been managed by Roberto Cervellati and Chiara Ramorino, of the Italian National Antarctic Research Programme (PNRA). During 2015 responsibility for managing the CGA has transferred to Prof Carlo Baroni, and Mrs Jaqueline Muller, University of Pisa.

Recommendations/Actions and Justification:
Delegates should ensure that they are familiar with the work that SCAGI does and encourage their national representatives to become involved with and contribute all new data to SCAGI products. Delegates should ensure that retiring national representatives are replaced with a successor national representative and that the SCAGI co-Chairs are informed of this change.

Expected Benefits/Outcomes:
Wider engagement by the Antarctic community would help SCAGI to continue to develop, and deliver effectively, reliable relevant Geographic Information Services to the Antarctic science and operations communities. Maintaining the position of SCAR as the source of Geographic Information Services such as the ADD and CGA supports the SCAR Strategic Plan objective of an international leadership role for SCAR.

Partners: SCADM, SCAR member countries, other organizations with an interest in Antarctic geographic Information such as COMNAP, CCAMLR, Antarctic Treaty System, IHO, NASA, Google, International Steering Committee for Global Mapping.

Budget Implications:
For the SCAR CGA and SCAR ADD to be improved, it requires that, either SCAGI members take on the necessary work or the work is outsourced.  Continuation of $4k a year allocation.