|
International Polar Year 2007-2008 Gary Kofinas and Don Russell: Starting the Clock of The CARMA Network: Impacts on Human- Rangifer Systems in the Circumarctic
In November 2004, a concerned circumpolar group of social scientists, ecologists and biologists, abiotic specialists, indigenous leaders, and resource managers met in Vancouver, Canada to officially launch an organization to track and assess the impacts of change in Human-Rangifer Systems. This group, The CARMA Network ( Circum Arctic Rangifer Monitoring and Assessment Network (www.rangifer.net/CARMA), defined a mission: Through cooperation, both geographically and across disciplines, monitor and assess the impacts of global change on the Human-Rangifer System across the Circumarctic . The CARMA Network will operate with the following principles:
At present our knowledge of many of the Arctic’s significant Rangifer populations is fragmentary and the relationship among the peoples dependant upon these populations is largely undocumented. Therefore, the CARMA Network proposes an IPY initiative that launches an extensive two-year coordinated monitoring program that will provide a solid baseline of information on representative Rangifer populations and the human communities dependent upon them. We consider such a project as process of “starting the clock” across the North, where information gathering is coordinated and comparable, where protocols are standardized, tested and utilized. At the completion of the project, the CARMA Network will produce a comprehensive comparative analysis of circumarctic Rangifer populations which will be the tangible legacy upon which the CARMA Network can develop into the 21 st Century. Objectives of Proposed project: • Support the development, design, testing and implementation of standardize protocols to assess the impacts of global change on the human/ Rangifer system, • Facilitate two years of standardized monitoring (using protocols developed in objective 1) across the circumarctic, • Facilitate the exchange of community representatives to compare observations and experiences across regions, • Produce a circumpolar assessment and status of human/ Rangifer systems, highlighting stressors and vulnerabilities, and • Report on the evaluation of the project to the CARMA Network, with recommendations on goals and strategies for the next decade Project Approach and Schedule: March 2005-2006: • Engage CARMA partners to define a standard set of indicators spanning the range from satellite-based to community-based • Identify critical questions worthy of analysis in the CARMA process • Conduct an assessment on the current status and past trends related to these indicators, March 2006-2007 • Test the collection and analysis protocols in a few locations • Assemble, analyze, and report on these collections, refining where necessary; March 2007-2009 (IPY YEARS) • Annually, conduct a coordinated collection project, so that all partners are collecting the same indicators in a standardized manner. • Conduct intensive comparative studies to generate generalizable findings about Human- Rangifer Systems • Facilitate annual exchange of community representatives (hunters and herders) to compare observations and experiences among regions. Fit with IPY themes, objectives and criteria: Status : the project will result in a comprehensive assessment of the status of Rangifer populations and their utilization across the circumarctic. Change : the focus of the Network, and thus of the project, will be to monitor, assess and communicate the impacts of global change on the human/ Rangifer system. Global linkages : Our approach in the CARMA Network is multi-disciplinary and multi-scale, examining change at the global scale and impacts down to the community level. Human dimension : CARMA is concerned with the impacts on the entire human/ Rangifer system. The CARMA project will meet all of the criteria proposed by the IPY organizers. Makes significant advances within one or more IPY themes : the CARMA project addresses 4 of the 6 themes (detailed above). Involves at least one polar region and takes place within the IPY timeframe : The intensive project will take place within the IPY timeframe and will occur in all circumpolar countries Contributes to international collaboration that could include nations not traditionally involved in polar research : The project includes collaboration among all circumarctic countries Presents a viable management plan and organizational structure, including a time line when commitments (funding, logistics, etc.) can be expected : The project will be coordinated by the United States and Canada with an International Steering Committee overseeing the implementation of the project. Presents a viable approach for securing funding : The budget section outlines a rough breakdown of the cost of the project. The CARMA Steering Committee, representing the circumpolar countries, will submit the proposal to their respective countries as a collaborative IPY project. Costs associated with each countries participation will be obtained through the specific country. Coordination, analysis and reporting costs will be sought from the coordinating countries. Proposes a viable plan for securing appropriate logistical support : Countries will be responsible for the logistical support to carry out the monitoring activities Commits to the principles and aims of IPY data management and proposes a viable data management plan : Data management will be an important element of the CARMA Network. Prior to the commencement of the IPY project, we will have a data management protocol which will allow for easy storage, access and dissemination. Proposes a viable plan or approach for education, outreach and communication activities : A major component of this project will be the active participation of local communities, with a communication and education plan to be developed. The experiences and observations of participants will be shared among communities within the exchange subcomponent of the project. Shows how it will foster the next generation of polar researchers : We envision that the project will require the help of 2-3 post-docs and 2 graduate students. As well, capacity will be built within the communities to assist in the monitoring activities which will extend beyond the timeframe of IPY. Provides the opportunity for legacy infrastructure (observation sites, facilities, systems ) The primary purpose of the project is to solidify the CARMA Network. As a result of the project CARMA will be better able to effectively monitor the impacts of global change on the human/ Rangifer system well beyond the IPY timeframe. Builds on existing plans, programs or initiatives or, at least, does not conflict with them : This project will greatly enhance the capability of the existing CARMA Network to measure change and assess impacts beyond the IPY timeframe. Have interdisciplinary elements (team, project, etc.) : An essential component of the CARMA Network is that only through interdisciplinary cooperation can we adequately assess global change impacts on the human/ Rangifer system. Is “endorsed” by one or more National Committees : With this proposal, we are seeking endorsement from the Canadian/US National IPY Committees. Infrastructure, Logistic Requirements, Budget: Name of Co-PIs and Contact Information: CARMA Network Executive Steering Committee Bio Steering Committee: Rolf Langvatn – Co-Chair (Norway), Anne Gunn – Co - Chair (GNWT – Canada) Community Steering Committee: John Mameamsum – Chair (Naskapi, Quebec) Remote Sensing Steering Committee: Brad Griffith – Chair (UAF – U.S.) CARMA Network Partners (participating members and those invited to workshop):
Questions? Contact Anne Sudkamp at <fyiassa@uaf.edu>. [Home page]
[Contact
IASSA] [About IASSA]
[Membership]
[Ethical Principles]
|
