Collaborative Research-AON: A Snow Observing Network to Detect Arctic Climate Change -- SnowNet-II

知识价值：该奖项将支持在国际极地年（IPY 2007-2009）期间以SnowNet-I项目开始的积雪观测和技术开发的延续。SnowNet-II观测工作是美国国家科学基金会北极观测网络（AON）的一部分，该网络支持长期、科学驱动的观测，使研究能够了解北极环境系统的快速变化。AON是更广泛的北极环境变化研究（SEARCH）的组成部分。SnowNet-II旨在开发积雪测量技术和数据集，使其他人能够回答有关北极变化的关键问题。例如，冬季降水是否增加，积雪是如何变化的？雪新技术的发展，基本上是测雪装置的发明，也具有内在的智力价值。SnowNet-II将在(i)阿拉斯加北坡的Barrow和Imnavait运行，以及（ii）与加拿大环境部合作，在育空地区的Trail Valley Creek站点运行。在每个地点操作的仪器包括一个固态雪水等效传感器，一个旋转声波雪深测深仪和一个基于称重传感器的降水计。此外，Barrow和Imnavait站点的测量将通过延长数十公里长的雪道和机载激光雷达测量来补充和扩大地理范围。更广泛的影响：SnowNet-II将纠正北极观测网的不足，通过这样做，该网络应该能够更好地提供可以回答有关北极变化的关键问题的数据。在AON数据存储库CADIS（合作北极数据和信息服务）上，SnowNet数据可以免费和公开地提供给更广泛的科学界。SnowNet包括与加拿大环境部科学家的国际合作。在阿拉斯加北坡进行实地考察期间，SnowNet小组将通过访问巴罗、阿特卡苏克和努伊克特的学校，继续其长期以来对土著人民和北部居民的教育和外联活动。

Intellectual Merit: This award will support the continuation of snow observations and technology development that began as SnowNet-I during the International Polar Year (IPY 2007-2009). The SnowNet-II observing effort is part of the NSF Arctic Observing Network (AON), which supports long-term, science-driven observing that enables research into understanding rapid environmental system change in the Arctic. AON is a component of the broader Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH). SnowNet-II aims to develop snow measurement technologies and data sets that will enable others to answer critical questions concerning the changing Arctic. For example, is winter precipitation increasing, and how is snow cover changing? The development of new technologies for snow, basically the invention of snow-measuring gadgets, also has inherent intellectual value. SnowNet-II will operate at (i) Barrow and Imnavait on the North Slope of Alaska, and, (ii) in a collaboration with Environment Canada, at a site at Trail Valley Creek, Yukon. Instruments to be operated at each site include a solid-state snow water equivalent sensor, a rotating sonic snow depth sounder and a load cell-based precipitation gauge. In addition, the measurements at the Barrow and Imnavait sites will be supplemented and extended geographically by extended snow courses on the order of tens of kilometers in length and by airborne lidar surveys. Broader Impacts: SnowNet-II will rectify deficiencies in the Arctic Observing Network and by so doing the network should be better positioned to provide data that can answer key questions about Arctic change. SnowNet data are freely and openly available to the broader scientific community at CADIS (Cooperative Arctic Data and Information Service), the AON data repository. SnowNet includes international collaboration with Environment Canada scientists. During fieldwork on the North Slope of Alaska, the SnowNet team will continue its long-standing involvement in education and outreach to indigenous people and northern residents by visiting schools in Barrow, Atqasuk and Nuiqsut.