Development of a Strategic Vision and Implementation Plan for the U.S. Antarctic Program

智力价值：拟议的活动将建立在2011年完成的国家研究委员会（NRC）的一项研究（《南极洲和南大洋的未来科学机会》）以及蓝丝带报告《通过提高后勤效率在南极洲开展更多更好的科学》（OSTP, 2012）的基础上。2011年NRC的研究为nsf支持的南极研究制定了战略愿景。这项活动将建立在这一愿景的基础上，并利用以社区为基础的研讨会来确定一套优先的科学问题，美国南极计划（USAP）可以将其作为路线图来指导所需的科学支持基础设施，以支持推进南极的高优先科学。拟议的研究将为NSF提供关于未来十年的研究重点、基本观察和必要基础设施的指导，并与可能可用的资源水平的合理预期保持一致。更广泛的影响：NSF？美国宇航局对USAP的投资有能力推进天体物理学和地球空间科学、生物学、生态学、地质学和地球物理学、冰川学、海洋和低层大气、综合系统和气候科学等领域的高优先级研究问题。拟议的研究将有助于确保尽可能战略性和有效地进行这些投资。最终，这项研究将为决策者和社会提供坚实的科学知识基础，以帮助认识南极作为地球系统驱动力的重要性。

Intellectual Merit: The proposed activity will build on a National Research Council (NRC) study completed in 2011 (Future Science Opportunities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean) as well as the Blue Ribbon report More and Better Science in Antarctica through Increased Logistical Effectiveness (OSTP, 2012). The 2011 NRC study developed a strategic vision for NSF-supported Antarctic research. This activity will build on this vision and use community-based workshops to identify a prioritized suite of science questions that the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) can use as a roadmap to guide the science support infrastructure needed to support to advance high priority science in the Antarctic. The proposed study will provide NSF with guidance on research priorities, fundamental observations, and essential infrastructure for the coming decade, aligned with reasonable expectations for the level of resources likely to be available. Broader impacts: NSF?s investments in the USAP have the ability to advance high priority research questions in fields spanning astrophysics and geospace sciences, biology, ecology, geology and geophysics, glaciology, ocean and lower atmosphere, integrated systems, and climate science. The proposed study will help ensure that these investments are made as strategically and effectively as possible. Ultimately, this research will benefit decision makers and society by providing a sound foundation of scientific knowledge to help the importance of the Antarctic as a driving force in earth systems.