Collaborative Research: Research Networking Activities in Support of Sustained Coordinated Observations of Arctic Change

一系列国家和国际机构认识到迫切需要改进对北极快速变化的持续观测的协调。这种协调为北极和非北极国家提供了共同的好处，例如，在有效应对海洋生态系统的变化、改进与北极变化有关的极端天气和环境危害的预测方面。观测的协调还促进了我们对北极系统的运作及其在区域、国家和全球层面提供的服务的了解。该项目汇集了来自不同科学和工程分支的专家，以及北极土著专家和组织，共同推进持续观测的协调、设计和实施。根据不同的北极权利持有者、决策者和政策制定者的指导，研究网络活动侧重于太平洋北极海洋部门的粮食安全专题。粮食安全，特别是阿拉斯加沿海社区的粮食安全，而且在大规模渔业和其他国家关切因素的背景下，受到近年来在太平洋北极地区最为明显的冰川和海洋状况变化的重大影响。该项目利用不同的评估、建模和观测系统设计方法，为整合不同类型协调观测的面向粮食安全的信息产品奠定基础。在实现项目目标方面，阿拉斯加土著学者是这项工作的积极参与者，重点是土著人民组织内部的能力建设，以便他们能够更好地指导和利用北极观测数据和信息产品。项目目标是通过与北极理事会和国际北极科学委员会的可持续北极观测网络(SAON)倡议确定的关键目标相结合来实现的。具体地说，国际社会制定了一个共同愿景，即建立一个互联、协作和全面的、服务于社会需求的泛北极长期观测系统。SAON已将制定北极观测和数据系统(ROAD)路线图确定为实施其战略的关键起点：详细说明观测和数据管理工作需要在哪里进行，以及SAON合作伙伴将如何共同实现这一目标。这个RNA项目在美国和国际伙伴机构之间建立和维护一个合作网络，以启动和推进道路进程。具体地说，该项目将北极观测峰会(AOS)从两年一次的会议转变为一个持续的进程和资源，以帮助协调观测。AOS反过来通知四组不同的项目活动，这些活动推进了协调、需求捕获、设计开发和信息基础设施。这四个主题下的每个工作队都借鉴了促进会议、建模和评估活动、正式和非正式合作以及将粮食安全案例研究扩展为泛北极观测协调和一体化的更广泛资源和模式的综合成果。该项目利用共同生产知识、观测系统模拟实验和系统工程的原则，以确定分享利益，并定量评估与粮食安全和海洋生态系统相关的优化观测的影响。从这项工作中产生的数据和工具为通过地球观测观测系统框架小组共享的粮食安全信息产品提供了信息。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

A range of national and international bodies have recognized the urgent need for improved coordination of sustained observations of rapid Arctic Change. Such coordination provides shared benefits to Arctic and non-Arctic nations, for example in responding effectively to transformations in marine ecosystems, improving prediction of extreme weather and environmental hazards associated with Arctic change. Coordination of observations also advances our understanding of the functioning of the Arctic system and the services it provides at the regional, national, and global level. This project brings together experts from different branches of science and engineering, along with Arctic Indigenous experts and organizations to jointly advance coordination, design, and implementation of sustained observations. Drawing on guidance from different Arctic rights holders, decision- and policymakers, the Research Networking Activity (RNA) focuses on the topic of food security in the Pacific Arctic maritime sector. Food security, in particular for Alaska coastal communities but also in the context of large-scale fisheries and other factors of national concern has been substantially impacted by changing ice and ocean conditions that have been most pronounced in the Pacific Arctic sector in recent years. The project draws on different assessment, modeling, and observing system design approaches to lay the foundation for a food-security oriented information product integrating different types of coordinated observations. In accomplishing project goals, Alaska Native scholars are active participants in the work, with a focus on capacity-building within Indigenous Peoples’ organizations such that they can better steer and utilize Arctic observing data and information products.Project objectives are achieved by tying into key goals identified by the Arctic Council’s and International Arctic Science Committee’s Sustaining Arctic Observing Networks (SAON) initiative. Specifically, the international community has developed a joint vision for a connected, collaborative, and comprehensive long-term pan-Arctic Observing System that serves societal needs. SAON has identified development of a Roadmap for Arctic Observing and Data Systems (ROADS) as a key starting point for implementing its strategy: to detail where observing and data management efforts need to go and how SAON partners will jointly get there. This RNA project establishes and maintains a collaborative network between U.S. and international partner institutions to initiate and advance the ROADS process. Specifically, the project transforms the Arctic Observing Summit (AOS) from a biennial meeting into an ongoing process and resource to aid with coordination of observations. The AOS in turn informs four different sets of project activities that advance coordination, requirements capture, design development, and information infrastructure. Each of the task teams under these four themes draws on a combination of facilitated meetings, modeling and assessment activities, formal and informal collaborations, and the expansion of the Food Security case study into a broader resource and model for pan-Arctic observing coordination and integration. The project draws on principles of co-production of knowledge, observing system simulation experiments, and systems engineering to determine shared benefits and quantitatively assess the impacts of optimized observations relevant in a food security and marine ecosystems context. Data and tools emerging from this work inform a food security information product shared through the Group on Earth Observations observing system of systems framework.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.