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

一系列国家和国际机构已经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带来了共同利益，例如有效应对海洋生态系统的变化，改善对与北极变化有关的极端天气和环境危害的预测。观测的协调也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理解。该项目汇集了来自科学和工程不同分支的专家，沿着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。根据北极不同权利人、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事部门的粮食安全问题。近年来，冰和海洋状况的变化对阿拉斯加沿海社区以及大规模渔业和其他国家关切因素的粮食安全产生了重大影响，这在太平洋北极地区最为明显。该项目借鉴了不同的评估，建模和观测系统设计方法，为整合不同类型的协调观测的面向粮食安全的信息产品奠定基础。在实现项目目标的过程中，阿拉斯加土著学者积极参与了这项工作，重点是土著人民组织内的能力建设，使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持续北极观测网络倡议确定的关键目标挂钩来实现的。具体而言，国际社会已经制定了一个共同愿景，即建立一个连通、协作和全面的长期泛北极观测系统，以满足社会需求。SAON已确定制定北极观测和数据系统（ROADS）路线图作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进行的工作以及SAON合作伙伴将如何共同实现这一目标。该RNA项目在美国和国际伙伴机构之间建立并维护一个合作网络，以启动和推进ROADS进程。具体而言，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，这些活动促进了协调、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组都利用了促进会议、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型的组合。该项目借鉴了知识共同生产、观测系统模拟实验和系统工程的原则，以确定共同利益，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。这项工作产生的数据和工具为通过地球观测组织观测系统框架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知识价值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.