SCAR News - Archive from 2011
(Most recent first)
Antarctic's hidden world revealed
6 December 2011
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The highest elevations are marked in red/black. Light |
Scientists have produced the most detailed map yet of the White Continent's underbelly - its rock bed. Called simply BEDMAP, this startling view of the landscape beneath the ice incorporates decades of survey data acquired by planes, satellites, ships and even people on dog-drawn sleds. It is remarkable to think that less than 1% of this rock base projects above the continent's frozen veil. The map is a fascinating perspective but it is more than just a pretty picture - it represents critical knowledge in the quest to understand how Antarctica might respond to a warming world. Scientists are currently reporting significant changes at the margins of the continent, with increasing volumes of ice now being lost to the ocean, raising global sea levels. The type of information contained in BEDMAP will help researchers forecast the pace of future events. "This is information that underpins the models we now use to work out how the ice flows across the continent," explained Hamish Pritchard from the British Antarctic Survey (BAS). "The Antarctic ice sheet is constantly supplied by falling snow, and the ice flows down to the coast where great bergs calve into the ocean or it melts. It's a big, slow-speed hydrological cycle. |
"To model that process requires knowledge of some complex ice physics but also of the bed topography over which the ice is flowing - and that's BEDMAP."
BEDMAP is a SCAR Product.
Read the full article on the BBC News - Science and Environment website and find out more about the BEDMAP project on the BEDMAP website.
SCAR President testifies before US Blue Ribbon Panel
5 December 2011
Mahlon "Chuck" Kennicutt, the SCAR President, testified before the US Blue Ribbon Panel on Future Directions in Antarctic Science. The Blue Ribbon Panel conducted an independent review of the current US Antarctic Program to ensure the nation is pursuing the best 20-year trajectory for conducting science and diplomacy in Antarctica — one that is environmentally sound, safe, innovative, affordable, sustainable, and consistent with the Antarctic Treaty.
Further details are available from the Office of Polar Programs website:
- The US Antarctic Program Blue Ribbon Panel
- Blue Ribbon Panel Meeting, 3-4 November 2011 - meeting information
- Chuck Kennicutt's presentation to the Blue Ribbon Panel, 3 November 2011
New Incentive for Biodiversity Data Publishing
5 December 2011
A new tool to convert descriptions of biodiversity data into scientific journal articles is now available. The aim is to give due recognition to efforts by scientists and institutions making data accessible to the wider scientific community.
The tool, developed by GBIF in partnership with academic publishers Pensoft, creates so-called "Data Papers" from descriptions of datasets (metadata) involving species observations, specimen collections and other biodiversity data. An additional function incorporated into the latest version of GBIF's Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT 2.0.2) automatically generates a manuscript from metadata giving key information about a dataset accessible via the GBIF data portal. The manuscript can then be submitted to a scientific journal for peer review and possible publication. As well as providing potential benefits to the metadata publisher through citations of the article, the system will alert scientists and other users to the availability of "fit for use" biodiversity data resources.
For further information, see the GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) website.
The SCAR Medals - Recognizing Excellence in Science and Outstanding Service
1 December 2011
An important SCAR activity is recognition of excellence in Antarctic and Southern Ocean science and outstanding service to the international Antarctic community, both of which are critical to advancing SCAR's vision and mission. Peer recognition rewards and highlights those who exemplify the best of the Antarctic community and serve as models for the next generation of scientists and researchers.
Nominations for the SCAR Medals to be awarded at the XXXII SCAR meeting in Portland, USA, in July 2012 are now open. The Antarctic science community are invited to nominate candidates for:
- "The SCAR Medal for Excellence in Antarctic Research", and
- "The SCAR Medal for International Scientific Coordination".
Further details and application forms can be downloaded from the SCAR Medals page of the SCAR website. There are no age restrictions or limits on nominees and no higher education degree requirements - everyone is eligible to be nominated. However, self-nominations are not accepted.
The awards will be made during the Banquet for the Open Science Conference on July 18th, 2012.
Please send completed nomination forms for the awards to Rosemary Nash (rn283@cam.ac.uk), to arrive no later than 15 March 2012.
Polar Science and ICSU's Grand Challenges
13 October 2011
Given the unique setting and rapid changes seen in the polar environment, the International Council for Science (ICSU) recognizes that now it is more important than ever to re-assert the Universality of Science principle in the polar regions. Research in the Arctic and Antarctic regions and bipolar opportunities were therefore important agenda points at two recent meetings that included representatives from ICSU, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the Association of Early Career Scientists (APECS) and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC).
At the 30th ICSU General Assembly held in Rome, Mike Sparrow (SCAR), Jenny Baeseman (APECS) and Volker Rachold (IASC) were given the unique opportunity to address the ICSU General Assembly and reflected on the past, present and future of polar science, including lessons learned from IPY. In Siena, a two-day symposium on "Research Urgencies in the Polar Regions and their Links to the ICSU Grand Challenges in Global Sustainability" endorsed the continuation of relevant polar activities as a contribution towards the ICSU Grand Challenges and as a legacy of the IPY.
More information on the two meetings, including important outcomes, and the joint SCAR / IASC / APECS presentation are available on the IASC website.
Abstract submission open for SCAR Open Science Conference
13 October 2011
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The Abstract submission procedure for the SCAR Open Science Conference is now open on the Conference website. A second circular, giving further details of confirmed Keynotes, mini-symposia, an APECS workshop, Cultural Arts events etc. will be made available shortly. We look forward to welcoming you all to Portland next July! |
VIII Symposium on Polar Studies
6 October 2011
The Spanish VIII Symposium on Polar Studies was held in Palma de Mallorca, Spain in early September.
The major objectives of the Symposium were to promote the exchange of information between research groups working on different aspects of polar research, either in the Arctic or in Antarctica, and to encourage collaborative links at both national and international level. The Symposium also hosted parallel meetings of the Standing Committee on Antarctic Data Management (SCADM), the Standing Committee on Antarctic Geographic Information (SCAGI) and the ICSU Task Group on the Governance of Polar Data (CODATA). Both the SCAR Executive Director and SCAR President attended the meeting.
For further details, please visit the Symposium website.
Information on proposed Next Generation of SCAR Scientific Research Programmes
6 October 2011
As part of its Strategic Plan, SCAR is currently planning for the next generation of Scientific Research Programmes. Four programmes are currently in the planning process, with another in the pipeline. These are State of the Antarctic Ecosystem (AntEco), Antarctic Ecosystems: adaptations, Thresholds and Resilience (AntETR), Antarctic Climate Change in the 21st Century (AntarcticClimate21; formally PACE), and Solid Earth Response and Cryosphere Evolution (SERCE). For further details, please see the Programme Planning Group page.
New SCAR-IASC poster 'Where North Meets South' is now available
27 September 2011
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SCAR and IASC (the International Arctic Science Committee) have just published a new joint poster which summarises the objectives of both organisations and highlights areas of collaboration. Both organisations are part of ICSU (the International Council for Science), IASC as an international associate and SCAR as an interdisciplinary body. The poster was presented at ICSU's 30th General Assembly, held in Rome this week. The poster is available to download in both jpeg and pdf formats. |
First Circular released for SCAR Open Science Conference
18 August 2011
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The First Circular for next year's XXXII SCAR Open Science Conference and biennial meetings has just been released.
The conference and meetings will take place from 13 to 25 July 2012 in Portland, Oregon and will emphasise SCAR's dual role in facilitating scientific research and providing advice to policy makers. The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) will also hold their Annual General Meeting in Portland in conjunction with the OSC. More information is available on the XXXII SCAR and Open Science Conference website. |
SCAR Guidelines for Accepting Donations
1 August 2011
At the last SCAR Executive Committee meeting in July 2011, SCAR adopted a set of ethical guidelines for accepting donations. This short document describes how when raising funds, SCAR will accurately describe its activities and needs; that a donation shall not be accepted if it could compromise the independence of SCAR; and that although the decision whether to accept a donation will be made on a case by case basis, SCAR will not knowingly accept funding or assistance from a company, business or individual that profits from illegal activities or fails to uphold basic human rights within its sphere of influence.
SCAR Project Officer Vacancy
1 August 2011
SCAR seeks a part-time Project Officer to (i) assist in preparation for SCAR's next Open Science Conference, including being responsible for the new abstract submission system and (ii) to work on improving SCAR's communication with the general public, media and educators, in particular with respect to SCAR's climate change work. The post is offered for a period of 1 year for 16 hours (equivalent to 2 days) a week and will be based at the Scott Polar Research Institute, University of Cambridge.
Details of the post are given in the Project Officer job advertisement (pdf).
Winner of the Martha T. Muse Prize for 2011 is Announced
25 July 2011
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Dr. José Xavier, from the Institute of Marine Research of the University of Coimbra in Portugal and the British Antarctic Survey in UK, has been awarded the prestigious 2011 Martha T. Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica. Beginning with his doctoral research (Ph.D. Cambridge University, 2003), Dr. Xavier has conducted outstanding research on the predator-prey dynamics that sustain populations of albatrosses, penguins and other top predators in the Southern Ocean. One example of his leadership in this field is his recent publication of a comprehensive monograph on the prey of top predators that will be a great aid to many researchers. The Selection Committee of leading Antarctic scientists and policy makers also cited his leadership in the establishment of a new and thriving Antarctic research programme in Portugal during the International Polar Year (IPY, 2007-2008) and in launching a highly successful educational programme, LATITUDE 60! during the IPY. The Prize, which carries with it a $100K monetary award, is supported by the Tinker Foundation, whose founding director was Martha T Muse. The Prize is inspired by Martha Muse's passion for Antarctica and is intended to be a legacy of the International Polar Year 2007-2008. The Prize ceremony will take place at the World Conference on Marine Biodiversity, to be held at Aberdeen, 26th – 30th September, 2011. |
Antarctic experts meet for conference in Edinburgh
14 July 2011
More than 500 experts from around the world are meeting in Edinburgh to present the latest scientific research on the Antarctic. For the first time in more than 20 years, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) has held its conference in the UK. Organisers chose Edinburgh as they view it as the "birthplace of geology".
Delegates will examine the role the icy continent can play in understanding the world. They will look at what life existed in Antarctica millions of years ago and ask what clues conditions there now could give experts about possible life on Mars. The scientists will also discuss what lies beneath the super-continent's vast 3km thick ice sheet.
The international symposium (ISAES XI), which is taking place 100 years after Captain Scott's famous Antarctic expedition, is organised and hosted by University of Edinburgh, SCAR, the British Antarctic Survey and British Geological Survey.
Read the full article on the BBC News website.
SCAR Cross-linkages Meeting
12 July 2011
The 4th SCAR Cross Linkages Meeting was held on 5-6 May 2011. The aims of the meeting were (i) to discuss current activities from a cross cutting perspective (ii) to concentrate on new ideas that cross cut programmes and disciplines (iii) to identify emerging issues and new frontiers on the horizon that are interdisciplinary. Many items were discussed, including improving linkages and synergies between the proposals for the next generation of Scientific Research Programmes, the next generation of Antarctic Climate Change and the Environment publications and interactions with other partner organisations. The full meeting report is available as SCAR Bulletin 178.
The IASC/SCAR Bipolar Action Group
12 July 2011
There are many common interests between SCAR and IASC in scientific research in the polar regions and much to be gained from developing a synergy between SCAR and IASC in polar and bipolar research.
To assist IASC and SCAR in thinking about how they might work yet more closely together in future, and how they might best contribute to the International Polar Year and its legacy, a Joint Bipolar Action Group (BipAG) was formed in early 2008. This joint Action Group provided very useful advice to the SCAR and IASC Executive Committees and helped to initiative a number of joint bipolar activities.
SCAR and IASC agreed to perpetuate this joint advisory group for another two years and to establish BipAG II, the joint Bipolar Action Group on Science Cooperation, with the term of reference to advise the SCAR and IASC Executive Committees on the development of instruments such as workshops, programmes and networks to address bipolar issues. IPY Legacy issues are now considered at the level of joint meetings of the SCAR and IASC Executive Committees. The recommendations from the first meeting of BiPAG II include not only science ideas but also opportunities for developing the next generation of polar scientists, suggestions for more effective science coordination and data management and ideas for better communicating the importance of the Polar Regions for Planet Earth. The full report of the last and previous meetings are available from the BipAG II page of the SCAR website.
WMO-ROSHYDROMET Workshop on the International Polar Decade Initiative
23 May 2011
A WMO-Roshydromet Workshop on the International Polar Decade (IPD) Initiative was hosted by Roshydromet at the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) of Roshydromet in St. Petersburg, 14 and 15 April 2011. The Workshop attendees met in St. Petersburg to exchange views on the IPD initiative and its potential development. The results of the Workshop will be presented to the Sixteenth World Meteorological Congress, to be held in Geneva from 16 May to 3 June 2011 and will be discussed at the next SCAR Executive Committee Meeting.
Read the Report of the WMO-Roshydromet Workshop, April 2011.
Partnership with IASC reconfirmed and renewed
26 April 2011
With a renewed Letter of Agreement, the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and SCAR have again confirmed and underlined the importance of the synergy between both organisations in polar and bipolar research.
The first Letter of Agreement, signed in July 2006, was designed to enable the two organisations to make a more effective contribution to the success of the International Polar Year than they might otherwise have made. SCAR and IASC agreed to combine their efforts to raise the level of impact of both organisations in terms of making scientific advances and of advising policy makers (for example of the likelihood and likely effects of climate change), as well as to avoid duplication.
With the present letter, SCAR and IASC agree to continue this partnership, taking into account the development of both organisations during the last five years and the lessons learnt from the IPY 2007/2008.
AntaBIF in need of a Science Officer
11 April 2011
AntaBIF is a project which aims at constructing a dedicated Antarctic biodiversity data portal, giving access to a distributed network of contributing databases, following the principles of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (e.g., open access to data, due attribution of date sources). It builds upon and expands two complementary networks by linking these with other potential data resources, integrating SCAR-MarBIN (SCAR's Marine Biodiversity Information Network), with the databases network managed by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD).
To assist in the implementation of the project, AntaBIF seeks an enthusiastic scientist to coordinate the construction of a web-based Antarctic biodiversity data portal. The science officer will be offered a one-year, full time position starting 1 July 2011 or earlier, and will be based at the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences.
For more information, visit the AntaBIF website or see the Science Officer post details.
CliC International Project Office seeks new Director
6 April 2011
A new Director is sought for the WCRP/SCAR/IASC Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) International Project Office, based at the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI), in Tromsø, Norway. The CliC project's mission is to stimulate, support, and coordinate international research into how the cryosphere interacts with the rest of the climate system. Components of the cryosphere are strongly influenced by changes in the climate and may provide key indicators of both natural and human-induced climate change. The CliC project will focus on identifying patterns and rates of change in cryospheric parameters.
CliC was established in March 2000 by the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP). SCAR became a co-sponsor of CliC in 2004, and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) joined as co-sponsor in 2008.
Full details of the post are available on the Norwegian Polar Institute website. The deadline for applications is 18 April 2011.
New SCAR Presentation
7 March 2011
A presentation, given by the SCAR Executive Director, entitled "Antarctic Science and Policy Advice in a Changing World" is now available. The presentation is in the zooming presentation editor "Prezi" and is aimed at the general public.
A History of SCAR, 2004-2010
2 March 2011
A new publication, charting the history of SCAR between 2004 and 2010, has just been posted on the SCAR website. Written by Colin Summerhayes, this history was originally drafted as a chapter of the SCAR 50th Anniversary Book (by David Walton and Peter Clarkson, shortly to be published), for which a much condensed text was required. To facilitate future studies of SCAR history it was felt that it would be beneficial to make the full version of the text available to the SCAR community, hence the decision to make it a SCAR Occasional Publication. The review covers the period 1 January 2004 to April 2010, so does not include activities involved in the SCAR presentations to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting of 3-14 May 2010 (Punta del Este, Uruguay) or in the biennial XXXI SCAR meeting of 30 July - 11 August 2010 (Buenos Aires, Argentina).
A History of SCAR, 2004-2010. C.P. Summerhayes, 2011. SCAR Occasional Publication. SCAR, Cambridge. ISBN 978 0 948277 26 9
Antarctic Organisations Launch Fellowships
17 February 2011
Two Antarctic organisations have joined forces to launch Fellowships for early career researchers. The Fellowships are worth up to US $15,000 each and up to five (4 SCAR and 1 COMNAP Fellowships) are on offer for 2011. The Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) has been offering scientific fellowships to early career scientists since 2005. Such fellowships have enabled Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientists to participate in a range of significant research including using ice cores to determine proxies for the Southern Annular Mode, a molecular study of Antarctic ostracods, and investigating particulate carbon and biogenic silica in sea ice in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Since 2005, twenty-fine SCAR Fellowships have been awarded. Up to four awards are being offered by SCAR in this round. This year, the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) has joined in to offer one to two additional fellowship opportunities for early career researchers. The two schemes were announced together today and are being jointly promoted by both organisations. The excitement generated during the recent International Polar Year (2007-2008), has created an enthusiastic group of early career Antarctic researchers, many of whom would benefit from the opportunities the Fellowships provide. This supports the scientific goals of SCAR and the international cooperation goal of COMNAP to develop and promote best practice in managing the support to Antarctic science. The fellowships enable the early career researchers to join a project team from another country, opening up new opportunities and often creating research partnerships that last many years and over many Antarctic research seasons. If successful, it is envisioned that COMNAP will continue to be able to provide Fellowships in future years along with the SCAR Fellowships. The deadline for applications is 15 May 2011.
For more information on 2011 Fellowships and how to apply, please visit the SCAR Fellowships section.
Deep Sea Research Part II - a CAML Special Issue
17 February 2011
The Census of Antarctic Marine Life (CAML) represented the largest survey undertaken of Antarctic marine life, and contributed one of the larger programmatic efforts to the International Polar Year (IPY) 2007/2008. It coordinated 19 research voyages distributed broadly throughout the Southern Ocean and Antarctic shelves, and supported by a network of over 300 biologists from 30 countries. The major achievements of this unprecedented assessment have now been published in a special issue of the ScienceDirect journal 'Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography'. The issue contains 25 papers from the 42 presentations given at the CAML Final Symposium, entitled 'Diversity and Change in Southern Ocean Ecosystems', hosted and organized by the Italian National Antarctic Museum in Genoa during May 2009.
CAML has secured three months of online free access to the special issue so you are encouraged to make use of it and spread the word amongst your colleagues.
View the DSR II CAML Special Issue
Nominations open for the 2011 Martha T. Muse Prize
16 February 2011
Online nominations for the 2011 Martha T. Muse prize have opened on the Muse Prize website.
The "Martha T. Muse Prize for Science and Policy in Antarctica" is a US$ 100,000 unrestricted award presented to an individual in the fields of Antarctic science or policy that has demonstrated potential for sustained and significant contributions that will enhance the understanding and/or preservation of Antarctica. The Tinker Foundation's goal is to establish a prestigious award that recognizes excellence in Antarctic research by honouring someone in the early to mid-stages of their career. The Prize is inspired by Martha T. Muse's passion for Antarctica and is intended to be a legacy of the International Polar Year 2007-2008.
The prize-winner can be from any country and work in ANY field of Antarctic science or policy, including Climate Change, Life Sciences, Geo Sciences, Physical Sciences, Antarctic Politics. The goal is to provide recognition of the important work being done by the individual and to call attention to the significance of understanding Antarctica in a time of change. The Prize is awarded by the Tinker Foundation and administered by SCAR.
Please visit the Martha T. Muse Prize website for further details. Nominations must be submitted online and will close on 1st May 2011.
Book on 'History of the International Polar Years'
14 February 2011
A new book on the 'History of the International Polar Years' by Susan Barr and Cornelia Lüdecke (eds.) is now available to order.
Although international scientific cooperation - particularly in meteorology - was established previous to the first International Polar Year, the IPY-1 (1882-83) is considered to be the first revolutionary step towards an extensive international cooperation in the polar areas for the benefit of science rather than national prestige and territorial gain. This was followed by IPY-2 (1932-33) and IPY-3 - actually the International Geophysical Year (1957-58) - before the crowning effort of IPY-4 (2007-08). The history of these years is recounted here and explains the political, economic, technical and scientific conditions and expectations that laid the basis for each IPY and which gradually expanded both the scope and extent of our understanding of the complexities in polar regions.
For more information, please visit the publisher's website.
New IASC/SCAR Bipolar Action Group (BipAG II)
9 February 2011
There are many common interests between SCAR and IASC in scientific research in the polar regions and much to be gained from developing a synergy between SCAR and IASC in polar and bipolar research.
To assist IASC and SCAR in thinking about how they might work yet more closely together in future, and how they might best contribute to the International Polar Year and its legacy, a Joint Bipolar Action Group (BipAG) was formed in early 2008. This joint Action Group provided very useful advice to the SCAR and IASC Executive Committees and helped to initiate a number of joint bipolar activities. Previous BipAG Meeting Reports are available from the BipAG webpage.
SCAR and IASC have now agreed to perpetuate this joint advisory group for another two years and to establish BipAG II, the joint Bipolar Action Group on Science Cooperation, with the term of reference to advise the SCAR and IASC Executive Committees on the development of instruments such as workshops, programmes and networks to address bipolar issues. IPY Legacy issues are now considered at the level of joint meetings of the SCAR and IASC Executive Committees. BipAG II is chaired by Cynan Ellis Evans and further details are available on the BipAG II webpage.
Bruno Danis on SCAR-MarBIN, ANTABIF and Biodiversity in Antarctica
31 January 2011
Dr. Bruno Danis, a marine biologist from the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, has spent a large part of his professional career working on biodiversity databases. Since 2005, he has been working on SCAR-MarBIN, SCAR's Marine Biodiversity Information Network, a database to keep track of marine life and biodiversity in Antarctica. Bruno was recently interviewed for the International Polar Foundation's SciencePoles website about SCAR-MarBIN, the new related ANTABIF project (Antarctic Biodiversity Information Facility), and the importance of keeping these networks running.
Read the full interview with Bruno.
New SCAR Strategic Plan 2011-2016, Antarctic Science and Policy Advice in a Changing World
27 January 2011
The study of Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, and their role in the Earth system, has never been more important as the region experiences change that has global implications. The Antarctic region is a "natural laboratory" for scientific research of importance in its own right and impossible to achieve elsewhere on the planet. SCAR's strategic vision is for a world where the science of the Antarctic region benefits all, excellence in science is valued and scientific knowledge informs policy. SCAR's mission is to be the leading non-governmental, international facilitator and advocate of research in and from the Antarctic region, to provide objective and authoritative scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty and others, and to bring emerging issues to the attention of policy makers.
SCAR's new Strategic Plan 2011-2016 aims to foster a sense of dedication and commitment in SCAR members and the community it serves to ensure realisation of the organisation's vision, mission and goals. The Strategic Plan guides collective decision-making about priorities and resource allocation. A pdf of the plan is available immediately. Hard copies will be printed and distributed in due course.
New SCAR Organisational Chart available
27 January 2011
Following the changes to group structure agreed at the SCAR Delegates Meeting last August, the SCAR Organisation chart has been updated. It is available to view on the Organisation page of the SCAR website, where there is also a fully printable version in pdf format.
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