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Future Science Opportunities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean (2011) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

5 Future Directions in Antarctic and Southern Ocean Science
Pages 145-150

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From page 145...
... The United States is well positioned to continue as the preeminent research presence in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean by virtue of having a large national logistical support program and an exceptional pool of scientific talent upon which to draw. The South Pole Station, a major reconstruction project that required a significant portion of available resources of the U.S.
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From page 146...
... The goals of the observing network should be to measure and record ongoing changes, develop advanced understanding of the drivers of that change, and provide input for climate models that will enable the United States to project and adapt to the global impact evidenced by the changing Antarctic environment. Earth system models will need to incorporate the unique (and often unknown)
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From page 147...
... The logistical and scientific successes of the IPY demonstrated that the United States can appro priately support large collaborative international programs. The United States can best retain its leadership role in global science if it takes the lead in future international initiatives.
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From page 148...
... The committee encourages the NSF-led Blue Ribbon Panel to develop a plan to support Ant arctic science in the next two decades that will • improve the efficiency of the support provided by the contractor and enhance the oversight and management of the contractor by the scientific community; • increase the flexibility and mobility of the support system to work in a continent-wide and ocean-wide manner, using as much of the year and continent as possible, and fostering innovative "cutting edge" science; and • maintain and enhance the unique logistical assets of the United States, including the research stations, aircraft, and research vessels with increased icebreaking capabilities, and heavy icebreakers for reliable resupply of the U.S. Antarctic Program.
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From page 149...
... These efforts have the potential to produce thrilling new discoveries and a richer understanding of the planet and the changes it will face in the future. These discoveries will be possible only with a robust and efficient U.S.
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From page 150...
... Gersemia Antarctica, also known as soft coral, under the sea ice near McMurdo station, Ross Island. SOURCE: Rob Robbins/NSF
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Key Terms

  • antarctic program
  • antarctic continent
  • coming decades
  • ocean science
  • observing network

  • antarctic region
  • integrated polar
  • educational program
  • logistical support
  • antarctic environment

  • surrounding oceans
  • polar educational
  • changing antarctic
  • untapped scientific
  • ice sheets

  • logistical capabilities
  • antarctic ice
  • continent brings
  • antarctic atmosphere
  • logistical assets

  • effort required
  • strong logistical
  • continued strong
  • novel sensors
  • moving forward

  • south pole
  • climate models
  • education program
  • decades future
  • priately support


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