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Pages 1-14

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From page 1...
... The most recent International Polar Year, in 2007-2009, highlighted the significance of Arctic research globally and established a benchmark for assessing change and unveiling the future challenges facing the Arctic research community. In this study, the committee was asked to examine "emerging research questions" in the Arctic (see Statement of Task in Box 1.1)
From page 2...
... Topics here include international and interagency cooperation, investing in and funding Arctic research, long-term observations, managing and sharing information, building operational and human capacity, and acting with knowledge. The report's goal is not to resolve all of these challenges but rather to identify key gaps that may hinder the ability to address emerging research needs in the Arctic.
From page 3...
... This scheme allowed us to evaluate whether potential research questions met the criteria to be considered "emerging," pointed us to the need for greater sharing of information to increase the pool of common knowledge, and reminded us to leave room for addressing future surprises. EMERGING QUESTIONS We present our emerging research questions under five headings: Evolving Arctic, Hidden Arctic, Connected Arctic, Managed Arctic, and Undetermined Arctic.
From page 4...
... There is great variability in the currents and conditions that drive Arctic Ocean circulation, and these are changing rapidly as sea ice retreats and Arctic weather patterns change. The role of Arctic Ocean circulation as a driver of variability throughout the system is poorly understood.
From page 5...
... What can "break or brake" glaciers and ice sheets? Glaciers and ice sheets are currently losing mass throughout the Arctic, but positive and negative feedbacks that accelerate or retard ice loss and ice flow over various timescales are not well understood.
From page 6...
... Climatic and meteorological connections in particular may have far-reaching implications globally, for example through rising sea level due to mass loss from land-based Arctic ice, and through weather patterns affected by sea ice loss and disproportionate Arctic warming. The experiences of Arctic cultures can inform and be informed by those of indigenous peoples elsewhere.
From page 7...
... Ice loss from local glaciers and ice caps as well as the Greenland Ice Sheet will cause sea level rise worldwide, but the rate of loss is difficult to predict. Furthermore, the loss of gravitational pull from the ice, the rebound of the land underneath, and shifting ocean currents will affect sea level regionally and globally, but in ways that cannot be predicted with accuracy.
From page 8...
... Whether these changes will lead to conflict or cooperation remains to be seen, but research on these topics is essential to understand the drivers of change and their implications near and far. This section highlights five emerging questions spanning disciplines, fields, and sectors: How will decreasing populations in rural villages and increasing urbanization affect Arctic peoples and societies?
From page 9...
... In many cases, such resources apply equally well to existing research questions and thus serve Arctic research in general. We did not assess resource questions exhaustively, but we raise them here for further consideration by agencies and others seeking to increase Arctic research capability in ways that effectively address the most pressing questions.
From page 10...
... Sustaining Long-Term Observations Long-term observational data are essential for detecting change and for putting research findings into context. There are, however, few long-term observation efforts under way and too little coordination among those that do exist.
From page 11...
... Growing Human Capacity Arctic research depends on sufficient human capacity, including scientists trained in the necessary fields who are capable of interdisciplinary collaboration and working across the Arctic. During the International Polar Year, concerted efforts were made to involve young researchers, and those opportunities helped to train the next generation of scientists in Arctic research.
From page 12...
... Systems research and synthesis research often require more than individual projects, and thus can be difficult to carry out effectively when proposals are considered individually and projects are conducted independently over short time periods. Funding non-steady state research will be necessary to better understand the dynamics of thresholds, resilience, and transformation in a rapidly changing Arctic.
From page 14...
... Aurora borealis, base camp, Baffin Island, Arctic Canada. Photo credit: M


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