Pacific Arctic Group Presentation to AOSB by M. Bergmann (Canada), Chair March 18, 2007 ASSW Hanover, NH, USA

Pacific Arctic Group - overview PAG represents a forum for collaboration and coordination with a focus on fostering information transfer and field planning Partnership to plan, coordinate, and collaborate on science activities of mutual interest as appropriate

PAG definitions Pacific Arctic Region is loosely defined as the area lying between Russia and Alaska (Bering Strait) and extends northward including the Beaufort Gyre and Arctic Ocean and south including the Bering Sea

PAG Themes Theme 1: Undertake seasonal and interannual ocean observations in the Pacific Arctic Sector where recent maximum sea ice retreat is occurring. Theme 2: Understanding oceanic and atmospheric processes in the Pacific Arctic, including the feedback loops, are critical to mid-and low-latitude climate variability. Theme 3: Monitoring fresh water input via precipitation, riverine input, oceanic input, glacial and sea ice melt in the Pacific Arctic sector will improve our understanding of mid-latitude climate variability and provide additional information to support theme 1. Theme 4: Identify and monitor ecosystem and biological indicators and chemical tracers (e.g., ice, water column, benthic, higher trophic organisms, isotopes and trace gases) of climate change in the Pacific Arctic. Theme 5: Investigate sea ice thermodynamics including sea ice thickness, extent, and its interactions with ocean and atmospheric forcing in the Pacific Arctic region. Investigate sea ice dynamics such as sea ice drift, interactions between different ice packs.

Theme 6: Understanding the connectivity of warm Atlantic inflow to the Pacific sector, heat flux throughout Arctic, and associated biodiversity/invasion of Atlantic-species into the region. Physical gateways should be mapped and monitored, including outflow through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Theme 7: The Arctic Ocean is very poorly mapped from the seafloor to the ice above. Significant information gaps include the bathymetry, biodiversity, and knowledge of ocean currents and their variability over space and time. Exploration of the unknown Pacific Arctic region is essential for the construction of base maps necessary for the planning of future monitoring efforts. Theme 8: The Pacific water inflow through the Bering Strait region is a key conduit for heat, salt, nutrients, and biological material (including genetic material) to the Arctic basin that influences sea ice cover, halocline formation, and the carbon cycle. Theme 9: Nearshore coastal processes and subsea permafrost dynamics are important processes in the shallow Pacific shelf areas are subject to climate change impacts. Theme 10: The open and closing of the Pacific gateway has occurred over geological time periods with dramatic impact on the Arctic system. The paleorecord provides a long-term record for comparative evaluation of climatic processes relative to contemporary studies in prior themes.

PAG Executive Committee Current PAG “membership” is led by an interim Executive Committee consisting of a Chair, Vice Chair, Coordinator, and a chair of the Scientific Steering Committee

PAG Secretariat Joint secretariat – Polar Research Institute of China: Shanghai, China provide administrative support for the functioning of the PAG; provide maintenance to the PAG website; organize PAG meetings and record decisions communications function for the PAG Executive Committee, providing a central point for communications to and from the PAG.

Scientific Steering Committee The PAG SSC includes equal representation by countries, including a disciplinary mix. PAG SSC membership is 3 years, renewable for an additional 3 years (outlined in TOR). PAG SSC may form project groups to address specific issues linked to the PAG objectives

PAG History Endorsed by IASC – PAG held its first meeting at Arctic Science Summit Week in Kiruna Sweden in April 2003 – endorsed by AOSB 5 th annual meeting at ASSW Hanover, USA 6 “core” member countries – open meeting with participation from most ASSW attending nations

PAG – AOSB Linkages Current emphasis on marine research Ability to complement AOSB scientific objectives with a specific focus on Pacific Arctic region discussion CHALLENGE – how may this change under the IASC-AOSB review?

PAG Activities proposed PAG Chief Scientist Coordination Meeting Purpose: 1.Bring together Chief Scientists and possibly group leaders to share information on field activities planned during ship-based operations in 2008, 2009 in the PAG area of interest. 2.Prepare description of planned cruise operations, including a combined station list, with description of measurements to be made at each station and types of samples to be collected for later analysis. 3.Identify sites and measurements in common and begin agreement on “standard sites” and “core measurements” that are collected on all cruises 4.Look for opportunities for collaboration during or after cruises. 5.Look for opportunities for data integration and synthesis after cruises. Venue: Fall 2007 (October/November) – location under discussion. Ottawa, Canada proposed Lead: Dr. Jackie Grebmeier – University of Tennessee; Dr. Chen Bo – Polar Research Institute of China

PAG Model Coordination Meeting Purpose: Bring together scientists who are developing numerical models of the PAG region Share expertise on model development and data assimilation Discuss collaboration and joint models where appropriate Discuss ideas for model-based products Lead: Dr. Jia Wang – IARC, University Alaska

PAG IPY emphasis To build on the international opportunities represented by IPY under the banner: Understanding the Cause and Impact of the Continued Warming in the Pacific Arctic

PAG website: New website under construction and will be available April 1, 2007