DOI: 10.18739/a2rn3081r
title: The State of the Arctic Sea Ice Cover: Sustaining the integrated seasonal ice zone observing network

description: In a rapidly changing Arctic, the shrinking and thinning sea-ice cover plays an important role as indicator and agent of environmental change. A dramatic shrinking of the perennial ice cover has greatly increased the extent and hence importance of the Arctic seasonal ice zone (SIZ). The SIZ is predicted to occupy much of the Arctic by mid- to late century, but data are sorely lacking to aid in tracking, understanding and predicting change over this important component of the Arctic cryosphere. This interdisciplinary project implements an integrated program for observing seasonal ice in the context of sweeping environmental, (geo)political and socio-economic change in the North. In addition to sampling of sea-ice state variables, the observation-system design is guided by the concept of sea-ice system services (SISS). By assessing the nature and extent of SISS, an integrated observation network can be built that will lead to prediction of key trends in a changing Arctic in a way that provides maximum benefit for the broadest range of affected interests. The project's overarching scientific goal is to track intertwined changes and selected important impacts in a rapidly evolving Seasonal Ice Zone (SIZ) in order to improve our understanding and predictions of the Arctic sea-ice cover over the course of the century. The project will establish a network of researchers, Arctic residents, different institutions with needs for sea-ice information, and other stakeholders. It will deliver infrastructure and an integrated sea-ice data set, leaving a legacy that allows for continued, long-term observations beyond the International Polar Year (IPY) test bed. Specific objectives are to: (1) Identify a set of sea-ice variables that helps answer the key scientific questions and is of greatest value to the stakeholder communities while being operationally tractable. (2) Provide a framework for assessing sea-ice observations during IPY in the context of large-scale spatial and temporal variability. (3) Create a protocol for integrated sea ice observations. Drawing on results from aims #1 and 2, an observation protocol will be developed to guide ice observations during the IPY and beyond. (4) Complete a series of networked, integrated pan-Arctic SIZ observations, and disseminate the data to relevant user and stakeholder groups through appropriate archival and distribution centers. This effort will involve partners from six nations and draw on existing resources and programs already in place. (5) Analyze observations in a dialog with potential users, aimed at refining the observation strategy to create a legacy network for the post-IPY phase. As data from the first season are available, a dialog with representatives of key user groups will take place, aimed at improving the scope and mode of data collection and dissemination. At the end of the project, based on the data sets assembled, an IPY legacy observing network that will rely on a combination of autonomous sensors, local observers and continuing operational and scientific efforts will be outlined. Funds are provided to build on activities of the Seasonal Ice Zone Observing Network (SIZONet). SIZONet Phase I led to the development of the sea-ice system services (SISS) concept, describing societal benefits (and potentially negative impacts) derived from the ice cover. By assessing the nature and extent of SISS, the PIs are able to build a sea-ice observing network that is responsive to the needs of both the scientific community and key stakeholders. SIZONet builds on collaboration with several international partners, and spans the entire latitudinal extent of the Arctic seasonal ice zone (SIZ). Based on common protocol and coordinated observation strategies developed in the context of an international working group led by the project team, SIZONet Phase II refines and narrows the scope of the project and focuses on sustaining core observations. The aim is to provide data and information to scientists and stakeholders that: (1) address the most urgent information needs identified by the Study of Environmental Arctic Change (SEARCH) and related efforts; (2) meet sea-ice user information needs, centering on access, use of ice as a platform, and ice as coastal hazard and regulator of coastal erosion; (3) contribute to development of down-scaling approaches for climate modeling and remote sensing; and (4) are directly tied to SISS, allowing existing collaborations to grow into partnerships that can help track and predict Arctic environmental change and meet long-term information needs. Observations include shore-based and drift-ice measurements of ice motion, key mass-balance variables and critical snow and ice properties such as albedo, as well as airborne ice thickness and property surveys. Measurements in coastal ice, of greatest interest to key stakeholders, include hydrographic moorings, survey measurements and integration of satellite imagery. Local ice observations and joint ice-trail mapping provide a link between sea-ice geophysics and indigenous sea-ice expertise. All SIZONet data is ingested into an archival and dissemination system linked to the Alaska Ocean Observing System, the Geographic Information Network of Alaska, and the Cooperative Arctic Data and Information System.