Environmental change is one of the most important challenges we face today. Global climate models demonstrate that Polar Regions play a crucial role in the Earth's climate system. The Arctic region will experience the most severe and rapid warming worldwide, with an annual average temperature increase of 4-8 degrees and a significant increase in precipitation predicted by the end of the 21st century. This will have consequences for humans and the natural environment locally, but also has implications globally. For this reason Svalbard, situated in the High Arctic, is an important arena for investigations of environmental and climate change.
The Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS) connects the world-class research infrastructure owned by several international institutions into a coordinated network of scientific observations in the Svalbard region. SIOS is included in both the Norwegian and the European list of prioritised research infrastructure. The SIOS-InfraNor proposal will contribute to the network with new and upgraded infrastructure for marine, terrestrial and atmospheric research in and around Svalbard. By complementing and building on the existing research infrastructure, SIOS-InfraNor represents a substantial Norwegian contribution to strengthening the Observing System. This will help to address important questions related to Global Environmental Change. SIOS is offering a single-point of access to infrastructure, tools and services on behalf of its membership. It also supports the development of new methods and increased use of satellite data. SIOS cooperates with organisations across the Arctic to share data and best practice, thus facilitating a better understanding of the role of the Arctic in the Earth System.
Environmental change is one of the most important challenges facing humankind and nature today. Global climate models demonstrate that Polar Regions play a crucial role in the Earth's climate system. The Arctic region will probably experience the most severe climate change worldwide with an anticipated warming of four to eight degrees (annual average) and a significant increase in precipitation by the end of the 21st century. Svalbard, situated in the High Arctic, is consequently an important arena for investigations of environmental and climate change.
The Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS) is a distributed world-class research infrastructure that is developing a coordinated regional network for long-term monitoring and research. The SIOS-InfraNor proposal will strengthen the Norwegian node of SIOS with a coordinated and state-of-the-art observation network for marine, terrestrial and atmospheric research to be implemented and operated in and around Svalbard. Based on new and upgraded research infrastructure SIOS-InfraNor will help to address Earth System Science questions related to Global Change. SIOS is offering a single-point of access to infrastructure, tools and services owned or operated by its members. It also stimulates continuous development of methods, ground-based observations and increased use of the available remote sensing resources. SIOS will link with other observational infrastructures across the Arctic to share data and best practice, contributing to a pan-Arctic observational structure that facilitates better regional modelling and understanding of the role of the Arctic in the Earth System.