Scientific Monitoring Tasks

Due to the remoteness of and difficult conditions found on the Greenland ice sheet, little knowledge and data has been collected, particularly above the Arctic Circle. Additional on the ground measurements would provide vital data to contribute to a greater understanding of the dynamics of the ice sheet.

We have therefore tied up with the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Programme and the University of Alaska Fairbanks for the following monitoring tasks during the expedition.

1. Measurement of snow thickness levels
   Snow thickness is an issue that is particularly devoid of much on-the-ground research and the team will be using probes on a daily basis to measure the thickness of the previous year's snow.
   
   
2. Measurement of snow densities at lower levels,
   Every 5 days the team will be digging a snow pit to measure the variability of the snow density.
   
   
3. Measuring of Katabatic Winds
   Which areas are affected, and in which way. Ground truth to compare with satellite data.
   
   
4. Measuring of supra glacial lakes
   On July 2006 an 11 billion gallon lake that covered 5.6 square kilometers drained in 16 hours.  Water pressure created a crack though 900 meters of ice to bedrock at one and a half times the volume of Niagara Falls. Over wide areas the ice sheet and outlet glaciers speed up during the summer season in response as these waters lubricate their flow.

   We will be monitoring and measuring any supra glacial lakes that we encounter.

5. Monitoring of Ivory Gulls

   
   

   
   The Ivory Gull is the only bird species we are likely to encounter on the ice cap and there has been recent concern with regard to this species due to dramatically declining numbers in parts of the Arctic. In Greenland, Ivory gulls are expected to be breeding on the east side of Nunataks (exposed rocky elements of the ice cap) along the east coast of Greenland, sheltered from the heavy Pitaraq winds from the west.  They may also be encountered further inland.  The discovery of new breeding colonies would be of great benefit to researchers.

   The team will be noting numbers and GPS positions of any birds seen to assist with the monitoring programme of the CBMP.

6. Monitoring of Nunatuk plant communities
   Nunataks often support a surprising assemblage of species living life on the edge – plants, insects and even bird communities may be present.  We will be photographing and recording any plant communities on Nunatuks that we encounter.