Award Abstract #0401077
International Research Fellowship Program: Arctic Cetacean Phenology, Biogeography, and Impacts of Climate Change

NSF Org:	OISE Office of International Science and Engineering
Initial Amendment Date:	July 1, 2004
Latest Amendment Date:	October 13, 2006
Award Number:	0401077
Award Instrument:	Fellowship
Program Manager:	Susan Parris OISE Office of International Science and Engineering O/D OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR
Start Date:	October 15, 2004
Expires:	November 30, 2006 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$108548
Investigator(s):	Kristin Laidre klaidre@apl.washington.edu (Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Laidre Kristin L Seattle, WA 98117 / -
NSF Program(s):	EAPSI
Field Application(s):	0510602 Ecosystem Dynamics
Program Reference Code(s):	OTHR, 5956, 0000
Program Element Code(s):	7316

ABSTRACT

0401077

Laidre

The International Research Fellowship Program enables U.S. scientists and engineers to conduct three to twenty-four months of research abroad. The program's awards provide opportunities for joint research, and the use of unique or complementary facilities, expertise and experimental conditions abroad.

This award will support a twenty-two-month research fellowship by Dr. Kristin Laidre to work with Dr. Mads Peter Heide-Jorgensen at the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GINR), in Nuuk, Greenland for a period of 24 months.

Dr. Laidre's research addresses questions concerning the vulnerability of Arctic cetaceans to climate change. The Arctic is currently experiencing dramatic changes in sea ice characteristics and marine productivity, which will have cascading effects on Arctic food webs. Three species of cetaceans (the narwhal, beluga, and bowhead whale) inhabit Arctic waters of West Greenland and are ideal indicator organisms for monitoring ongoing biophysical changes. Dr. Laidre is quantifying the trends in sea ice and primary production in cetacean focal areas using satellite telemetry data on whale movements and diving behavior and remotely-sensed environmental data. This information is used to examine resource selection and differential vulnerability based on quantitative spatial modeling techniques. Results of this work facilitate the understanding of the potential effects of climate change on high Arctic top predators and the sustainability of their exploitation by Inuit communities, linking scientific discovery to societal benefit.

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