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Gaps in knowledge and research needs for infrastructure in the Arctic

Gaps in knowledge and research needs for infrastructure in the Arctic

This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor: Peter Saundry

This is Section 6.5 of the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment.
Lead Author: Arne Instanes; Contributing Authors: Oleg Anisimov, Lawson Brigham, Douglas Goering, Lev N. Khrustalev, Branko Ladanyi, Jan Otto Larsen; Consulting Authors: Orson Smith, Amy Stevermer, Betsy Weatherhead, Gunter Weller  

 

The main gaps in knowledge are the lack of site-specific scenarios providing the probability of occurrence of various meteorological conditions (temperature, precipitation, wind, snow and sea-ice thickness and extent, waves, and erosion rates). Monitoring of infrastructure and the coastal environment is essential, as are climate sensitivity analyses.

It is also important to combine engineering knowledge with socioeconomic development scenarios and environmental impact assessments (see Chapters 3, 12, and 15) to evaluate how projected climate change may affect human lives in the Arctic in the future. Studies examining impacts and socioeconomic assessments have been performed in Canada[1]. Studies are also underway for other regions of the Arctic, including Alaska (University of Alaska, Institute of Social and Economic Research) and northwest Russia (Centre for Economic Analysis, Oslo; Norwegian Institute of International Affairs, Oslo; and the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Bergen).

 

Chapter 16: Infrastructure: Buildings, Support Systems, and Industrial Facilities
16.1 Introduction
16.2. Physical environment and processes related to infrastructure
    16.2.1. Observed changes in air temperature
    16.2.2. Permafrost
    16.2.3. Natural hazards
    16.2.4. Coastal environment
    16.2.5. Arctic Ocean
16.3. Infrastructure in the Arctic
16.4. Engineering design for a changing climate
16.5. Gaps in knowledge and research needs

 

References 

  1. ^Couture, R., S.D. Robinson and M.M. Burgess, 2001. Climate change, permafrost degradation and impacts on infrastructure: two cases studies in the Mackenzie Valley. Proceedings of the 54th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, 4–9 September 2001, Calgary, 2:908–915.

 

 

 

Citation

International Arctic Science Committee (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Gaps in knowledge and research needs for infrastructure in the Arctic". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth February 9, 2010; Last revised Date May 7, 2012; Retrieved May 22, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Gaps_in_knowledge_and_research_needs_for_infrastructure_in_the_Arctic>

The Author

International Arctic Science Committee International Arctic Science Committee was established in 1990, began operations in 1991 and today comprises 18 member countries. The IASC member organizations are national science organizations covering all fields of Arctic research. Each national member organization has a mechanism to provide ongoing contact between its IASC council member and its Arctic science community. IASC draws on this structure to identify scientific priorities, members of working groups, etc. An international science ... (Full Bio)

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