Periodic Reporting for period 3 - INTERACT (International Network for Terrestrial Research and Monitoring in the Arctic)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2019-10-01 al 2021-09-30
-TA and RA calls resulting in more than 430 applications of which 54% were funded to 42 research stations
- a new state of the art web site including INTERACCESS (programme for submission and evaluation of TA/RA applications) has been developed
- new educational material that has reached more than 50 000 students while teachers’ and scientists’ requirements for additional resources have been gathered
- a guidebook on zero-emission to aid station managers to reduce their environmental impacts has been produced
- a field work planning handbook and a practical field pocket guide have been published as a resource to improve safety when doing field work in the Arctic.
- material to guide station managers and users of research stations how to deal with data management have been produced
- the development of a system's approach to provide a rapid response capability to potential environmental hazards
- two trial runs have been completed to test the INTERACT rapid response system and learn for the future
- comprehensive guide books on how to use drones in the Arctic have been published
- a workshop that gathered researchers, indigenous and local peoples and decision makers to formulate best practices for overcoming future environmental challenges
- working with representatives of high level organisations such as the Arctic Council's working group CAFF to implement biodiversity monitoring
- engaging with regional and national governments to derive added value activities and facilitate science diplomacy
- a guidebook to facilitate local adaptation to environmental change
- a Non-Profit Association according to the road map for long term sustainability of INTERACT
- a popular science book based on trans-national access projects called "INTERACT Stories of Arctic Science II"
- a card game to introduce the INTERACT research stations to the general public
Externally, INTERACT is now seen as the major terrestrial research infrastructure of the North and is constantly engaged in supporting national, regional and global organisations as well as informing governments. In addition to integrating, harmonizing and improving research and monitoring at research stations around the North, one of INTERACT's greatest impacts, based on international research agendas, is transforming words to action!
- By uniting new and old research stations, INTERACT has gathered best practices for operating research stations and has even supported development of new research stations. The combined experience and expertise of 89 research stations results in excellent station operations beyond the previous state of the art. INTERACT’s work towards zero emission research stations will have significant impact on reducing environmental damage with beneficial societal consequences.
- It is beyond the state of the art to identify the complex and multiple data flows throughout INTERACT. The next step harmonization of data flow is currently being implemented and individual stations’ data will become more accessible. Increased availability of data from a sensitive and rapidly changing area will have a significant global impact.
- At the end of the project, and including the first phase of INTERACT (2011-2015), more than 1000 scientists from around the world have used TA to carry out excellent science. In our experience, this achievement is unique! and has huge societal benefits.
- For the first time, it is possible to offer a one-stop-shop to identify and respond to potential environmental hazards (e.g. spread of diseases). A system's approach is used to connect field observations with sample analyses and information release to society. The impact for local and even global communities of increasing awareness of potential hazards is likely to be enormous.
- INTERACT has brought together researchers, indigenous and local peoples and decision makers to identify issues in relation to a changing northern environment. It seeks to move beyond the state of the art to improve communication to resolve these issues. While the impacts and societal relevance will be local and specific, the process will have much wider impacts.
- The high level of international collaboration achieved by INTERACT has been acknowledged by numerous Ambassadors. The continuing cooperation is now being facilitated by local governments and national Embassies as a sign of the great success of INTERACT Science Diplomacy.