The Nansen Legacy

The Nansen Legacy is a joint, concrete and ambitious plan to follow Nansen’s example in exploring the Arctic. To establish a holistic understanding of a changing Arctic Ocean and ecosystem, the project will provide the scientific knowledge base needed for future sustainable resource management in the transitional Barents Sea and the adjacent Arctic Basin.   An ice-free Arctic is gradually emerging. The winter sea ice retreat is to date most pronounced in the Barents Sea, the Atlantic gateway to the Arctic. As sea ice retreats and technology and infrastructure improves, it is imperative to rise to the scientific and exploratory legacy of Fridtjof Nansen and move poleward through the Barents Sea. The Norwegian Arctic research community, joint in the Nansen Legacy, will take on Nansen’s tasks with several approaches. First, through a number of multidisciplinary cruises, a holistic “ground truth” will be established for the physical environment and the ecosystem in the northern Barents Sea, and adjacent Arctic Basin. Secondly, there will be an assessment on the impact of human activities in this region, with an emphasis upon ocean acidification, pollution and the impacts of fisheries. Thirdly, using scientific models, a 2020-2100 outlook for the expected state of climate, sea ice, and ecosystem will be provided. This include development of multi-perspective scenarios for the northern Barents Sea developed by scientists and users in a 2050 perspective. Fourthly, in order to improve safety for people and commercial operations, improved polar weather forecasts will be developed. Fifthly, to ensure open data availability in accordance with national and international standards, the Nansen Legacy will improve, secure and operationalize national data archives. At last, most importantly, the core aspect will be the emphasis on recruitment and training of the next generation of cross-disciplinary Arctic researchers, and on engaging and educating the public.