Integrating Ocean Physics and Biogeochemistry to Assess Polar Ecosystem Sensitivity to Rapid Change

Polar oceans face rapid change, but major knowledge gaps remain in quantifying and predicting physical and chemical change, and in assessing their impacts on polar marine ecosystem structure and function. The prognoses for future polar oceans that will be warmer, fresher, more acidic and covered by less sea ice are not understood, yet these regions are globally significant for planetary heat balance, water mass formation and oceanic circulation, sea level rise, oceanic CO₂ uptake, fisheries and biodiversity conservation. The 2021 GRC on Polar Marine Science "Integrating Ocean Physics and Biogeochemistry to Assess Polar Marine Ecosystem Sensitivity to Rapid Change" will highlight cutting-edge advances in the understanding of physical-chemical-biological linkages and feedback processes across the coupled ocean-cryosphere-atmosphere systems of the Arctic and Southern oceans. Special emphasis will be given to research focused on the impacts on polar marine species, food webs and habitats. Sessions will highlight recent advances in polar climate change detection and attribution, impacts of multiple stressors on biota, changes in habitat distribution, integrated approaches to collect year-round multi-disciplinary observations, and novel methods to analyze and link long-term time-series data with conceptual and numerical models.

Continuing a tradition of highlighting cross-cutting research, the 13^th GRC on Polar Marine Science will bring leading scientists together to present and discuss frontier research in Arctic and Antarctic marine research. The unique GRC format, with invited talks moderated by discussion leaders, plenary discussions and interactive poster sessions, provides a key forum for scientists to explore new ideas and interface across disciplinary boundaries. One-minute oral summaries of posters allow presenters to address the entire group, promoting enhanced interactions, in-depth discussions and brainstorming. A GRC "Power Hour" will be held to help address the challenges women face in polar science and support the professional growth of women in our communities by providing an open forum for discussion and mentoring.

A Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) will be held on the weekend prior to the GRC. The GRS will provide a forum for graduate students and postdoctoral scientists to present their work in a peer-to-peer setting. The participants will discuss cutting-edge aspects of their research, and have the opportunity to build collaborative relationships with other early career researchers as well as with established scientists and mentors. Financial support will be offered in priority to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows attending both the GRC and the preceding GRS.