Polar ice is a key component of the global climate system, interacting with the biosphere, atmosphere, ocean, and solid earth. It is sensitive to changing atmospheric and oceanic conditions and currently undergoing rapid change. Melting ice from the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets contributes to sea level rise while changes in sea ice impacts ocean biology, air-sea exchanges, and ocean circulation. Ice at the poles is highly reflective and changes to the surface area or ice surface reflective properties impact the Earth’s radiation balance. Several feedback mechanisms amplify the impact of the polar regions on the global climate. Thus, monitoring the cryosphere, and understanding the underlying physical processes that govern its behavior are critical to understanding recent and future global change.
Despite the importance of polar observations, the remote and harsh nature of these regions means in situ measurements are often sparse. Therefore, satellite and airborne based observations are the only means to provide large-scale and continuous measurements of the polar regions.
The Cryospheric Sciences Program supports investigations of polar ice, including the Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets, polar glaciers, and sea ice in the Arctic and Southern Oceans, that are based on satellite and airborne remote sensing. The program seeks to improve our understanding of cryospheric processes, link the cryosphere to the global climate system, and/or advance predictive capabilities.
Deadlines:
- NOI: Sep 13, 2024
- Proposal: Oct 16, 2024