Polar Shelves and Shelf Break Exchange in Times of Rapid Climate Warming

Following the tradition of excellence of the Gordon Research Conference (GRC) Series, the 2015 GRC on Polar Marine Science "Polar shelves and shelf break exchange in times of rapid climate warming" will bring together leading investigators in Arctic and Antarctic marine research to present and discuss cutting edge interdisciplinary polar science. The unique GRC format, with invited dialog leaders and talks, followed by discussion periods and interactive poster sessions, provides an avenue for scientists from different disciplines to get inspired and to brainstorm about the Arctic Ocean of tomorrow. It promotes indispensable cross-disciplinary collaborations in the various polar research areas. Aside from scientific excellence, creative and open scientific exchanges and an unparalleled learning platform are hallmarks of the Gordon Research Conference Series. This will be more than ever supported by extended discussion sequences and selected postdoctoral scientist that, in concert with senior scientists, create discussion teams. The GRC poster sessions on Polar Marine Science have a reputation for scenarios of vivid and in-depth discussions and this tradition is continued. There will also be informal daily, moderated, "speakers corner" events where all participants are welcome to air ideas, prospects and opinions on polar marine science.

Dynamic and thermodynamic processes associated with warming trends are impacting sea ice cover, oceanographic processes and atmosphere-ocean interactions across polar regions at an unprecedented rate. Nowhere are these changes stronger, more evident and more impacting polar oceans than along polar shelves. Observations and models of polar shelves show fundamentally different regional ecosystem responses. The non-linear and multi-directional shelf break exchange and biogeochemical responses of polar shelves to atmospheric and oceanographic forcings emphasize the need to consider, strengthen and increment our observations and to reconcile models. The 10th GRC on Polar Marine Science will discuss recent developments and challenges emerging from contemporary and paleo-climate observations and models. This GRC addresses the structure, function and controls of polar shelf systems through topics such as sea ice, biogeochemical cycling, atmosphere-ocean forcing and interaction, food web trophodynamics, and fluxes, and a spectrum of ecological players, processes and interactions. To this end stronger than usual emphasis will be provided to formal and informal discussions.

A Gordon Research Seminar (GRS), providing a forum for graduate students and postdoctoral scientists to present their work, will precede the GRC on Polar Marine Science. The participants will discuss cutting edge aspects of their research, and build collaborative relationships with their colleagues and established scientists, at a critical time in their careers and accompanied by mentors. Financial support will be offered in priority to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows attending both the GRC and the preceding GRS.