Main results of Arctic PASSION achieved so far include:
• Enhancement of existing observations by new data, new instrumentation, calibration and processing schemes for all spheres and steps to unify protocols
• Establishment of the Atlantic-Arctic Distributed Biological Observatory (A-DBO) network and the pan-Arctic DBO network, jointly with international partners
• Initiation of a synthesis results from Synoptic Arctic Survey (SAS) cruises 2020-22, which will be published in a series of synthesis papers
• Creation of a set of Fiducial Reference Measurement datasets and satellite observations of key cryospheric components
• Development of an automatic glacier calving front processing pipeline and production of a high-resolution calving front product for Svalbard and a beta version for large parts of the Arctic
• Supply of all ten terrestrial research stations with instruments for which sensors require minimal human capacity are relevant to the terrestrial Shared Arctic Variables (SAV) on wildfires and permafrost degradation
• Establishment of SAV Expert Panels for ‘wildfire’, ‘permafrost’, and ‘sea ice’, including Indigenous and local experts. Collaboration with the US RNA CoObs project and added resources from Finland and Canada
• Development of a web service offering data standardization following FAIR requirements, where users could upload their data, configure the standardization process and get their data back
• Establishment of a unified data catalogue supporting SAON. Long-term data storage for Arctic data and metadata. Over 5000 data sets from the Arctic realm have been published in PANGAEA during the last 18 months, including own project data sets.
• Creation of first design experiments for model support of observational networks on safe Arctic navigation in ice covered waters; set-up of an Observing System Simulation Experiment for improving short-range weather prediction; identification of the sensitivity regarding simulated maximum active layer depth of permafrost for different conditions; development of a new spatio-temporal modelling software package to reconcile the mass balance of the Svalbard marine-terminating glaciers
• Four of our services have reached operational level: the ‘Event Database’ as a co-created long-term living portal of Indigenous Knowledge, an online viewer for permafrost disturbances, a tool to retrieve daily particulate matter observations and atmospheric forecasts feeding an Artificial Neural Network to improve air pollution prediction, and a ‘Lake Ice Service for Arctic Climate and Safety’, as a customizable web application. Four more services will reach maturity soon
• Application of the benefit assessment tool developed for our Services and SAVs to evaluate societal benefits of the observing system; assessing the benefit potential and benefit-cost ratios for selected Services
• Creation of Policy Briefs with results from dialogues on data needs with local and regional policy makers, and a policy briefing at the European Parliament; creation of an information document for the Senior Arctic Officials and the Arctic Council WGs on our activities
• Creation of a strawman for a synthesis and roadmap based on work from all project actions and dialogue with international initiatives to improve the Arctic observing system
• Continuous dissemination of news on the project and availability of project resources and outcomes via our website in addition to five social media platforms
• A “Sharing Circle for Early Career Professionals and Arctic Youth”, the concept of which now serves as an inspiration for youth activities in the new EU project „Youth Together for Arctic Futures”
