A science plan for development of an Arctic System Model

During the past year and half, over a hundred arctic researchers have contributed to a science plan for the development of an Arctic System Model (ASM). The science plan is intended to help guide U.S. funding agencies to establish a capability to simulate the arctic system with unprecedented spatial resolution including biogeochemical, ecosystem, and human dimension components. The plan details four core arctic modeling needs expressed by the community: 1) A platform to develop and refine methods for simulating arctic system components that extend beyond the scope of regional arctic climate models currently in development, 2) Flexible numerical and computational tools that remain at the vanguard of spatial acuity, enabling focused resolution to be used for understanding individual components and regions of the Arctic, 3) Concurrent use of regional and global arctic-centric models to understand the arctic system, with improved methods for simulating arctic processes to be consolidated in a Community Arctic System Model, and 4) Development of the community model in close coordination with observation programs and process studies so that an ASM becomes an integrator of arctic science. ASM development would be subject to oversight from a scientific steering committee, coordinated by a program office that maintains a single, core version of the model, and undergo directed development within working groups. This poster summarizes the science plan, and establishes the case for the ASM being a key vehicle for integrating and capitalizing on knowledge gained before, during and after International Polar Year.