3rd TPE Workshop reaches new heights

Upon invitation from President of Iceland Olafur Grimsson and the University of Iceland, participants representing 15 countries from around the world attended the 3rd Third Pole Environment (TPE) Workshop. The workshop continued to build on the progress and success of the first two TPE workshops by achieving four main goals, including:

Review and present scientific progress related to TPE research

Small-group theme discussions

Review and discuss the TPE Science Plan draft

Discuss the planning and configuring of TPE flagship research stations

The general workshop agenda consisted of registration Aug 29th, with the opening ceremony during the following morning of Aug 30th. On each of the first two workshop days, academic presentations were followed by group discussions within the following five themes:

Climate

Glaciers

Lakes and rivers

Ecosystems

Natural dynamics of the Third Pole Environment-Lessons from the Past

The TPE Science Plan draft was discussed at the end of the second day, and the discussions were continued in the morning of the third day. A technical meeting on TPE flagship stations was held on the third and final workshop day, and included presentations followed by a round-table discussion. The flagship station discussions centered on the five main topics of:

Standardized equipment for stations

Suggestions for additional flagship stations

Coordinated management and financing

Data availability and data sharing policy

Conclusions and action points

Workshop presentations will be available for download on the TPE website as they are received from the authors. The complete workshop report will also be available soon on the TPE website. The next TPE workshop (2012) will be held in India, with dates and location to be announced early next year.