USGS Changing Arctic Ecosystems: Advancing Genomic and Physiological Paramaters as Sensitive Biomarkers of Change (Polar Bear)
Use of a cross-cutting effort to advance genomic and physiological parameters as sensitive biomarkers of climate change that will increase our ability to forecast the response of wildlife populations to changes in ecosystem processes on the Arctic Coastal Plain.Abstract
Through the Changing Arctic Ecosystems (CAE) initiative, USGS strives to (1) understand the potential suite of wildlife population responses to physical changes from climate warming to inform key resource management decisions, and (2) to provide unique insights into how Arctic ecosystems are responding under new stressors. The initiative includes 3 major research themes that span Arctic ice-dominated ecosystems and that are structured to identify and understand the linkages between physical processes, ecosystems and wildlife populations. The initiative also includes a cross-cutting effort to advance use of genomic and physiological parameters as sensitive biomarkers of change. The disciplines of genomic and physiological sciences are both fields of investigation that are rapidly emerging and rely upon advanced technologies. Such scientific approaches will be particularly critical as CAE research arenas are highly complex, requiring strategic definition of key wildlife outcome questions and discussion of the pros and cons of various avenues of investigation prior to study plan development. We see genomic techniques as being immediately helpful in answering 3 types of questions: (1) diets—what they are, how they are changing, and how they link to condition and survival, (2) immune response—as it relates to general stress and response to diseases and contaminants, and (3) evolutionary history— and how this can inform an understanding of adaptation to changing environments and climates in the past and future.
Products
Title | Type |
---|---|
Changing Arctic Ecosystems project site and fact sheet | Project Website |
Contacts
Atwood, Todd C., 907-786-7061Talbot, Sandra L., 907-786-7188
Status: completed
Start Year: 2012
End Year: 2016
Project Sites
Location
North Slope BoroughUSGS Mission Area and Program
Ecosystems → Wildlife ProgramMajor Initiatives
USGS - Changing Arctic Ecosystems InitiativeUSGS - Marine and Freshwater Ecology
USGS - Wetlands and Terrestrial Ecology