Alaska Science Center


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 sheetProject Website

Contacts

Atwood, Todd C., 907-786-7061
Talbot, Sandra L., 907-786-7188

Status: completed
Start Year: 2012
End Year: 2016

Project Sites

Location
North Slope Borough

USGS Mission Area and Program
EcosystemsWildlife Program

Major Initiatives
USGS - Changing Arctic Ecosystems Initiative
USGS - Marine and Freshwater Ecology
USGS - Wetlands and Terrestrial Ecology

Keywords
Climate Indicators