evolution and biodiversity in the antarctic: the response of life to change lsssg primary proposal
TRANSCRIPT
Evolution and Biodiversity in the Antarctic:
The response of life to change
LSSSG primary proposal
Describe the past, understand the present
and predict the future…
EBA
The Science
Using a suite of modern techniques and an interdisciplinary approach EBA will:
– Explore the evolutionary history of modern Antarctic biota
– Examine the role of Antarctic biodiversity in present-day ecosystem function
– Predict the responses to future
environmental change
EBA will..
Integrate research in marine, terrestrial and
freshwater ecosystems in a manner never
before attempted
Advance evolutionary and ecological science
globally using model systems and organisms
from the Antarctic
The science structure
• Matrix system
• Five broad objectives
• Three realms (marine, terrestrial, freshwater)
• Spatial and temporal variation
• Use of state-of-the art integrative science
methodologies, particularly new molecular
technology
The five objectives
1. Evolutionary history of
the Antarctic biota
Interaction with geoscientists to establish a
clearer picture of the physical history of the
Antarctic
Use of modern molecular techniques to advance
our understanding of how evolutionary processes
are related to the physical setting
2. Evolutionary Adaptation to the Antarctic
Environment
Studies of how organisms living at the extremes survive are central to developing our understanding of how life adapts to its environment
2. Evolutionary Adaptation to the Antarctic
Environment
There will be:
Exploration of limits of organismal performance
Examination of adaptations that allow organisms to survive in the Antarctic today and their response(s) to environmental changes
3. Patterns of gene flow and consequences for population dynamics
Isolation is a driving force of evolution in the Antarctic (and elsewhere)
– Deep oceans– Circulation patterns (oceanic and atmospheric)– Ice
Seek to understand the extent of isolation of Antarctic populations
Examine:– Population structure and dynamics– Dispersal to and around the Antarctic– Genetic make-up and gene flow
3. Patterns of gene flow and consequences for population dynamics
4. Patterns and diversity of organisms and ecosystems in the
Antarctic
Examination of biodiversity:
– Spatial and temporal variation
– Latitudinal and environmental gradients
– Unexplored areas
– Relationships with global patterns
5. Impact of past, current and future environmental change on biodiversity and ecosystem function
Examination of how environmental changes are driving evolution
Prediction of future outcomes
Why Now ?
Largest challenge facing humankind is the management of the Earth System to ensure a sustainable human future
A thorough and profound knowledge of the way in which life has evolved and the likely way in which it will change is required urgently
Why Now ?
• The Antarctic and the Southern Ocean are
fundamental to the Earth System
– Influencing the pace and nature of change
– Responding to change in integrated system of
biological modulated teleconnections
The SCAR community offers the
opportunity for a regional approach to
harness a wide variety of international
resources both physical and intellectual
Why Now ?
The need to understand the impact of climate
change on biota is the most pressing issue of our
time
EBA provides the opportunity for ALL Antarctic
biologists to focus their activities into an area of
utmost importance in a program that offers an
un-precedented level of synergy in Antarctic
research
Why now ?
If we delay ?
• Many National programs will not delay research into these fundamental and high priority areas
• Lack of funding will reduce the opportunities for capacity building among nations
• If collective research is delayed, the development of a profound understanding of the impact of environmental change across an entire biome will be delayed by decades
Timing - opportune
Well developed tools for comprehending interactions between the physical environment and biota are sufficiently advanced to allow integration from molecular to ecosystem scales
Timing - IPY
Census of Marine life • Last opportunity to participate in a very
successful global initiative (completed in 2010)• High Profile IPY activity • Many nations and ships exploring unknown
parts of the South Ocean • Potential for Sloane Foundation funding
($1.25M US with 15% to SCAR)
Operational and Technical feasibility
State-of-the art enabling technology, particularly genomic tools are well established
Will promote development of some new technologies – remote operated vehicles for deep seas, under-ice and air craft, remote sensors and real time monitoring (sensor web)
Degree of international involvement
• High• Many nations have compatible national
programs/ strategic plans• Circum-Antarctic Census of Marine Life
– Commitment of 6 ships so far– Possibility of more
• Many opportunities for capacity building
Data archival and access
• Two Antarctic databases/ portals already developed which can be expanded to accommodated the program– RISCC terrestrial/ freshwater biodiversity database
AADC– MARBIN marine biodiversity portal (Belgium)– Both linked to GIBIF, OBIS and GENBANK
Public/policy profile
• IPY – high opportunity for expanding public consciousness
• Annual multidisciplinary workshops will increase the opportunity for scientific exchange and therefore highlight the role of SCAR
• Scientific papers contributing to the fundamental processes of evolution will increase SCAR’s profile
Value added by SCAR involvement
• Absolute necessity – as SCAR provides the platform for the whole of the
Antarctic approach
• No other BIOME on the planet can be explored so effectively
Education and outreach (E&O)
• Outreach via National Programmes and SCAR Outreach committee
SCAR Strategic Plan
• Leading edge, high profile science of global importance
• Topic is the most pressing issue of our time• Can not be achieved without the SCAR
framework in terms of co-ordination and facilitation
• Opportunity for capacity development and cross-discipline interactions
Prepared by D. M. Bergstrom. Images © AAD and D Bergstrom, W Papps, G Hoise, J Kitchner, M Riddle, K. Kiefer, B. Wienecke
Thank you