Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Climate effects on microbial communities involved in methane cycling in arctic terrestrial ecosystems.  (Methane cycling in arctic soil)

Outline
Objectives; The overall objective is to obtain detailed knowledge and understanding of the diversity and function of microbial communities in high latitude wetland ecosystems involved in transformation of the greenhouse gas methane. The specific objectives are to; •Compare in situ fluxes, relative contribution of major methanogenic pathways and activity and structure of microbial communities involved in methane cycling to elucidate the influence on methane emission by climate as compared to soil properties. •Study the effect of climate parameters on the activity and abundance of microbial populations with key functions in methane transformation •Study responses to freezing and thawing, with respect to survival and recovery of methane transforming communities. •Establish clone libraries of microbial communities in selected wetland environments to link phylogenetic and functional information. •Educate students in arctic microbial ecology. The soil microbial community plays an essential role in terrestrial-atmosphere climate interactions as it contains key organisms responsible for gas exchange between the terrestrial environment and the atmosphere. Methane is one of the most important greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. Release of methane is dependent on the activities of methane producing, strictly anaerobic methanogenic archaea in anoxic soil layers, and the methane oxidising bacteria (methanotrophs) in oxygenated surface layers. The project specifically addresses microbial processes related to methane; the structure, activity and responses to environmental changes of the microbial community involved in methane cycling in arctic and subarctic soil ecosystems. Important questions to be answered are: How different are the diversity, community composition and metabolic potential of prokaryotes involved in methane cycling in habitats related to latitudes, soil types and seasons? How do the abundance and activity of specific microbial populations in key processes vary with environmental variables such as temperature, freeze/thaw cycles and humidity? To what extent is methane emission rates and response to climatic changes related to the structure of microbial communities? Is it possible to identify specific indicator microorganisms with high responsiveness to environmental changes? The project will implement “state of the art” methods in microbial ecology and apply novel molecular (microarray, real-time PCR) and analytical methods both in field studies and experimental studies in the laboratory. Due to their short generation time and great adaptability, microbial populations respond rapidly to variations in environmental conditions. Thus, changes in microbial populations and communities may be useful indicators of the effect of climatic changes on arctic and subarctic terrestrial ecosystem.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Better knowledge in arctic microbial ecology, and especially of the methane transforming microorganisms for more reliable prediction of further trends in atmospheric methane concentrations. Arctic environments may also hold novel microorganisms of both scientific and applied value. In addition microbial populations may be used as indicators of environmental changes. Microbial populations with their high growth rates, genetic flexibility and great adaptability, may respond rapidly to changes in environmental conditions. Changes in the structure and diversity of microbial communities may therefore be valuable indicators of natural or anthropogenic induced climate changes and pollutions.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
The project involves an active collaboration with Professor P. Frenzel Professor C. Murrell, University of Warwick, U.K. and Dr. L. Bodrossy. The team has complementary competence in methanogens, methanotrophs, molecular and analytical methods, field studies and experimental studies in the laboratory.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
We will study ecosystems at two high latitudes: arctic sites with permafrost soils at Svalbard and subarctic sites with non-permafrost soils in the northern mainland of Norway, Finnmark. These ecosystems will be compared with ecosystems at lower latitudes through collaboration with Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Marburg, Germany.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 08/2007      08/2008      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Existing research station in Ny-ålesund and UNIS, Longyearbyen.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Arctic gene sequences

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Own national polar operator
National agency
Other sources of support

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
The program is rooted in the institutions research strategies; Arctic biology and population dynamics at the Department of Biology, University of Tromsø, and is within the strategy both with regard to studies on northern ecosystems and application of Functional Genomics approaches. It is also within the proposed field of priority for Norwegian research in Arctic on understanding ecosystems and effect of climate change (NFR: Policydocument for Norwegian research in Arctic 2004-2008).

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND STRUCTURE

Is the project a short-term expansion (over the IPY 2007-2008 timeframe) of an existing plan, programme or initiative or is it a new autonomous proposal?
Exp

The two groups in Norway have a well established collaboration based on projects entitled; “Microbial production and consumption of methane in tundra ecosystems”, within the previous Norwegian Research Council`s ALV program (Arctic Light and Heat). At present one PhD student at University of Tromsø is working within the proposed area.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The international collaborations are well established and a common project meeting will be arranged before the first field season. P. Frenzel will participate in the field work together with M. Svenning, V.Torsvik and students. Samples form the field will be sent to the other groups (L. Bodrossy and C. Murrell). Most of the instrumentation and infrastructure needed are established, and the project will benefit from the international collaborations and national technology platforms within FUGE (Functional Genomics). Students will stay in the collaborating laboratories abroad. Microbial sequences representative for arctic environments and isolated microorganisms, should be attractive for the international scientific community.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Education (Master and PhD) will be an integrated part of the project for all participants.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Arctic microbial sequences will be submitted to public databases. Novel microorganisms will be deposited in culture collections.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
By support from National Research Councils, EU and bilateral agreements. The research is at present supported by one university PhD position at Department of Biology, University of Tromsø and small grants from the University of Tromsø for field work and international collaboration in molecular biology (FUGE).

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Pro Mette Marianne Svenning
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Tromsø


9037 Tromsø
Norway

Tel: 47 776 44432
Mobile: 47 917 40426
Fax: 47 77646333
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation