Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Seasonal Dynamics of Microbially Mediated Carbon and Nitrogen Flux in Arctic Plant Communities.  (Plant-microbe C and N flux)

Outline
Arctic ecosystems store large amounts of organic matter that may contribute to carbon dioxide production as climate warms, further enhancing the greenhouse effect. We know that many biological factors, including plant interactions with mycorrhizal fungi and other soil microbes, regulate plant survival and the carbon-balance of arctic tundra but these interactions are poorly understood. We also know little about how microbial communities change over time in arctic ecosystems, and how temporal changes affect carbon and nitrogen cycling. Recently, new advances in technology have allowed us to study belowground communities with resolution not previously possible, leading to new findings about the links between below and above ground community dynamics. Our research will use and expand on cutting-edge technology involving the use of stable isotopes and molecular methods to: 1) examine the role of mycorrhizal fungal networks in facilitating below ground transfer of carbon and nitrogen among tundra plants; 2) determine how carbon and nitrogen flux within plant-mycorrhizal systems varies during the growing season; 3) identify key microbial groups involved in the sequestration and cycling of organic nutrients in the tundra; and to 4) characterize seasonal changes in fungal and bacterial communities. Carbon and nitrogen transfer and fluxes will be examined through soils, plant roots, and fungal networks in ectomycorrhizal, ericoid, and ecto-ericoid plant mixtures. We expect to find greater temporal, spatial, and species complexity involved in these fluxes than previously known, and to discover how these factors interact to control the distribution and abundance of important caribou forage plants and the carbon balance of arctic tundra. This knowledge will help us to predict how tundra plant communities will respond to present and future environmental change and consequently how the availability of caribou forage will change in the future. This information is of use to northern communities dependent on caribou and to policy makers as they plan for the management of carbon emissions in the future.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
Little is known about arctic soil microbes despite their importance for carbon sequestration and nitrogen immobilization in arctic soils and for the survival of arctic plants that are important caribou forage. This study will provide insight to what organisms occupy arctic soils and to their role in carbon and nitrogen cycling. Resulting genetic data will likely reveal novel organisms. This study will use an arctic site as a vantage point to examine biological soil processes that have consequences for human communities dependent on caribou, and that feedback to climate through changes in patterns of vegetation distribution and abundance.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
We belong to the Microbiological and Ecological Responses to Global Environmental Changes in Polar Regions (MERGE) program. MERGE involves participants from 18 countries, including several that are not traditionally involved in polar research and incorporates the following former EOIs: 429, 60, 96, 110, 119, 205, 231, 479, 526, 613, 846.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Toolik Lake Alaska (68o38’N, 149o34’W)

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 06/06-09/08            
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Major support for this project will come from Toolik Lake Field Station (TFS) operated by the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. TFS provides infrastructure and science support for researchers from over 25 countries each year and will support other IPY related research groups during the 2007/2008 period.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
This project will generate scientific data valuable to those interested in arctic vegetation dynamics for climate modelling, caribou forage, and/or C-emission quantification. It will also leave a legacy of genetic sequence data of identified microorganisms. All sequence data will be publicly available through GenBank via National Centre for Biotechnology Information.

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Other sources of support

This research will be primarily supported by an NSERC (Canada) grant to the primary investigator. Toolik Lake Field Station will provide all required field support. Transportation to the field site will be with commercial operators. VECO (USA) is involved in some aspects of maintenance of the TFS site.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes - MERGE has been endorsed by the International Joint Committee, our individual project has not yet been.

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?
Yes

This project is in concert with the MERGE program. MERGE serves to link researchers with common scientific goals and methodologies working on microbiology and biogeochemistry in the Arctic and Antarctic. The scientific goals of MERGE will be achieved by independent or interdependent activities of EoI-based groups.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Dr. Simard will be the team leader and will be primarily responsible for coordination of research activities at TFS and the University of British Columbia. She will organize internal collaboration at UBC and ensure continuous communication with our international MERGE affiliates. Scientific meetings such as International Conference on Alpine and Polar Microbiology (March 27-30, 2006, Innsbruck, Austria) will serve as an opportunity for MERGE members to gather and coordinate our activities.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
We will promote IPY activities through the Belowground Ecosystem Group’s (UBC) website and through seminars held at UBC and UAF. MERGE will be promoted on a dedicated website which will help the general public, especially children, to increase their awareness of Polar environments. Summer students will prepare project reports for presentation at their schools and graduate students will prepare Extension Notes for community organizations. We will communicate with climate modellers to insure that our results will improve climate predictions. All scholarly work will be published in peer reviewed journals and made available on our websites.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Data will be managed accordance with UBC policy and that of our MERGE affiliates. Data will be made available to IPY and MERGE databases in a timely fashion. Genetic data will be deposited in publicly accessible databases such as the National Centre for Biotechnology Information’s GenBank.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We have applied to NSERC (Canada) for funding through the IPY Special Research Opportunity program.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Suzanne Simard
Associate Professor Forest Sciences Department, University of British Columb
2424 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC
V6T 1Z4
Canada

Tel: 604-822-1955
Mobile: no
Fax: 604-822-9102
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation