Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Discovering past migrations and centres of diversity of arctic-alpine plants using DNA markers  (DNA variation in arctic-alpine plants)

Outline
We propose to use DNA markers of several widespread arctic-alpine plants to understand the origins and migrations of the arctic flora, evaluate the existence of full-glacial refugia, identify centres of genetic biodiversity, and in so doing inform decisions concerning conservation and adaptation to climate change. We are focusing on mountain sorrel (Oxyria digyna), alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum), alpine bluegrass (Poa alpina), moss campion (Silene acaulis), sibbaldia (Sibbaldia procumbens), and four-sided mountain heather (Cassiope tetragona). Understanding the origins of the current circum-arctic flora is important in helping to determine how it will be affected by climate changes. Study of plants can also serve as a "proxy" to predict what might be happening with other less well-studied groups of organisms, such as insects and fungi. Because many plant species do not disperse readily, they may show a high degree of local differentiation and thus be superior indicators of local and regional changes. Patterns of molecular variation can be used to identify refugia, indicate which populations are likely the oldest, and suggest pathways of migration and dispersal. A molecular approach can greatly enhance existing understanding that is based on species distributions alone. Molecular patterns within European plant species have revealed the location and role of refugia in the Alps, and pointed to migration pathways for several different plants. The use of this tool to understand geographic patterns in North American alpine plants has received little attention by comparison. The general consensus is that 18-20,000 years ago Canada was glaciated, except for the northwest high arctic islands, Beringia and possibly areas along the Pacific coast. Our initial studies of chloroplast DNA of mountain sorrel (Oxyria digyna), suggest that this species likely survived in inland continental refugia such as northern high mountains of British Columbia, currently thought to have been covered by ice. Using collections already in hand and those to be made by us and a wide-ranging net of collaborators, we will analyze and map the genetic diversity of these six species across the Canadian Arctic and relate it to diversity in the circum arctic zone and adjacent mountain ranges.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project will aid in identifying areas of high genetic diversity (theme 1) and will establish the migration of route of the six target species following the Wisconsin or earlier glaciations (theme 3). Improving our understanding of how plants have responded to past climate changes by better understanding their migration routes will improve predictions concerning future responses (theme 2). In western North America, the use of DNA markers is a novel approach to addressing phytogeographic and population genetic questions of arctic-alpine species (theme 4).

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
Collaborators from the United States, Norway and China have offered to make collections for us in geographically important locations that we cannot easily reach. Several of these collaborators have generously made collections for us already and will send samples from their own field sites.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Either we or our collaborators will make collections from northern Canada (Northwest Territories, Nunavut, and Yukon), British Columbia, Manitoba, northwestern United States, Scandinavia, China and possibly eastern Russia.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: 7/2007– 8/2007      7/2008 – 8/2008      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Access to collecting areas will be by automobile, floatplane or helicopter. It is unlikely that these resources could be shared with others.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

How is it envisaged that the required logistic support will be secured?
Commercial operator
Own support

We will make our own arrangements for all travel.

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
No - We are currently seeking endorsement letters

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

The three co-applicants, Drs. Geraldine Allen, Richard J. Hebda and Kendrick L. Marr will oversee sample collection in 2007-2008. Workshops in two northern communities will familiarize northerners with the species themselves and how to properly make collections. Laboratory analysis will be carried out in Dr. Allen's laboratory at the University of Victoria and supporting facilities that are available in the Biology Department, from 2007-2009. At least one technician/student will be hired for the laboratory work, under the supervision of Allen and Marr who are experienced in the methods. Many samples have already been collected from BC, Yukon and southern Alaska.

How will the project be organised and managed?
Through workshops in two northern communities (Whitehorse and Yellowknife), field work in the north, a plain language manual and lab opportunities, we will provide training to potential northern collaborators. At completion we will make presentations in these same communities and publish the results in scientific, peer reviewed journals.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?

How is it proposed to fund the project?
We are requesting funds from the national funding agencies of IPY. The Royal BC Museum has provided funding in the past for fieldtrips within BC.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Geraldine Allen
University of Victoria
Department of Biology
P.O. Box 3020, Victoria, BC
V8W 3N5
Canada

Tel: 250-721-7110
Mobile: no
Fax: 250-721-7120
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation