Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Health of arctic bird populations  (BIRDHEALTH)

Outline
Pathogens and parasites affect the fitness of individual animals and structure population numbers and distribution. The immune response to these harmful agents is essential but not constant over time and place. Variation between populations, individuals and geographic locations is the focus of this study in an effort to quantify relevant parameters and to experimentally test the consequences of these differences. Subject of this research are individually marked arctic breeding birds. The individual markings offer the possibility to relate health conditions and experimental manipulations to individual fitness and lead to a basic understanding of the relevance of monitored variation. Pathogens can be quantified using standard tests, mainly on blood samples or cloacal swaps, which can detect the pathogen itself or the antibodies which appear after infection. Parasites can be detected by the presence of eggs in the faeces or by close examination of the live bird. The immune repons can be tested by challenging an individual with e.g. sheep red blood cells or related tests. This project aims to bring together various disciplines of research (ecology, physiology and medicine) and organize circumpolar field sampling in the International Polar Year. It needs to evolve in a circumpolar mapping of geographic variation and a modelling of scenarios following global change. Management implications relate not only to the management of wild animal populations but also to transmission of diseases via migratory birds to domestic livestock or even man.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
This project relates very well to themes 1 to 4. It aims to quantify spatial and temporal variability. It aims to link animal diseases with animal numbers and distribution, which are relevant for nature management and as a food source for Arctic people. The Arctic has been proposed as a relatively save environment devoid of pathogens and parasites. Bird migration to the Arctic breeding grounds would then be an adaptation to reduce the risk of infection. This hypothesis links to global change. Migratory birds have been vectors for transmission and spread of diseases with implications for livestock (avian influenza) and man (west nile virus) on a global scale. Observations of individually marked arctic breeding birds in temperate regions will help to unravel the role and consequences of health issues on wildlife and involve a wider public in Arctic issues. Health in birds has also a direct relation with polution issues.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
This project involves cooperation and coordination between field expeditions in IPY to catch, mark and sample birds on a circumpolar scale. The project depends heavily on international multidisciplinary collaboration for the development of sampling schemes, the analysis of results and the modelling of implications of change. Sofar scientists from 10 countries have shown interest and this number is still growing.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
At present, the project aims at an arctic circumpolar mapping of variation and can easily be extended to a bipolar or global scale.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: May 2007 – September 2007      May 2008 - September 2008      
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Already, there are annual expeditions, to ring and mark arctic breeding migratory birds like geese and swans. These activities must be enhanced to cover a circumpolar perspective. The project can link easily with any other project studying biological diversity like COMAAR, SVALPLAT or ACCO-net. We hope that the IPY will provide opportunities to incorporate this project in many other studies on biological diversity.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
Yes. The project is endorsement by the IPY committee of the Netherlands, but will be send in to the national committees of all scientists joining the project.

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?
New

The proposed study seeks to scale up knowledge about measurements and techniques to a circumpolar scale, hoping for new insights in variation and the consequences of variation. The scaling up is only possible as part of the IPY.

How will the project be organised and managed?
The project needs a lot of coordination in advance of the IPY and international cooperation on the analysis of the results. At this stage, a website is acting as a platform to bring together people and ideas for this project (http://www.biol.rug.nl/loonen/ipy). This website already has shown a wonderful management and outreach tool with 118 pageviews on 13 Jan and 20 scientists showing interest in the project. Additional coordination and management will depend on endorsement and funding.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
The project has high potential for public attention. The project hopes to show the consequences of health issues for animal and human societies at a global scale. All participants will act as ambassadors explaining the issues and the findings to a general public. Internet will be an important tool for providing information. The internet will be used intensively and press releases will be made at any major step forward.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Internet. Already our project website shows working databases with public access.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
National funding agencies should provide additional funds. Activity of field parties also relies on other sources of funding.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
The project hopes to create via a bottom-up approach an international cooperation between scientists, which can easily be approached from the top-down.

PROPOSER DETAILS

Dr Maarten Loonen
Arctic Centre, University of Groningen
P.O.Box 716,
9700 AS Groningen
9700 AS
Netherlands

Tel: +31.50.3636834
Mobile: +31.6.20550716
Fax: +31.50.3634900
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation