Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Colonisation of polar mosses and lichens, their influence on the studies of the global climatic change, conservation and human effects using a population genetic approach.  (CoPMaLGA Colonisation of Polar Mosses and Lichens with Genetic Approach)

Outline
The bipolar polar geographical distribution of many plant species could be a gradual spreading of air-spores across the equator like “steppingstones”. This distribution must have happened before the Pleistocene period. Lamb (1949) said from a genetic point of view it is impossible that existing Antarctic endemic species could have developed in such a short time, mainly referring to lichens. The endemic vegetation must have survived in the coast refuges or in nunataks, free of ice. The small evolution rates and old age of many species of mosses could theoretically lead to a substantially genetic uniformity. This is generally not the case, because repeatedly in the smallest areas, mosses often have as high a genetic variability as flowering plants. The geo-molecular differentiation analyses the spreading and movement directions of the Taxa, as well as the identification of refuges. The genetic data delivers antecedents for the evolutionary origin of today's Taxa and define how their areas could have developed. The strong effect of human activities is not the same in different regions, and in some cases, it can become important. International organism recognises the insufficient basic knowledge of these environmental effects to judge it (Dalziell, 1995). In Antarctica there are protected areas (Antarctic Specially Protected Areas-ASPA) and free access areas, the latter more sensitive to human activities. Therefore, it is important to create a baseline with genetic data to evaluate the influence of the protected surfaces over the unprotected surfaces and conversely, how the previous human decisions for the establishment of the ASPAs had influenced the gene pool. Which importance have humans had for the colonisation of some species and the decrease of others by the destruction of habitats? In Antarctica, it is repeatedly the fact that human fragmented populations begin again a new attempt for colonisation (per.obs.).Goals of this project are: to recognise genetic structure of mosses and lichen populations, fragmented populations, the migration quantity, gene flow and identification of refuges, determining genetic variability of communities at selected locations on the Antarctic Peninsula compared to those in southernmost South America. Results will contribute to the evaluation of the impact of global climate change with the detection of possible genetic and morphological adaptations of species, as well as to assist the selection of ASPA’s under the consideration of genetic variability and genetic pool.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The aim is to study mosses and lichens from a genetic population view and to link with other studies such as global climatic change as well as the impact of polar human activities. Another aim is to prove or reject the long dispersal theory for the appearance of this vegetation in the polar regions and thus prove whether these plants are native to the polar region or have been influenced by spores from South America It is also not yet known if the morphological adjustment of many species of mosses is due to a high genetic variability within the genera.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
They are a international collaboration between FVA (Forstliche Versuchs und Forschungs Anstalt, Baden-Württemberg) in Germany and a Chilean Institution to be defined.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
This study require field work in selected protected areas located along the Antarctic Peninsula. Also vegetation communities in surroundings of permanent and seasonal stations need to be sampled. Sampling in selected areas of Patagonia is required.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: n/a
Antarctic: 01/08 – 02/08      01/09 – 02/09      

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Ship support is required. Samples will be recollected opportunistically along the track by going ashore at each station while the ship is docked. Sampling in Antarctic Protected Areas also is needed. This will ensure a great geographical genetic variation and can be fitted in with the ship’s routine schedule

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
No. It is planned to use existent lab infrastructure available in Germany and Chile. New equipment acquired will be donated to Chilean host institution.

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
At present the Chilean National Committee for the IPY is not operational. In the meantime our proposal has been submitted to the Chilean Antarctic Institute and the SCAR National Committee requesting endorsement.

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

Autonomous proposal. It is expected that this project will be part of the Chilean Antarctic research program.

How will the project be organised and managed?
At the moment researchers from two countries are part of this project. They will carry out activities in morphology and genetics. Planning meetings will be carried out in order to define activities, agree on a common protocol to perform the sampling, coordinate resources, etc. It is envisaged to promote the interaction between groups with annual meetings for planning and communication of results. Administration of resources will be done at a local level.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Formation of a new group of genetic investigators will be promoted with the engage of students from Universities.

What are the initial plans of the project to address data management issues (as outlined in the Framework document?
Metadata will be created according Chilean National Antarctic Data Center protocols. These metadata is reported to the JCADM and stored in the Global Change Master Directory.DNA of processed samples will be stored for comparative studies.

How is it proposed to fund the project?
Applications to regular and special polar research grants will be submitted to national (CONICYT, INACH, etc) and international (EU, IFS, etc) levels.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Ms  Ingrid Hebel
Chilean Institution to be defined,Presently PhD. Student at Freiburg University
Forstliche Versuchs und Forschungs Anstalt (FVA Baden Württemberg),Wonnhaldestr. 4, Freiburg i. Br.
79100
Germany

Tel: 0761/4018159
Mobile: no
Fax: 0761/4018334-333
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation