Expressions of Intent for International Polar Year 2007-2008 Activities

Expression of Interest Details

PROPOSAL INFORMATION

Winter fattening in the Svalbard ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus hyperboreus); An adaptation to Arctic isolation?  (Winter fattening in Svalbard ptarmigan)

Outline
This proposal aims at testing the hypothesis that the massive deposition of body fat in winter, reaching more than 30% of body mass, in the Svalbard ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus hyperboreus), is an adaptive consequence of the fact that they are living on an isolated high Arctic island, prevented from migrating south during the dark part of the winter. The hypothesis infers that this particular fattening creates emergency stores of energy, which, although energetically costly, may be of critical importance for survival in periods of severe weather during the permanent darkness of the mid winter. Implicit in this hypothesis, is that high Arctic ptarmigan inhabiting similar latitudes (e.g. at Ellesmere Island and northern Greenland) with the possibility to migrate out of the region characterised by midwinter darkness, do not deposit fat in winter, at least not to the extent as that seen in the Svalbard ptarmigan. In order to test our hypothesis, we propose to carry out the following activities:·Collect biological materials from ptarmigan (Lagopus m. captus) living at Ellesmere Island and/or northern Greenland, and, together with samples collected from our captive Svalbard ptarmigan, perform standardized procedures to establish the degree of genetic similarity and diversity between the two rock ptarmigan subspecies. ·Collect ptarmigan at Ellesmere Island and/or northern Greenland in late autumn, to obtain information about possible fat deposition.·Collect ptarmigan eggs or chicks at Ellesmere Island and/or northern Greenland, rear the birds in captivity at the Univ. Tromsø and compare the seasonal changes in body mass, fattening, food intake and other parameters such as plumage and reproductive changes with those of the Svalbard ptarmigan under identical conditions.Fieldwork is planned to take place in 2007, with 2008 as a back-up. The preferred site is Station Nord, Greenland, with Alert at Ellesmere Island as an additional site, if given the opportunity.

What significant advance(s) in relation to the IPY themes and targets can be anticipated from this project?
The present proposal has been developed to adhere to the proposed IPY-project “Islands of Arctic Life”. It addresses several IPY sub-themes, such as evolution, genomics and biodiversity, but mainly it addresses the one aspect of the environment that is entirely unique to very high latitudes; the extreme seasonal changes in photoperiodic conditions. In a perspective of “global climate changes”, we propose to study how animal adaptation relates to two different aspects of environmental input; · the photoperiodic conditions, that are unique and unchanging, and · the climate conditions, that may change significantly.

What international collaboration is involved in this project?
We are currently establishing collaboration with Canadian researchers experienced in ptarmigan speciation based on molecular genetic analyses. For logistic support we have established contact with Morten Rasch, Danish Polar Center (Station Nord), and we are seeking collaboration with Nunavut Wildlife Service, Dept. Sustainable Development, Pond Inlet, Nunavut, Canada.

FIELD ACTIVITY DETAILS

Geographical location(s) for the proposed field activities:
Outline the geographical location(s) for the proposed field work (see Note 3) Depending on transport and field logistics, including permissions to collect birds, we propose to do our work out of Station Nord (first choice) or Thule (second choice), both on Greenland, and/or Alert at Ellesmere Island, Canada.

Approximate timeframe(s) for proposed field activities:
Arctic: May/07 – Jul/07      Sep/07 – Oct/07      may/08 – Jul/08
Antarctic: n/a

Significant facilities will be required for this project:
Transport of 3 persons with 4 units of equipment (max 50 kg per unit) from Tromsø, May 2007 and 2008 and Sep 2007, to Ellesmere Island / northern Greenland, and into the field, with returns. Field transport may also require the use of helicopter.

Will the project leave a legacy of infrastructure?
Insignificant

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

Has the project been "endorsed" at a national or international level?
A copy of this proposal will be submitted to the Norwegian IPY-committee

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 Project Component of an existing or planned activity ? This is a new autonomous proposal that has been developed within the framework of the proposed project “Islands of Arctic Life”, and may use common logistics for transport and field activities, if possible.

How will the project be organised and managed?
This project will be organised and managed by the Department of Arctic Biology, University of Tromsø, Norway, within the framework and under the auspices of the Norwegian IPY-program.

What are the initial plans of the project for addressing the education, outreach and communication issues outlined in the Framework document?
Depending on the level of funding, this project is intended to establish parts of the research necessary for a master and/or doctoral project. The outcome will be published in peer reviewed international scientific journals and communicated at public/popular as well as scientific meetings.

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?
The funding of the proposed activities will be sought from the Norwegian Research Council and from the University of Tromsø.

Is there additional information you wish to provide?
None

PROPOSER DETAILS

Professor Karl-Arne Stokkan
Department of Arctic Biology
Tromsø
N-9037
Norway

Tel: +47 776 44870
Mobile: +47 996 38562
Fax: +47 776 45770
Email:

Other project members and their affiliation