Evolution and Biodiversity in the Antarctic:

The response of life to change

LSSSG primary proposal

Describe the past, understand the present

and predict the future…

EBA

The Science

Using a suite of modern techniques and an interdisciplinary approach EBA will:

– Explore the evolutionary history of modern Antarctic biota

– Examine the role of Antarctic biodiversity in present-day ecosystem function

– Predict the responses to future

environmental change

EBA will..

Integrate research in marine, terrestrial and

freshwater ecosystems in a manner never

before attempted

Advance evolutionary and ecological science

globally using model systems and organisms

from the Antarctic

The science structure

• Matrix system

• Five broad objectives

• Three realms (marine, terrestrial, freshwater)

• Spatial and temporal variation

• Use of state-of-the art integrative science

methodologies, particularly new molecular

technology

The five objectives

1. Evolutionary history of

the Antarctic biota

Interaction with geoscientists to establish a

clearer picture of the physical history of the

Antarctic

Use of modern molecular techniques to advance

our understanding of how evolutionary processes

are related to the physical setting

2. Evolutionary Adaptation to the Antarctic

Environment

Studies of how organisms living at the extremes survive are central to developing our understanding of how life adapts to its environment

2. Evolutionary Adaptation to the Antarctic

Environment

There will be:

Exploration of limits of organismal performance

Examination of adaptations that allow organisms to survive in the Antarctic today and their response(s) to environmental changes

3. Patterns of gene flow and consequences for population dynamics

Isolation is a driving force of evolution in the Antarctic (and elsewhere)

– Deep oceans– Circulation patterns (oceanic and atmospheric)– Ice

Seek to understand the extent of isolation of Antarctic populations

Examine:– Population structure and dynamics– Dispersal to and around the Antarctic– Genetic make-up and gene flow

3. Patterns of gene flow and consequences for population dynamics

4. Patterns and diversity of organisms and ecosystems in the

Antarctic

Examination of biodiversity:

– Spatial and temporal variation

– Latitudinal and environmental gradients

– Unexplored areas

– Relationships with global patterns

5. Impact of past, current and future environmental change on biodiversity and ecosystem function

Examination of how environmental changes are driving evolution

Prediction of future outcomes

Why Now ?

Largest challenge facing humankind is the management of the Earth System to ensure a sustainable human future

A thorough and profound knowledge of the way in which life has evolved and the likely way in which it will change is required urgently

Why Now ?

• The Antarctic and the Southern Ocean are

fundamental to the Earth System

– Influencing the pace and nature of change

– Responding to change in integrated system of

biological modulated teleconnections

The SCAR community offers the

opportunity for a regional approach to

harness a wide variety of international

resources both physical and intellectual

Why Now ?

The need to understand the impact of climate

change on biota is the most pressing issue of our

time

EBA provides the opportunity for ALL Antarctic

biologists to focus their activities into an area of

utmost importance in a program that offers an

un-precedented level of synergy in Antarctic

research

Why now ?

If we delay ?

• Many National programs will not delay research into these fundamental and high priority areas

• Lack of funding will reduce the opportunities for capacity building among nations

• If collective research is delayed, the development of a profound understanding of the impact of environmental change across an entire biome will be delayed by decades

Timing - opportune

Well developed tools for comprehending interactions between the physical environment and biota are sufficiently advanced to allow integration from molecular to ecosystem scales

Timing - IPY

Census of Marine life • Last opportunity to participate in a very

successful global initiative (completed in 2010)• High Profile IPY activity • Many nations and ships exploring unknown

parts of the South Ocean • Potential for Sloane Foundation funding

($1.25M US with 15% to SCAR)

Operational and Technical feasibility

State-of-the art enabling technology, particularly genomic tools are well established

Will promote development of some new technologies – remote operated vehicles for deep seas, under-ice and air craft, remote sensors and real time monitoring (sensor web)

Degree of international involvement

• High• Many nations have compatible national

programs/ strategic plans• Circum-Antarctic Census of Marine Life

– Commitment of 6 ships so far– Possibility of more

• Many opportunities for capacity building

Data archival and access

• Two Antarctic databases/ portals already developed which can be expanded to accommodated the program– RISCC terrestrial/ freshwater biodiversity database

AADC– MARBIN marine biodiversity portal (Belgium)– Both linked to GIBIF, OBIS and GENBANK

Public/policy profile

• IPY – high opportunity for expanding public consciousness

• Annual multidisciplinary workshops will increase the opportunity for scientific exchange and therefore highlight the role of SCAR

• Scientific papers contributing to the fundamental processes of evolution will increase SCAR’s profile

Value added by SCAR involvement

• Absolute necessity – as SCAR provides the platform for the whole of the

Antarctic approach

• No other BIOME on the planet can be explored so effectively

Education and outreach (E&O)

• Outreach via National Programmes and SCAR Outreach committee

SCAR Strategic Plan

• Leading edge, high profile science of global importance

• Topic is the most pressing issue of our time• Can not be achieved without the SCAR

framework in terms of co-ordination and facilitation

• Opportunity for capacity development and cross-discipline interactions

Prepared by D. M. Bergstrom. Images © AAD and D Bergstrom, W Papps, G Hoise, J Kitchner, M Riddle, K. Kiefer, B. Wienecke

Thank you