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Pečnerová P, Lord E, Garcia-Erill G, Hanghøj K, Rasmussen MS, Meisner J, Liu X, van der Valk T, Santander CG, Quinn L, Lin L, Liu S, Carøe C, Dalerum F, Götherström A, Måsviken J, Vartanyan S, Raundrup K, Al-Chaer A, Rasmussen L, Hvilsom C, Heide-Jørgensen MP, Sinding MHS, Aastrup P, Van Coeverden de Groot PJ, Schmidt NM, Albrechtsen A, Dalén L, Heller R, Moltke I, Siegismund HR. Population genomics of the muskox' resilience in the near absence of genetic variation. Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17205. [PMID: 37971141 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 10/07/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Genomic studies of species threatened by extinction are providing crucial information about evolutionary mechanisms and genetic consequences of population declines and bottlenecks. However, to understand how species avoid the extinction vortex, insights can be drawn by studying species that thrive despite past declines. Here, we studied the population genomics of the muskox (Ovibos moschatus), an Ice Age relict that was at the brink of extinction for thousands of years at the end of the Pleistocene yet appears to be thriving today. We analysed 108 whole genomes, including present-day individuals representing the current native range of both muskox subspecies, the white-faced and the barren-ground muskox (O. moschatus wardi and O. moschatus moschatus) and a ~21,000-year-old ancient individual from Siberia. We found that the muskox' demographic history was profoundly shaped by past climate changes and post-glacial re-colonizations. In particular, the white-faced muskox has the lowest genome-wide heterozygosity recorded in an ungulate. Yet, there is no evidence of inbreeding depression in native muskox populations. We hypothesize that this can be explained by the effect of long-term gradual population declines that allowed for purging of strongly deleterious mutations. This study provides insights into how species with a history of population bottlenecks, small population sizes and low genetic diversity survive against all odds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Pečnerová
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Edana Lord
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Genís Garcia-Erill
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Hanghøj
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Malthe Sebro Rasmussen
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jonas Meisner
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Xiaodong Liu
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Tom van der Valk
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cindy G Santander
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Liam Quinn
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Zealand University Hospital, Køge, Denmark
| | - Long Lin
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Shanlin Liu
- Department of Entomology, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christian Carøe
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Fredrik Dalerum
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- Biodiversity Research Institute (CSIC-UO-PA), Mieres, Spain
- Department of Zoology and Entomology, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Hatfield, South Africa
| | - Anders Götherström
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johannes Måsviken
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sergey Vartanyan
- North-East Interdisciplinary Scientific Research Institute N.A.N.A. Shilo, Russian Academy of Sciences, Magadan, Russia
| | | | - Amal Al-Chaer
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Linett Rasmussen
- Copenhagen Zoo, Frederiksberg, Denmark
- The GLOBE Institute, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Mads Peter Heide-Jørgensen
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Mikkel-Holger S Sinding
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Peter Aastrup
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Niels Martin Schmidt
- Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Roskilde, Denmark
- Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Anders Albrechtsen
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Love Dalén
- Centre for Palaeogenetics, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Bioinformatics and Genetics, Swedish Museum of Natural History, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rasmus Heller
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ida Moltke
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Hans Redlef Siegismund
- Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Hansen CCR, Hvilsom C, Schmidt NM, Aastrup P, Van Coeverden de Groot PJ, Siegismund HR, Heller R. The Muskox Lost a Substantial Part of Its Genetic Diversity on Its Long Road to Greenland. Curr Biol 2018; 28:4022-4028.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.10.054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2018] [Revised: 07/06/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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Nørregaard RD, Dang M, Bach L, Geertz-Hansen O, Gustavson K, Aastrup P, Leifsson PS, Søndergaard J, Nowak B, Sonne C. Comparison of heavy metals, parasites and histopathology in sculpins (Myoxocephalus spp.) from two sites at a lead-zinc mine in North East Greenland. Environ Res 2018; 165:306-316. [PMID: 29777921 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2018.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2018] [Revised: 04/13/2018] [Accepted: 04/18/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The former lead-zinc mine at Mestersvig, Greenland, continues to contaminate the surrounding environment despite its operations ceasing over 50 years ago. Elevated concentrations of heavy metals are found in water, sediment and biota in the terrestrial, freshwater and marine environments. To shed light on the present contamination and its potential effects on local fish we investigated gill and liver histology of sculpins (Myoxocephalus spp.) around the former mining area. Two species of sculpins were caught; shorthorn sculpins (M. scorpius; n = 16) and fourhorn sculpins (M. quadricornis; n = 17) at a contaminated site, Nyhavn, and shorthorn sculpins (M. scorpius; n = 25) at the reference site. In a previous study we found histopathological changes in the tissues of the sculpins, and we suspected this to be related to elevated heavy metal tissue concentrations. Concentrations of Fe, Hg, Mn, Pb, Se and Zn were significantly higher in sculpins at Nyhavn compared to the reference site. Reference NOED and LOEC thresholds for biochemistry, tissue lesions, growth, survival and reproduction for hepatic Hg, As, Cd and Pb from the ERED database were exceeded in both sculpin species. Histopathological investigations of the sculpins gills revealed significant increases in the prevalence of hyperplastic epithelium, inflammation, intensity of neutral and total mucus cells and chloride cells along with an increased infection of colonial Peritricha. At the contaminated Nyhavn site, fourhorn sculpins had a significantly higher prevalence of chondroplastic tissue and intensity of neutral, mixed and total mucus cells in the gills compared to the shorthorn sculpins. The data indicate that both sculpin species could be useful indicator species for environmental monitoring of metal pollution in Arctic areas. However, confounding effects of gender and species should be investigated further. Effects on other biomarkers as well as baseline measurements should be included in future environmental monitoring efforts around mining activities in Greenland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasmus Dyrmose Nørregaard
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Department of Environment and Mineral Resources, Nuuk, Greenland.
| | - Mai Dang
- Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania 7250, Australia
| | - Lis Bach
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Ole Geertz-Hansen
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Department of Environment and Mineral Resources, Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Kim Gustavson
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Peter Aastrup
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Pall S Leifsson
- University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health, Department of Pathobiology, Frederiksberg, Denmark
| | - Jens Søndergaard
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Barbara Nowak
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark; Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania 7250, Australia
| | - Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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Lund M, Raundrup K, Westergaard-Nielsen A, López-Blanco E, Nymand J, Aastrup P. Larval outbreaks in West Greenland: Instant and subsequent effects on tundra ecosystem productivity and CO 2 exchange. Ambio 2017; 46:26-38. [PMID: 28116687 PMCID: PMC5258657 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-016-0863-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Insect outbreaks can have important consequences for tundra ecosystems. In this study, we synthesise available information on outbreaks of larvae of the noctuid moth Eurois occulta in Greenland. Based on an extensive dataset from a monitoring programme in Kobbefjord, West Greenland, we demonstrate effects of a larval outbreak in 2011 on vegetation productivity and CO2 exchange. We estimate a decreased carbon (C) sink strength in the order of 118-143 g C m-2, corresponding to 1210-1470 tonnes C at the Kobbefjord catchment scale. The decreased C sink was, however, counteracted the following years by increased primary production, probably facilitated by the larval outbreak increasing nutrient turnover rates. Furthermore, we demonstrate for the first time in tundra ecosystems, the potential for using remote sensing to detect and map insect outbreak events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magnus Lund
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Katrine Raundrup
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, P.O. Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Andreas Westergaard-Nielsen
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), University of Copenhagen, Oestervoldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Efrén López-Blanco
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Josephine Nymand
- Greenland Institute of Natural Resources, Kivioq 2, P.O. Box 570, 3900 Nuuk, Greenland
| | - Peter Aastrup
- Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
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Dang M, Nørregaard R, Bach L, Sonne C, Søndergaard J, Gustavson K, Aastrup P, Nowak B. Metal residues, histopathology and presence of parasites in the liver and gills of fourhorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) and shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) near a former lead-zinc mine in East Greenland. Environ Res 2017; 153:171-180. [PMID: 27984761 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2016.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/10/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Fourhorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus quadricornis) and shorthorn sculpins (Myoxocephalus scorpius) have been considered suitable local bioindicators for environmental monitoring studies in the Arctic. Because these species share many characteristics, data from the two species have previously been pooled when assessing marine metal contamination. A chemical and histological study was conducted on fourhorn and shorthorn sculpins collected around a contaminated lead-zinc mine at East Greenland to investigate whether there were any differences in the residues of metals, histopathology and parasites in liver and gills between the two sculpin species. The results demonstrated that concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb) were significantly higher in the fourhorn sculpins (p<0.001) while there were no significant differences for arsenic (As) or cadmium (Cd). Furthermore, density of blood vessel fibrosis (p=0.028), prevalence and density of chondroplasia (p=0.002 and p=0.005, respectively), number of mucin-containing mucous cells (p<0.001) and chloride cells (p<0.001) and mean intensity of colonial Peritricha (p<0.001) were significantly higher in fourhorn sculpin. Based on these results we suggest that pooling the two species when conducting environmental assessments is not recommended as it can lead to incorrect conclusions. We propose that a larger study investigating the biological effects of zinc-lead mining in Greenland is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Dang
- Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania 7250, Australia
| | - Rasmus Nørregaard
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Lis Bach
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Christian Sonne
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jens Søndergaard
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Kim Gustavson
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Peter Aastrup
- Aarhus University, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Bioscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Barbara Nowak
- Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies University of Tasmania, Launceston, Tasmania 7250, Australia.
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Pellissier L, Meltofte H, Hansen J, Schmidt NM, Tamstorf MP, Maiorano L, Aastrup P, Olsen J, Guisan A, Wisz MS. Suitability, success and sinks: how do predictions of nesting distributions relate to fitness parameters in high arctic waders? DIVERS DISTRIB 2013. [DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Loïc Pellissier
- Department of Bioscience; The Arctic Research Centre; Aarhus University; Roskilde DK-4000 Denmark
| | - Hans Meltofte
- Department of Bioscience; The Arctic Research Centre; Aarhus University; Roskilde DK-4000 Denmark
| | - Jannik Hansen
- Department of Bioscience; The Arctic Research Centre; Aarhus University; Roskilde DK-4000 Denmark
| | - Niels M. Schmidt
- Department of Bioscience; The Arctic Research Centre; Aarhus University; Roskilde DK-4000 Denmark
- Greenland Climate Research Centre; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources; Nuuk DK-3900 Greenland
| | - Mikkel P. Tamstorf
- Department of Bioscience; The Arctic Research Centre; Aarhus University; Roskilde DK-4000 Denmark
| | - Luigi Maiorano
- Department of Ecology and Evolution; University of Lausanne; Bâtiment Biophore Lausanne CH-1015 Switzerland
| | - Peter Aastrup
- Department of Bioscience; The Arctic Research Centre; Aarhus University; Roskilde DK-4000 Denmark
| | - Jeppe Olsen
- Department of Bioscience; The Arctic Research Centre; Aarhus University; Roskilde DK-4000 Denmark
| | - Antoine Guisan
- Department of Ecology and Evolution; University of Lausanne; Bâtiment Biophore Lausanne CH-1015 Switzerland
| | - Mary S. Wisz
- Department of Bioscience; The Arctic Research Centre; Aarhus University; Roskilde DK-4000 Denmark
- Greenland Climate Research Centre; Greenland Institute of Natural Resources; Nuuk DK-3900 Greenland
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Wisz MS, Pottier J, Kissling WD, Pellissier L, Lenoir J, Damgaard CF, Dormann CF, Forchhammer MC, Grytnes JA, Guisan A, Heikkinen RK, Høye TT, Kühn I, Luoto M, Maiorano L, Nilsson MC, Normand S, Öckinger E, Schmidt NM, Termansen M, Timmermann A, Wardle DA, Aastrup P, Svenning JC. The role of biotic interactions in shaping distributions and realised assemblages of species: implications for species distribution modelling. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2013; 88:15-30. [PMID: 22686347 PMCID: PMC3561684 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-185x.2012.00235.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 604] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2011] [Revised: 05/11/2012] [Accepted: 05/11/2012] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Predicting which species will occur together in the future, and where, remains one of the greatest challenges in ecology, and requires a sound understanding of how the abiotic and biotic environments interact with dispersal processes and history across scales. Biotic interactions and their dynamics influence species' relationships to climate, and this also has important implications for predicting future distributions of species. It is already well accepted that biotic interactions shape species' spatial distributions at local spatial extents, but the role of these interactions beyond local extents (e.g. 10 km(2) to global extents) are usually dismissed as unimportant. In this review we consolidate evidence for how biotic interactions shape species distributions beyond local extents and review methods for integrating biotic interactions into species distribution modelling tools. Drawing upon evidence from contemporary and palaeoecological studies of individual species ranges, functional groups, and species richness patterns, we show that biotic interactions have clearly left their mark on species distributions and realised assemblages of species across all spatial extents. We demonstrate this with examples from within and across trophic groups. A range of species distribution modelling tools is available to quantify species environmental relationships and predict species occurrence, such as: (i) integrating pairwise dependencies, (ii) using integrative predictors, and (iii) hybridising species distribution models (SDMs) with dynamic models. These methods have typically only been applied to interacting pairs of species at a single time, require a priori ecological knowledge about which species interact, and due to data paucity must assume that biotic interactions are constant in space and time. To better inform the future development of these models across spatial scales, we call for accelerated collection of spatially and temporally explicit species data. Ideally, these data should be sampled to reflect variation in the underlying environment across large spatial extents, and at fine spatial resolution. Simplified ecosystems where there are relatively few interacting species and sometimes a wealth of existing ecosystem monitoring data (e.g. arctic, alpine or island habitats) offer settings where the development of modelling tools that account for biotic interactions may be less difficult than elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Susanne Wisz
- Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark.
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Post E, Forchhammer MC, Bret-Harte MS, Callaghan TV, Christensen TR, Elberling B, Fox AD, Gilg O, Hik DS, Høye TT, Ims RA, Jeppesen E, Klein DR, Madsen J, McGuire AD, Rysgaard S, Schindler DE, Stirling I, Tamstorf MP, Tyler NJC, van der Wal R, Welker J, Wookey PA, Schmidt NM, Aastrup P. Ecological dynamics across the Arctic associated with recent climate change. Science 2009; 325:1355-8. [PMID: 19745143 DOI: 10.1126/science.1173113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 480] [Impact Index Per Article: 32.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
At the close of the Fourth International Polar Year, we take stock of the ecological consequences of recent climate change in the Arctic, focusing on effects at population, community, and ecosystem scales. Despite the buffering effect of landscape heterogeneity, Arctic ecosystems and the trophic relationships that structure them have been severely perturbed. These rapid changes may be a bellwether of changes to come at lower latitudes and have the potential to affect ecosystem services related to natural resources, food production, climate regulation, and cultural integrity. We highlight areas of ecological research that deserve priority as the Arctic continues to warm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Post
- Department of Biology, Penn State University, 208 Mueller Lab, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
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Abstract
Studies of the Jameson Land muskox population in Northeast Greenland were conducted 1982-1990 in conjunction with an oil exploration. A population monitoring program consisted of one yearly aerial survey in late winter and a ground survey for population composition in August. The estimated unadjusted minimum average population size was approximately 4000 with a maximum size of 4700 and a minimum of 2800 muskoxen. The monitoring program was adequate to detect an annual change of about 10%. Population composition data proved to be essential. The only indication of a negative impact from oil exploration was detected in the fraction of yearlings. The average calf proportion was roughly 18% and about half of the calves died during their first year. The population density and composition was similar to the Banks Island muskox population in Canada and to the West Greenland population although the latter population had a higher productivity. Seismic operations and/or climatic conditions may have had a negative impact on the calf survival during 1986-1989, when fractions of yearlings were significantly lower than before and after the exploration.
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Cleemann M, Riget F, Paulsen GB, de Boer J, Klungsøyr J, Aastrup P. Organochlorines in Greenland lake sediments and landlocked Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus). Sci Total Environ 2000; 245:173-85. [PMID: 10682365 DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(99)00442-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Lake sediments and landlocked Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) were sampled in 1994 and 1995 at four different locations in Greenland, three at the west coast and one at the east coast. Sediments, char muscle and char liver were analysed for PCBs (10 congeners), DDTs (pp'), HCHs (alpha, beta, gamma), dieldrin, HCB and chlordanes (5) and char in addition to toxaphene (total and 4 congeners). All organochlorines in the sediment samples were below the detection limit of 0.1 microgram kg-1 dry wt., while the overall geometric means in Arctic char muscle were, in microgram kg-1 wet wt., for PCBs 11 (range 1-140), for DDTs 4.0 (1-35), for HCHs 0.4 (0.06-1.5), for dieldrin 0.7 (< 0.1-4.2), for HCB 0.7 (0.09-3.8), for chlordanes 4.8 (1-57) and for total toxaphene 13 (1-180). The sums of PCBs, DDTs, chlordanes and total toxaphene disclosed higher concentrations in muscle of char from the east coast compared to char from the west coast. Dieldrin and HCB showed the same tendency, but less pronounced, while the sum of HCHs were found in highest concentrations at the west coast. PCB, DDT, chlordane and toxaphene concentrations showed a decreasing trend following the East Greenland Current. Principal component analysis on PCB congeners showed that the proportion of higher chlorinated PCBs (Cl > 5) were higher in Qaqortoq in south Greenland compared to the three other sampling areas in Greenland. However, no correlation was seen either between degree of chlorination and latitude or between degree of chlorination and PCB concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Cleemann
- National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Environmental Chemistry, Denmark.
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Riget F, Asmund G, Aastrup P. The use of lichen (Cetraria nivalis) and moss (Rhacomitrium lanuginosum) as monitors for atmospheric deposition in Greenland. Sci Total Environ 2000; 245:137-48. [PMID: 10682362 DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(99)00439-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Concentrations of Pb, Cd, Hg, Zn, Cu, Cr, Ni, As, V, Al and Fe are reported from soil, humus, moss (Rhacomitrium lanuginosum) and lichen (Cetraria nivalis) sampled at four locations in Greenland. For Al, Fe, Cr and V the levels in soil were highest followed by humus and R. lanuginosum and with the lowest levels in C. nivalis. The same was true for Pb, Cu and Ni but without as great a difference between medias. For Cd and Hg, the lowest levels were found in soil. For Zn and As, the media with highest levels differed between locality. Data were examined by a principal component analysis. Three principal components explained 87% of the total variation. The dominant elements in the first component were Fe, Al, V, Ni, Cr, Cu and Pb. This component is interpreted as a soil dust factor. The concentrations in R. lanuginosum and C. nivalis of these elements are believed to be highly influenced by soil dust. Pb concentrations in moss and lichen may also be influenced by other sources as Pb also had some correlation's with the third component. Zn and Cd and to a lesser extent. As were the dominant elements in the second component. The third component was highly dominated by Hg with a lesser influence of Pb and As, Zn, Cd and Hg concentrations in R. lanuginosum and C. nivalis are believed to be influenced by other sources than soil dust which may be long-range atmospheric transport. In general, both the within locality and the between locality variability in the values of the three components decreased in the order soil, humus, R. lanuginosum and C. nivalis. The lichen C. nivalis is looked at as an indicator with greater potential for monitoring atmospheric deposition of elements than the moss R. lanuginosum.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Riget
- National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Aastrup P, Riget F, Dietz R, Asmund G. Lead, zinc, cadmium, mercury, selenium and copper in Greenland caribou and reindeer (Rangifer tarandus). Sci Total Environ 2000; 245:149-59. [PMID: 10682363 DOI: 10.1016/s0048-9697(99)00440-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Samples of caribou and reindeer muscle (127 samples) and liver (126 samples) were collected from four locations during two seasons plus 3 years in Greenland. The levels of lead, zinc, cadmium, mercury, selenium, and copper were determined, and analyzed in relation to location, two seasons, age and year of sampling. The lead concentrations (geometric mean) ranged from below the detection limit to 0.007 microgram/g wet weight (wet wt.) in muscle and from 0.027 to 0.926 microgram/g wet wt. in liver. Zinc geometric mean concentrations ranged from 17.5 to 39.6 micrograms/g wet wt. in muscle and from 23.2 to 31.7 micrograms/g wet wt. in liver. For cadmium, the geometric mean concentrations were at, or below the detection limit in muscle, while concentrations in liver ranged from 0.121 to 0.695 microgram/g wet wt. Mercury levels ranged from 0.003 to 0.043 microgram/g wet wt. in muscle and from 0.040 to 0.618 microgram/g wet wt. in liver. Selenium concentration levels in muscle ranged from 0.030 to 0.252 microgram/g wet wt., and from 0.085 to 0.984 microgram/g wet wt. in liver. Copper levels in muscle ranged from 2.09 to 3.60 micrograms/g wet wt., and from 21.8 to 71.0 micrograms/g wet wt. in liver. Mercury concentrations were higher than those found at lower latitudes in Norway and Canada, especially in Isortoq in southern Greenland. Selenium levels were also high compared to other Arctic regions. Concentrations of lead, zinc, cadmium and copper are similar to those reported in caribou from Canada and Norway. Concentrations of elements generally decreased in the following order: Isortoq > Akia > Itinnera > Kangerlussuaq, and there was only found minor variation in the annual levels during 3 years in Itinnera. Late winter levels were generally significantly higher than early winter levels especially in the lichen-rich localities, and it is suggested that the availability of lichens as winter forage is the key determining the level of elements. Accordingly, when using caribou and reindeer as monitoring organism, knowledge of winter forage is very important for interpretation of results.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Aastrup
- Department of Arctic Environment, National Environmental Research Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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Abstract
Mercury concentrations were determined in muscle tissue of lake resident and anadromous populations of Arctic char in Greenland. Mercury in lake sediment, and in soil and humus from the surrounding area were also determined in the main localities. Fish length and dry weight were shown to be important covariables, which have to be taken into account when comparing mercury levels between populations. Variations in fat content did not contribute further to the differing mercury concentrations. Mercury concentrations in lake sediments, humus from around the lakes and resident populations of Arctic char from west Greenland and south-west Greenland were higher than for populations from east Greenland and north-west Greenland. The mercury level in anadromous populations was found to be 10-15-fold lower than that found in lake resident populations, and similar to that found in marine fish species. Methyl mercury was determined in two of the populations investigated, and constituted 72-92% of the total mercury.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Riget
- National Environmental Research Institute, Department of Arctic Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark
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Abstract
Growth of muskoxen in Jameson Land, East Greenland (EG) and in Angujaartorfiup Nunaa, West Greenland (WG) is affected by the different nutritional conditions in the two areas. The abundance and availability of forage plants is highest in WG. Muskoxen in WG reach sexual maturity one year earlier than muskoxen in EG. A significant proportion of female muskoxen in WG conceive at the age of 16 months and give birth to their first calf as two years olds. The horn bases of the muskox bulls in WG are fully developed during their third year of life, but their maximum body weight (BW) is attained at the age of six. Average BW of adult bulls (4 yr+) in WG is 306 kg which is 23 % greater than in adult bulls in EG. BW is seasonally more variable in EG than in WG owing to greater seasonal fluctuation in food supply.
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Aastrup P, Mosbech A. Transect width and missed observations in counting muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) from fixed-wing aircraft. Ran 1993. [DOI: 10.7557/2.13.2.1096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
While conductioning muskox-censuses (Ovibos moschatus) in winter in Jameson Land, NE Greenland, from a fixed-wing aircraft, we examined the width of transects covered. We used a laser range-finder binocular for measuring the distance to observed groups. We found that 1000 m was a reasonable limit for observing a high proportion of the muskoxen present even though it was possible to observe muskoxen from 4000 m or even more. Using two observers on the right side of the aircraft each speaking into a tape recorder with an automatic time signal, we recorded observations and performed a double-observer experiment. By matching the group sizes and perpendicular distances with times of observation we could compare observations of the two observers. We found that both observers missed up to 25% of muskoxen within a 2000 m transect width. The main reasons for missing animals is difficulty in obtaining reference points in snow covered landscape and fatigue of the observers. Calibration of estimated distances using read-outs from the laser-range finder is an adequate method of obtaining distance data for line transect calculations. Our double-observer experiment demonstrated that even groups close to the transect are easily missed.
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Abstract
The indigenous population of muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) in North and Northeast Greenland is estimated at 9 500-12 500 which is about the half of the previous estimate. This difference is mainly explained by a much better basis for estimating and to a lesser extent by a general population decrease in Northeast Greenland. The introduced population in the Kangerlussuaq (Søndre Strømfjord) area is still increasing, and is now (1990) estimated at c. 2 600. Quota based harvesting has been allowed since 1988. New populations have been introduced to the Ivittuut-area in Southwest Greenland in 1987 and to three locations in the Avanersuaq (Thule) area in Northwest Greenland in 1986. The present status of the latter populations are more or less unknown, while the Ivittuut population is thriving and has a very high rate of increase.
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Thing H, Olesen CR, Aastrup P. Antler possession by west Greenland female caribou in relation to population characteristics. Ran 1986. [DOI: 10.7557/2.6.2.662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The frequency of antlerless adult female caribou (Rangifer tarandus groenlandicus) was studied in four separate populations in west Greenland. Between the herds antlerlessness varied from 21% to 79%. An inverse relationship between winter range quality and percentage of unantlered cows is demonstrated. Relationship between calf percentage and maternal antler status was studied in one population and antlerless cows showed higher reproductive rate than antlered ones. In another population antlerless cows were almost absent outside the calving area. Calves of antlerless mothers were more susceptible to diseases and had significantly higher summer mortality than other calves, 42% and 27% respectively. The relative importance of factors influencing antler development under various environmental conditons are assessed and a close relationship between antlerlessness, physical condition, lactation, and length of period between calving and midsummer is discussed.
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