Taimyr Reindeer Migration Reanalysis (TAMARA)

驯鹿或驯鹿(Rangifer tarandus L.)栖息在欧亚大陆和北美洲的北极地带。野生驯鹿是北极生态系统和土著生计的重要组成部分，近50年来一直受到科学家的监测。在这段时间里，牛群的大小发生了很大的变化，这些变化在S范围内的几乎所有牛群中都有记录。20-30年前野生驯鹿数量的增加几乎普遍伴随着在过去十年中数量的显著减少。此外，最近的监测显示，野生种群的分布发生了重大变化。野生驯鹿数量的减少可能与自然周期以及气候变化和人类活动增加导致的北极环境变化有关。为了解释观察到的驯鹿数量和分布的变化，有必要收集长期和季节性的观测数据。泰米尔驯鹿群(TRH)是欧亚大陆最大、最长的野生驯鹿群。俄罗斯诺里尔斯克的极北农业研究所自1969年以来一直在观测TRH。只有关于TRH的有限数量的信息被发布、数字化、处理、分析或出版。许多信息都是以单份纸的形式保存在威胁其寿命的地点和条件下。拟议的项目旨在将泰米尔野生驯鹿种群所有现有的过去记录数字化，并在几十年的观测中开发有关气候和栖息地的数据集。泰米尔驯鹿迁徙再分析(TAMARA)项目将以驯鹿专家、北极研究人员和地理空间科学家组成的协作和综合跨学科国际网络为基础。该项目旨在建立一个全面的、开放可用的信息系统，以便深入了解人类、气候、环境和驯鹿之间的历史关系。在国际和当地经验的基础上，调查人员将实施一项重大的数据数字化和传播工作，这将对北极陆生哺乳动物的极地网络基础设施作出重大贡献。该项目有以下目标：1)检索、数字化、存档、传输、处理和发布1969年至2009年间收集的历史观测数据，记录相关方法，并开发适当的元数据；2)开发通过(重新)分析TRH历史空间迁移模式而产生的增值数据产品；3)通过创建一个全面和开放的数据可视化和数据传播系统，促进极地空间网络基础设施的发展。塔玛拉项目将是全球驯鹿观测方案网络的组成部分。该项目将有美国和俄罗斯的科学家和学生参与，资助一名研究生和两名非全日制本科生。结果将广泛传播给当地居民和利益攸关方。该项目将有助于一名年轻调查员的早期职业发展。

Reindeer or Caribou (Rangifer tarandus L.) inhabit Arctic lands in Eurasia and North America. An important part of Arctic ecosystems and Aboriginal livelihood, wild reindeer have been monitored by scientists for almost 50 years. During this time, herds have exhibited large changes in size and these changes have been recorded in almost all herds across the animal?s range. The increase in the number of wild reindeer 20-30 years ago was almost universally followed by a significant population loss in the last decade. In addition, recent monitoring revealed substantial shifts in the distribution of wild populations. The decline in wild reindeer is likely related to natural cycles and changes in the Arctic environment caused by climate change and increased anthropogenic activity. In order to explain the observed changes in the abundance and distribution of reindeer, it is necessary to collect long-term and seasonal observations. The Taimyr Reindeer Herd (TRH) is both the largest and the longest monitored wild reindeer herd in Eurasia. The Extreme North Agricultural Research Institute in Noril?sk, Russia, has observed the TRH since 1969. Only a limited amount of the information on the TRH has been released, digitized, processed, analyzed or published. Much of the information is held in single-copy paper in locations and under conditions that threaten its longevity. The proposed project aims to digitize all available past records concerning the Taimyr wild reindeer populations and develop related datasets on climate and habitat over the decades of observation. The Taimyr Reindeer Migration Reanalysis (TAMARA) project will be based upon a collaborative and integrated interdisciplinary international network of reindeer experts, arctic researchers, and geospatial scientists. The project is designed to build a comprehensive and openly available information system that will provide insight into the historical relationship between humans, climate, environment, and reindeer. Building on both international and local experiences the investigators will implement a major data digitization and dissemination effort that will be a considerable contribution to the polar cyberinfrastructure pertaining to Arctic terrestrial mammals. The project has the following objectives: 1) Retrieve, digitize, archive, transfer, process and publish historical observational data collected between 1969 and 2009, document relevant methodologies, and develop appropriate metadata; 2) Develop value-added data products resulting from the (re)analysis of historical spatial migration patterns of the TRH; and 3) Contribute to developing polar spatial cyberinfrastructure by creating a comprehensive and open data visualization and data dissemination system. The TAMARA project will be an integral part of the worldwide network of reindeer observation programs. The project will involve US and Russian scientists and students, supporting one graduate student and two part-time undergraduates. Results will be widely disseminated to local residents and stakeholders. The project will contribute to the early career development of a young investigator.