Insect Responses to Climate Change in Antarctica and Ecosystem Consequences

昆虫对南极洲气候变化的反应和生态系统后果

• 批准号: 2741978
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: University of Birmingham
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Studentship
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2022 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=studentship-2741978
• 关键词: Insect; Responses; Climate; Change; Antarctica

Model reconstructions of the last glacial maximum (LGM ~20 000 years ago) in the Antarctic region suggest that all low-lying coastal areas were completely covered by ice - thus wiping out all terrestrial life. If true, this would mean the current biogeography of Antarctic insects is the result of different species colonising quite discrete locations since the LGM. This seems highly unlikely, not least because two of these species, Belgica antarctica (endemic to the Antarctic Peninsula region) and Eretmoptera murphyi (endemic to sub-Antarctic South Georgia) are flightless. Recent/post LGM colonisation is further debunked by RNA sequencing data, indicating 49 Myr separation between these two species [Allegrucci et al. 2012]. Thus, habitat refugia must have existed continuously since Antarctica split from the other Southern Hemisphere continents at least 28 MYA, and we hypothesize that endemic species possess unique adaptations to their respective environments.Investigating the ecophysiology of these species, and the molecular processes underpinning their stress responses, offers incredibly powerful comparative models for probing their evolutionary biology and abilities to cope with climate change [Hayward, 2014; Kelly et al. 2014]. Using microclimate modelling we can also assess each species' capacity to extend their distribution into other parts of the Antarctic region [Pertierra et al. 2019]. Indeed, E. murphyi is already invasive within parts of the maritime Antarctic [Bartlett et al., 2019] and we have recently identified that this species is having a significant impact on soil nitrogen levels. In turn, this has potentially significant implications for the low-nutrient adapted plant and lichen communities, as well as the establishment potential of higher 'alien' plants. This project will add a new dimension to an existing NSF-NERC grant (2020-2024) between UoB, BAS and USAP, as well as project partners in Chile and France. The project will investigate:1. Adaptations that have allowed Antarctic insects to persist in this extreme environment for millions of years.2. The implications of climate change on their future survival and distribution3. Broader ecosystem consequences of invasive insect species within the Antarctic region, specifically on soil biogeochemistry.Proposed timeline:Year 1: Undertake preliminary ecophysiology and molecular biology training and initial assessments with pre-collected samples. Possible research visit to project partner lab in USA, Chile or France (travel restrictions permitting).Initiate engagement with policy and industry project stakeholders, e.g., Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators (IAATO). First UK Conference end of Yr 1Preparation of manuscripts for publication.Year 2: Anticipated Antarctic field season - collection of fresh samples for return to UK, as well as field-based ecology, physiology and biogeochemistry experiments. Funding is subject to current BAS/NERC procedure of application for 'Collaborative Gearing Scheme' to cover Antarctic travel and field clothing costs). Ongoing analysis of data and preparation/submission of manuscripts.Organise public understanding of science event based around project.Year 3: Continued comparative studies with Antarctic and sub-Antarctic species and soil samples in collaboration with project partners. International conference and ongoing submission of manuscripts, as well as impact activities/stakeholder engagement.

在南极地区，最后一次冰川最大值（LGM约20 000年前）的模型重建表明，所有低洼的沿海地区都被冰完全覆盖 - 从而消除了所有陆地寿命。如果是真的，这将意味着当前的南极昆虫生物地理是自LGM以来不同物种的不同物种的结果。这似乎是极不可能的，尤其是因为其中两个物种是南极洲的Belgica南极地区（南极半岛地区特有）和Eretmoptera Murphyi（乔治亚州南极亚地区的特有）是无飞行的。 RNA测序数据进一步揭示了最近/后LGM定植，表明这两个物种之间的49 MYR分离[Allegrucci等。 2012]。因此，自从南极从南半球的其他两个大洲分裂以来，栖息地避难必须一直存在，至少有28个Mya，我们假设流行物种对各自的环境具有独特的适应性，并研究了这些物种的生态生理学。对这些物种的生物生理学进行了评估，并为他们的分子响应提供了不可思议的探索，以探测其压力的模型，并探究了他们的激励性，并探究了其范围的范围，并探讨了探索的动力。 [海沃德，2014年；凯利等。 2014]。使用微气候建模，我们还可以评估每个物种将其分布扩展到南极地区其他部位的能力[Pertierra等。 2019]。确实，墨菲E.墨菲在海洋南极的某些部分已经具有侵入性[Bartlett等，2019]，我们最近确定该物种对土壤氮水平有重大影响。反过来，这对低营养的植物和地衣社区以及更高的“外星”植物的建立潜力具有潜在的重要意义。该项目将为UOB，BAS和USAP以及智利和法国的项目合作伙伴之间的现有NSF-NERC赠款（2020-2024）增加新的维度。该项目将调查：1。允许南极昆虫在这种极端环境中持续数百万年的适应。2。气候变化对其未来生存和分布的影响3。南极区域内侵入性昆虫物种的更广泛的生态系统后果，特别是在土壤生物地球化学上。培养时间表：1年：进行初步的生态生理学和分子生物学培训以及对预采用样品的初步评估。可能的研究访问了美国，智利或法国项目合作伙伴实验室（允许旅行限制）。与政策和行业项目利益相关者进行参与，例如南极研究科学委员会，国际南极旅游经营者协会（IAATO）。第1届英国会议终结了出版物的手稿。资金受到当前的BAS/NERC程序的“协作齿轮计划”的应用程序，以支付南极旅行和现场服装费用）。对数据的持续分析和制备/提交的编制/提交基于项目的科学事件的公众理解。年3：与项目合作伙伴合作，与南极和亚北极物种和土壤样本的持续比较研究。国际会议和持续提交手稿，以及影响活动/利益相关者的参与。