Using modern genomics to minimize long-term impacts of resource development on Arctic seabirds

作为数量占主导地位的顶端捕食者，海鸟是加拿大北极海洋生态系统的关键组成部分。海鸟和它们的蛋对北极土著人民的文化和饮食也很重要。然而，北极海鸟种群正面临着来自气候变化、航运和工业发展的多重同时直接和间接威胁。不足为奇的是，许多种群都显示出压力的迹象，比如繁殖成功率降低或数量下降。为了避免灭绝，野生动物种群必须通过(1)行为或生理变化，(2)扩散，或(3)遗传变化来适应。海鸟通过这三种途径适应的能力几乎是未知的，但这对维持健康的种群至关重要。新的基因组方法，特别是与正在进行的行为和生理学研究相结合，为确定北极海鸟对气候变化和工业发展的长期敏感性提供了强大的机会。我们将使用基因组、行为和生态数据来估计加拿大有全球责任保护的七种海鸟的扩散水平、表型可塑性和遗传变异。然后，我们将向加拿大环境和气候变化组织(ECCC)提供有效制定政策所需的三种主要产品：(1)种群遗传结构和扩散的估计，用于划定管理单元，并估计非繁殖季节大规模死亡对种群的特定影响；(2)种群和物种对气候变化和工业发展的长期敏感性的评估；以及(3)适应性变异的空间分布图，用于评估关键种群和对工业发展缺乏弹性的地区。这些产品对于ECCC制定以科学为基础的政策，以平衡、对社会负责、积极主动的方式进行北极开发和管理具有战略意义。目前的工作还将为18名高素质人员提供基因组学、生物信息学和人口建模方面备受欢迎的技能方面的培训。

As numerically dominant apex predators, seabirds are key components of Canada's Arctic marine ecosystem. Seabirds and their eggs also are important to the culture and diet of indigenous Arctic peoples. However, Arctic seabird populations are facing multiple simultaneous direct and indirect threats from climate change, shipping and industrial development. Unsurprisingly, many populations are showing signs of stress such as reduced reproductive success or declining numbers. To avoid extinction, wildlife populations must adapt through (1) changes in behaviour or physiology, (2) dispersal, or (3) genetic changes. The capacity for seabirds to adapt through these three avenues is virtually unknown, but it is critical to maintenance of healthy populations. New genomic methods, especially when combined with on-going studies of behaviour and physiology, provide powerful opportunities to determine the long-term sensitivities of Arctic seabirds to climate change and industrial development. We will use genomic, behavioural and ecological data to estimate levels of dispersal, phenotypic plasticity and genetic variation for seven seabird species that Canada has a global responsibility to protect. We will then provide Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) with three main products needed for effective policy development: (1) estimates of population genetic structure and dispersal, for delineating management units and for estimating colony-specific impacts of large-scale mortality during the nonbreeding season; (2) assessments of the long-term sensitivities of populations and species to climate change and industrial development; and (3) maps of the spatial distribution of adaptive variation, for assessing key populations and areas lacking resilience to industrial developments. These products are strategic for ECCC to develop science-based policies for a balanced, socially responsible, pro-active approach to Arctic development and stewardship. The present work also will provide training in highly sought-after skills in genomics, bioinformatics and population modeling for 18 highly qualified personnel.