Implementing genomics-based monitoring of caribou in the Far North region of Ontario in response to proposed mining activities

针对拟议的采矿活动，对安大略省远北地区的驯鹿实施基于基因组学的监测

• 批准号: 576252-2022
• 负责人: Wilson, PaulPJ
• 金额: $ 2.62万
• 依托单位: Trent University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=745540
• 关键词: Implementing; genomics; based; monitoring; caribou

The focus of this NSERC Alliance project is on caribou (Rangifer tarandus) with an emphasis on the Far North and conservation issues associated with the proposed mining activities in the Ring of Fire, with broader implications for implementing monitoring of caribou nationally. Woodland caribou ecotypes, specifically the boreal population (listed as Threatened under the Species-at-Risk Act (SARA)), and eastern migratory caribou (currently under consideration for listing under SARA as Endangered) seasonally co-occur in areas of the Far North, including the Ring of Fire area. To effectively monitor caribou and mitigate the impacts of anthropogenic development, it is critical to establish baseline data on the two ecotypes through a partnership between Trent University, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and Omnia Ecological Services, with ECCC facilitating the engagement of Indigenous communities in the region. The project brings the research capacity needed to support the use of new sequencing technology and advanced computing to generate standardized reliable data over time. Genomic data, obtained non-invasively by collecting fecal samples, is used to assign individual caribou to their respective Designatable Unit (DU) or caribou representing admixture from multiple DU sources as it pertains to population surveys; generate a range of population demographic parameters and to assess single moment population genetic structure connectivity through familial networks; and inbreeding. The results of this study will be used to provide baseline information on the occurrence and status of caribou in the Ring of Fire area, and to inform modelling to assess the incremental impact of planned and future individual development projects. Protocols and baseline data from this project will allow for continued standardized monitoring that may be done through universities, government departments at the federal and provincial levels with transferability to private sector environmental consultants that will support Environmental Assessment needs for the mining and forestry sectors, with broader implications in establishing such monitoring across the country for a range of species.

该NSERC联盟项目的重点是驯鹿（Rangifer tarandus），重点是极北地区和与拟议的火环采矿活动有关的保护问题，对在全国范围内实施驯鹿监测具有更广泛的影响。林地驯鹿生态类型，特别是北方种群（根据《濒危物种法》（SARA）被列为濒危物种）和东部迁徙驯鹿（目前正在考虑根据SARA被列为濒危物种）季节性地共同出现在远北地区，包括火环地区。为了有效地监测驯鹿和减轻人类发展的影响，通过特伦特大学，加拿大环境与气候变化（ECCC）和Omnia生态服务之间的伙伴关系建立两种生态类型的基线数据至关重要，ECCC促进该地区土著社区的参与。该项目带来了所需的研究能力，以支持使用新的测序技术和先进的计算，随着时间的推移生成标准化的可靠数据。通过收集粪便样本非侵入性地获得的基因组数据用于将个体驯鹿分配到它们各自的指定单位（DU）或驯鹿，其代表来自多个DU来源的混合物，因为其与种群调查有关;产生一系列种群人口统计学参数并通过家族网络评估单时刻种群遗传结构连接性;以及近亲繁殖。这项研究的结果将用于提供关于火环地区驯鹿的发生和状况的基线信息，并为评估计划和未来个别发展项目的增量影响的建模提供信息。该项目的协议和基线数据将允许通过大学、联邦和省一级的政府部门进行持续的标准化监测，并可转让给私营部门的环境顾问，以支持采矿和林业部门的环境评估需求，并对在全国范围内对一系列物种进行此类监测产生更广泛的影响。