Exploratory Research and Biological Inventory of St. MatthewIsland, Bering Sea

这项研究建议研究圣马修群岛的生物多样性，圣马修群岛是一个偏远的群岛，位于白令海中心。这个群岛是以前更广泛的柏林生态系统的孤立残留物。它们提供了直接采样该地区残留物的机会，该地区对两大洲的动物群产生了重要影响。今天的贝林贾是北极科学界非常感兴趣的一个地区，这个群岛是几个特有物种和种群的宿主。PIS计划收集植物、哺乳动物、鸟类和无脊椎动物的组织和标本，以进行进一步的系统和生态研究。这些调查将是对生物群的第一次全面研究，PI将把他们的发现与历史收集进行比较，并将为研究全球变化对北极的影响提供基线数据。由于与世隔绝和后勤要求，前往圣马修的旅行极其困难和昂贵。PIS计划利用USFWS提供的独特机会，为PIS乘坐R/V Tiglax号科考船前往附近的霍尔岛提供空间。由于后勤需求是极端的，机会的窗口是时间敏感的，私人投资机构选择在探索性研究小额赠款(SGER)计划的指导下提交一份范围有限的提案。

This study proposes to study the biological diversity of St. Matthew Islands, a remote archipelago located in the center of the Bering Sea. This archipelago is an isolated remnant of a formerly more extensive Beringian ecosystem. They offer the chance to sample directly the remnants of a region that has had important effects on the fauna of two continents. Beringia today represents an area of considerable interest to arctic science, and this archipelago is host to several endemic species and populations. The PIs plan to collect tissue and specimens of plants, mammals, birds, and invertebrates for further systematic and ecological study. These surveys will be the first comprehensive study of the biota, and the PIs will compare their findings with historical collections and will provide baseline data for studies of the effects of global change in the Arctic. Travel to St. Matthew is extremely difficult and expensive because of the isolation and logistical requirements. The PIs plan to take advantage of unique opportunity afforded by USFWS, which is providing space for the PIs aboard their research vessel R/V Tiglax on a cruise to nearby Hall Island. Because the logistical demands are extreme and the window for opportunity is time-sensitive, the PIs have chosen to submit a proposal of limited scope under the guidelines of the Small Grants for Exploratory Research (SGER) program.