Climate variability and change (CVC) effects on char in the Arctic

The research project is comprised of two components: 1) investigation of char biodiversity using genetic approaches, and char life history and thermal ecology using otolith microchemistry and stable isotope techniques at several areas throughout the Canadian Arctic (western Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, Nunatsiavut), thereby providing the biological context in which to place climate variability and change effects on this key resource; climate effects on mercury bioaccumulation in chars are also investigated in parallel with these studies, and 2) development of community-based monitoring programs in Sachs Harbour, Kuujjuaaq, and Nain to assess and monitor local char biodiversity, this links understanding gained from the research component directly with biodiversity observable locally by northerners. This component will be suitable for general dissemination to other northern communities as a model for developing similar local programs. A third component develops a network of char researchers and northerners to address common issues of char-climate interactions, foster information exchange, and link to other key national and international networks. Research outputs, monitoring programs, and networks will serve as lasting legacies of this IPY project.

本研究项目包含三大组成部分：
1. 第一部分：采用遗传学方法开展红点鲑（char）生物多样性调查，并借助耳石微化学（otolith microchemistry）与稳定同位素（stable isotope）分析技术，在加拿大北极地区的多个调研区域（西北地区西部、努纳武特、努纳维克、努纳齐亚福特）探究红点鲑的生活史特征与热生态特征，从而为解析气候变化对这一关键资源的影响提供生物学背景；与此同时，本部分还同步开展气候对红点鲑体内汞生物累积的影响研究。
2. 第二部分：在萨克斯港（Sachs Harbour）、库朱阿克（Kuujjuaaq）与内恩（Nain）三地搭建基于社区的监测计划，以评估并监测当地的红点鲑生物多样性。本计划将第一部分所获的科学认知与北部原住民可实地观测的本地生物多样性直接关联，且可作为范本向其他北部社区推广，用于开发同类本土监测项目。
3. 第三部分：搭建红点鲑研究者与北部原住民的合作网络，共同应对红点鲑与气候相互作用相关的共性问题，促进信息交流，并对接其他重要的国内与国际合作网络。
本项目的研究成果、监测方案与合作网络，将成为本届国际极地年（IPY）项目的持久遗产。