Taimyr Reindeer Migration Reanalysis (TAMARA), Taimyr, Russia, 1969-2003

Reindeer or Caribou (Rangifer tarandus L.) inhabit Arctic lands in Eurasia and North America. An important part of Arctic ecosystems and Aboriginal livelihood, wild reindeer have been monitored by scientists for almost 50 years. During this time, herds have exhibited large changes in size and these changes have been recorded in almost all herds across the animal's range. The increase in the number of wild reindeer 20-30 years ago was almost universally followed by a significant population loss in the last decade. In addition, recent monitoring revealed substantial shifts in the distribution of wild populations. The decline in wild reindeer is likely related to natural cycles and changes in the Arctic environment caused by climate change and increased anthropogenic activity. In order to explain the observed changes in the abundance and distribution of reindeer, it is necessary to collect long-term and seasonal observations. The Taimyr Reindeer Herd (TRH) is both the largest and the longest monitored wild reindeer herd in Eurasia. The Extreme North Agricultural Research Institute in Norilsk, Russia, has observed the TRH since 1969. Only a limited amount of the information on the TRH has been released, digitized, processed, analyzed or published. Much of the information is held in single-copy paper in locations and under conditions that threaten its longevity. The proposed project aims to digitize all available past records concerning the Taimyr wild reindeer populations and develop related datasets on climate and habitat over the decades of observation. The Taimyr Reindeer Migration Reanalysis (TAMARA) project will be based upon a collaborative and integrated interdisciplinary international network of reindeer experts, arctic researchers, and geospatial scientists. The project is designed to build a comprehensive and openly available information system that will provide insight into the historical relationship between humans, climate, environment, and reindeer. Building on both international and local experiences the investigators will implement a major data digitization and dissemination effort that will be a considerable contribution to the polar cyberinfrastructure pertaining to Arctic terrestrial mammals. The project has the following objectives: 1) Retrieve, digitize, archive, transfer, process and publish historical observational data collected between 1969 and 2009, document relevant methodologies, and develop appropriate metadata; 2) Develop value-added data products resulting from the (re)analysis of historical spatial migration patterns of the TRH; and 3) Contribute to developing polar spatial cyberinfrastructure by creating a comprehensive and open data visualization and data dissemination system. The TAMARA project will be an integral part of the worldwide network of reindeer observation programs. The project will involve US and Russian scientists and students, supporting one graduate student and two part-time undergraduates. Results will be widely disseminated to local residents and stakeholders. The project will contribute to the early career development of a young investigator.驯鹿（Rangifer tarandus L.）栖息于欧亚大陆与北美洲的北极地区。作为北极生态系统与原住民生计的重要组成部分，野生驯鹿已被科学家监测近50年。在此期间，各鹿群的种群规模出现大幅波动，且该物种分布范围内的几乎所有鹿群均记录到此类变化。20至30年前野生驯鹿种群数量的增长，几乎无一例外地在近十年间伴随了显著的种群衰减。此外，近期监测显示野生种群的分布范围发生了显著变化。野生驯鹿的种群衰减可能与自然周期，以及气候变化与人类活动加剧引发的北极环境变化相关。为阐释驯鹿种群丰度与分布的观测变化，需收集长期且季节性的观测数据。 泰梅尔驯鹿群（Taimyr Reindeer Herd, TRH）是欧亚大陆规模最大、监测时长最长的野生驯鹿群。俄罗斯诺里尔斯克的极北农业研究所自1969年起便对该鹿群开展监测。目前，关于TRH的公开信息仅为少数，且其中经数字化处理、分析或正式发表的内容更是有限。多数信息仅以单份纸质形式留存，且其存储地点与环境均对资料的长期保存构成威胁。 本拟议项目旨在将所有可获取的泰梅尔野生驯鹿种群历史记录进行数字化处理，并构建观测数十年间的气候与栖息地相关数据集。泰梅尔驯鹿迁徙再分析（Taimyr Reindeer Migration Reanalysis, TAMARA）项目将依托由驯鹿专家、北极研究者与地理空间科学家组成的跨学科国际协作网络。本项目旨在构建一套全面且可公开获取的信息系统，以解析人类、气候、环境与驯鹿之间的历史关联。 研究团队将结合国际与本土经验，开展大规模的数据数字化与共享工作，这将为针对北极陆生哺乳动物的极地网络基础设施建设作出重要贡献。本项目设定如下目标：1）对1969年至2009年间收集的历史观测数据进行检索、数字化、归档、传输、处理与发布，记录相关研究方法并构建适配的元数据；2）基于对TRH历史空间迁徙模式的（再）分析，开发增值数据产品；3）构建全面且开放的数据可视化与数据共享系统，助力极地空间网络基础设施的发展。 TAMARA项目将成为全球驯鹿监测计划网络的核心组成部分。本项目将吸纳美国与俄罗斯的科学家及学生参与，为1名研究生与2名兼职本科生提供研究支持。项目成果将广泛向当地居民与利益相关方传播。本项目还将助力一位青年研究者的职业早期发展。