Adaptation to global change in Alberta’s mountain environment
Using the Columbian ground squirrel as a model animal species, we are examining organismal responses to patterns of global change. Because of demonstrated gene flow over the mountain environment, from alpine to foothill habitats in Alberta, the ground squirrels have evolved extreme phenotypic plasticity in their lifecycles. Thus, they are at the extreme favorable limit of flexibility to short-term changes in the physical environment that are occurring under climatic aspects of global change. In addition, the ground squirrels respond through their lifecycles to two critical climatic changes that are especially important in Alberta: the onset of spring and the intensity of midsummer warming and drying. These climatic elements exhibit increased fluctuations over the years, and our long-term studies permit testing of both basic and practical questions of animal reactions to climatic fluctuations.
PI: Dr. F Stephen Dobson (Professor, Auburn University)
Duration: 26 years ongoing (1992-present)
Collaborators: P Neuhaus (Univ Calgary), DW Coltman (U Alberta), VA Viblanc (IPHC-CNRS), JE Lane (Univ Saskatoon), etc.......
Adaptation to global change in Alberta’s mountain environment
Using the Columbian ground squirrel as a model animal species, we are examining organismal responses to patterns of global change. Because of demonstrated gene flow over the mountain environment, from alpine to foothill habitats in Alberta, the ground squirrels have evolved extreme phenotypic plasticity in their lifecycles. Thus, they are at the extreme favorable limit of flexibility to short-term changes in the physical environment that are occurring under climatic aspects of global change. In addition, the ground squirrels respond through their lifecycles to two critical climatic changes that are especially important in Alberta: the onset of spring and the intensity of midsummer warming and drying. These climatic elements exhibit increased fluctuations over the years, and our long-term studies permit testing of both basic and practical questions of animal reactions to climatic fluctuations.
PI: Dr. F Stephen Dobson (Professor, Auburn University)
Duration: 26 years ongoing (1992-present)
Collaborators: P Neuhaus (Univ Calgary), DW Coltman (U Alberta), VA Viblanc (IPHC-CNRS), JE Lane (Univ Saskatoon), etc.......