{"id":11389,"date":"2026-02-02T14:30:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-02T17:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nis.gl\/projekt\/body-condition-movement-and-genetic-landscape-of-greenlandic-caribou-drivers-of-population-structure-and-adaptation-at-fine-spatial-scale\/"},"modified":"2026-02-02T14:30:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-02T17:30:07","slug":"body-condition-movement-and-genetic-landscape-of-greenlandic-caribou-drivers-of-population-structure-and-adaptation-at-fine-spatial-scale","status":"publish","type":"projekt","link":"https:\/\/nis.gl\/en\/projekt\/body-condition-movement-and-genetic-landscape-of-greenlandic-caribou-drivers-of-population-structure-and-adaptation-at-fine-spatial-scale\/","title":{"rendered":"Body condition, movement and genetic landscape of Greenlandic caribou: drivers of population structure and adaptation at fine-spatial scale"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Ph.D. student:<\/strong> Aur\u00e9lien Grange, Pinngortitaleriffik, Institute of Birds and Mammals<br \/>\nGranted amount: DKK 2.605.200<\/p>\n<p><strong>Project description:<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Caribou is a key species structuring most terrestrial ecosystems across the Arctic. Native to West<br \/>\nGreenland, the species is of high cultural and subsistence value for many local communities. Yet, a<br \/>\nbetter understanding of drivers of caribou space use, movements, and population structure and<br \/>\nadaptation is crucial for conservation and management. In this context, I plan during my PhD to<br \/>\ninvestigate how variation in caribou physiologies, seasonal movements and genetics interact in the<br \/>\nKangerlussuaq-Sisimiut (KS) management area, the largest herd\/area in Greenland, spanning a climatic<br \/>\ngradient from the coast to the inland ice.<\/p>\n<p>This continentality gradient is strongly shaping vegetation communities, with direct effect on caribou<br \/>\nbody condition and metabolism. My first objective is to investigate the different physiological<br \/>\nstrategies caribou use to support pregnancy, within a single management region. To demonstrate the<br \/>\npresence of different \u2018types\u2019 of caribou, I will combine morphological measurements, diet composition,<br \/>\nand stable blood isotopes , providing insights into how energy is reallocated to reproduction.<\/p>\n<p>Second, I will examine how vegetation, human activities, and terrain features influence caribou<br \/>\nmovements, using GPS data from collared female caribou. I aim to test if the different \u2018types\u2019 of caribou<br \/>\nexhibit different movement patterns. These analyses will provide critical insights into landscape<br \/>\nfriction, a key factor for understanding connectivity and caribou gene flow.<\/p>\n<p>Third, I aim to investigate caribou population structure at fine-scale spatial scale within the KS region.<br \/>\nFor the first time, I will integrate movement and genetic data to infer the functional connectivity of the<br \/>\nlandscape. By analysing caribou genomic data, I aim to identify candidate genes underlying<br \/>\nphysiological differences. Finding such genes would provide evidence of local adaptation within a same<br \/>\nmanagement unit; if not it would imply that West Greenland caribou can be highly plastic and adjust<br \/>\ntheir metabolism to different environmental conditions.<\/p>\n<p>The results from my PhD will have major implications for management in Greenland and other Arctic<br \/>\ncountries, as both climate change and hunting can differently affect these caribou \u2018types\u2019. This work is<br \/>\nparticularly relevant for the UNESCO world heritage Aasivissuit-Nipisat expanding its area across the<br \/>\nstudies continentality gradient, with primary goals of protecting nature to sustain traditional activities<br \/>\nin a region facing increasing climate warming and anthropic pressures.<\/p>\n<p>To remain close to my study region and its communities, I plan to spend one month per year as intern<br \/>\nat Qeqqata Kommunia working on initiatives work related to the UNESCO world heritage. This<br \/>\nexperience will give me a unique opportunity to refine my hypothesis and identify the landscape<br \/>\nvariables most likely to influence caribou physiology, movement and genetics.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ph.D. student: Aur\u00e9lien Grange, Pinngortitaleriffik, Institute of Birds and Mammals Granted amount: DKK 2.605.200 Project description: Caribou is a key species structuring most terrestrial ecosystems across the Arctic. Native to West Greenland, the species is of high cultural and subsistence value for many local communities. Yet, a better understanding of drivers of caribou space use, 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