IRES Track II - Cape Horn ASIs: Climate change and disease ecology at the southern end of the Americas

• Main Authors: Gregory, Andrew, Kennedy, James H., Rozzi, Ricardo, 1960-
• Other Authors: National Science Foundation (U.S.)
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2021
• Subjects: climate change; disease ecology; Horn; Cape (Chile); pristine ecological systems; quantitative research designs; data management plans; Antarctic; Cape Horn; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1818406/

Data management plan for the grant "IRES Track II - Cape Horn ASIs: Climate change and disease ecology at the southern end of the Americas." Research giving students the opportunity to be trained in quantitative experimental design and work as part of a multinational research collaboration to study infectious disease emergence in one of the few remaining pristine places on Earth. The Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (CHBR) off the southern tip of South America protects pristine ecosystem is perfect for this type of graduate student training. The CHBR is part of the sub-Antarctic Magellanic ecoregion, which is globally significant because it houses the worlds southernmost forest biome, contains numerous endemic species, is remote, and is relatively free of anthropogenic impacts. The research questions themselves will be flexible, but organized thematically. Specifically, this IRES Track-II will focus on the merging molecular genetic analysis using a mobile next generation sequencing lab with mist netting and arthropod trapping to investigate the impacts of wildlife disease on local biodiversity and community structure. Secondarily, eDNA and traditional wildlife disease monitoring approaches will be applied to understand the potential for zoonosis and understanding ecological factors that contribute to, or inhibit, zoonosis. Resultantly, participation in this program will help train the next generation of scientists with the skills needed to make meaningful contributions to the study of ecology, conservation, and wildlife disease ecology.