Incomplete degradation of lichen usnic acid and atranorin in Svalbard reindeer (Rangifer tarandus platyrhynchus)

Previous studies of Eurasian tundra reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) in Norway indicate that their rumen microbiota play a key role in degrading lichen secondary metabolites. We investigated the presence of usnic acid and atranorin in faecal samples from Svalbard reindeer (R. tarandus platyrhynchus). Samples were collected in Bolterdalen valley together with vegetation samples from the study site. The mesic tundra in this area was dominated by vascular plants (59% of vegetation cover). Bryophytes (16%) and lichens (25%) were also present. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of usnic acid and atranorin in lichen and faeces samples were performed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Contents of atranorin averaged 12.49 ± 0.41 mg g–1 in the thalli of Stereocaulon alpinum, while the average level of usnic acid was lowest in Cladonia mitis (12.75 ± 2.86 mg g–1) and highest in Flavocetraria cucullata (34.87 ± 0.47 mg g–1). Atranorin and usnic acid were detected in the faecal samples, averaging 0.41 ± 0.53 and 0.74 ± 1.11 (mean ± SD) mg g–1 dry matter, respectively. The presence of lichen secondary compounds in faeces from Svalbard reindeer shows that lichens are indeed included in their diet, although probably in small amounts because of depleted pastures. Contrary to previous findings in reindeer on mainland Norway, atranorin and usnic acid are not completely degraded or absorbed in Svalbard reindeer. To elucidate the mechanisms behind detoxification of lichen secondary compounds in reindeer, more research is needed on their respective rumen microbiomes and digestive enzymes

Suggestions for a systematic regulatory approach to ocean plastics

The research investigates the problems and maps the solutions to the serious threat that plastics pose to the oceans, food safety, and human health, with more than eight million tons of plastic debris dumped in the sea every year. The aim of this study is to explore how to better improve the regulatory process of ocean plastics by integrating scientific results, regulatory strategies and action plans so as to limit the impact of plastics at sea. Adopting a problem-solving approach and identifying four areas of intervention enable the establishment of a regulatory framework from a multi-actor, multi-issue, and multi-level perspective. The research methodology consists of a two-pronged approach: 1. An analysis of the state-of-the-art definition of plastics, micro-, and nanoplastics (respectively, MPs and NPs), and 2. The identification and discussion of loopholes in the current regulation, suggesting key actions to be taken at a global, regional and national level. In particular, the study proposes a systemic integration of scientific and regulatory advancements towards the construction of an interconnected multi-tiered (MT) plastic governance framework. The milestones reached by the project SECURE at UiT - The Arctic University of Norway provide evidence of the strength of the theory of integration and rights-based approaches. The suggested model holds substantial significance for the fields of environmental protection, food security, food safety, and human health. This proposed MT plastic governance framework allows for the holistic and effective organization of complex information and scenarios concerning plastics regulation. Containing a clear definition of plastics, grounded on the precautionary principle, the MT plastic framework should provide detailed mitigation measures, with a clear indication of rights and duties, and in coordination with an effective reparatory justice system

Resilience Thinking in Reindeer Husbandry

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Resilience Thinking in Reindeer Husbandry

Resilience expresses the capacity of a social-ecological system to adapt to, absorb, or withstand perturbations and other stressors so that the system remains. Reindeer nomadic husbandry is a coupled social-ecological system that sustains resilience by interacting with the animals and environment: either the herders adjust their actions to animal behavior or change this behavior in ways that suit the herd and pastures. Stressors and shocks affecting Sámi reindeer husbandry are, for instance, sudden warm air temperatures with subsequent snow melting and freezing in winter, bad grazing conditions, loss of grazing lands, and even socio-economic reforms. All these are sudden, unprepared, or forced changes. Climate change resilience includes using reindeer herders’ Indigenous knowledge of selective breeding by maintaining different phenotypes of reindeer such as non-productive and castrated animals in the herd. Nevertheless, in Sámi reindeer husbandry in Norway today, low numbers of male reindeer and the absence of castrated animals challenge the herders’ resilience coping strategies. This chapter discusses factors that constrain resilience in herding societies, contribute to the transformation of reindeer husbandry and the erosion of resilience in the herding society

Academic development through a collective approach – introducing peer observation of teaching in a multidisciplinary faculty

Peer observation of teaching is seen as a significant feature of professional development in higher education, aiming to improve teaching and learning. This qualitative case study explores how peer observation can be introduced at a multidisciplinary faculty with STEM and business educations, identifying opportunities and challenges experienced when colleagues participate in peer observation. A peer observation project was launched as part of implementing the faculty strategy to enhance educational quality and led by the vice-dean of education at the faculty. A stepwise protocol focusing on planning, classroom management and self-reflection was used to help organize the cooperation. Twelve academics participated, all were observed during teaching, and all acted as an observer. Semi-structured interviews with four participants and a summary from the closing meeting of the project, showed that peer observation enhanced the educational discourse with their significant colleagues and enabled to accentuate teaching as a collective approach. The findings of this study indicate the potential of peer observation of teaching. Experience was gained on how education leaders can approach the task of introducing peer observation of teaching as a practice in a multidisciplinary faculty, overcoming barriers to participation such as lack of time and fear of being observed, and enabling a real step away from teaching as a private enterprise towards teaching as acollective approach for faculty development

The Bacterial Microbiome in the Small Intestine of Hooded Seals (Cystophora cristata)

Arctic hooded seals (Cystophora cristata) are monogastric carnivores that go through extreme fasting and re-feeding in early life. They are born isolated on sea ice; suckle high-fat milk for four days and may then fast for up to one month before they start hunting and feeding on small prey (fish and crustaceans). Previous studies of the gut microbiota in pinnipeds have focused on the large intestine, while little data exist on the small intestinal microbiota. In this study, the bacterial microbiome in the proximal and distal small intestine of four captive two-year old seals (two males and two females) fed herring (Clupea harengus) was sampled post-mortem and characterized using 16S rRNA metabarcoding from the V1–V3 hypervariable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The seals were originally born in the wild and taken into human care at the end of the suckling period. Molecular-based analysis using Illumina Hiseq resulted in 569,910 16S rRNA sequences from the four seals (both sampling sites together). Taxonomical classification applying a naive Bayesian algorithm gave 412 Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs). Firmicutes was the major phylum across samples (Proximal (P): 90.5% of total sequences, on average; Distal (D): 94.5%), followed by Actinobacteria (P: 7%; D: 0.3%) and Proteobacteria (P: 1.7%; D: 1.9%). Bacterial spp. belonging to the Clostridium (P: 54.1%; D: 41.6%) and SMB53 (P: 15.3%; D: 21.5%) constituted the major genera in both the proximal and distal small intestine. Furthermore, comparison with hindgut and fecal samples from geographically diverse marine mammals highlighted similarities in the microbiome between our seals and those sharing similar aquatic environments. This study has provided a first reliable glimpse of the bacterial microbiota in the small intestine microbiome of hooded seals

Characterization of the gut microbiome of hooded seals (Cystophora cristata)

Poster from 30th Conference of the European Cetacean Society. Arranged in Funchal, Madeira, from 14.03.16 - 16.03.16

Bridging traditional and scientific knowledge on reindeer meat smoking - a pilot study

Smoking reindeer meat in a traditional Sámi lávvu (tent) is a knowledgeable and long tradition for food preservation among Sámi reindeer herders. However, due to the formation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) during smoking, scientists associate smoked meat with human health risks. PAH contamination of smoked food depends on the smoking method, the temperature and the wood species. The smoking temperature and the PAH contaminations of Sámi traditional lávvu-smoked reindeer products yet remain uninvestigated. To remedy this knowledge gap, we developed a unique co-produced lávvu-laboratory pilot study for temperature measurements and PAH analysis of smoked reindeer meat with different Arctic wood species (willow, birch and juniper) and plant parts (logs and twigs). Our study confirms reindeer herders understanding, that birch wood, and especially birch twigs, generate higher smoking temperatures than willow. Except reindeer meat smoked with birch twigs, PAH levels of analysed reindeer meat cuts were lower than EU recommended maximum levels. However, all smoked reindeer fat samples showed much elevated PAH contaminations. Our results demonstrate the importance of co-production including both scientific and traditional knowledge in research for increased understanding of Indigenous peoples’ traditional food smoking and to insure healthy traditional smoked Arctic products

High-throughput DNA sequencing of the moose rumen from different geographical locations reveals a core ruminal methanogenic archaeal diversity and a differential ciliate protozoal diversity

Moose rumen samples from Vermont, Alaska and Norway were investigated for methanogenic archaeal and protozoal density using real-time PCR, and diversity using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S and 18S rRNA genes. Vermont moose showed the highest protozoal and methanogen densities. Alaskan samples had the highest percentages of Methanobrevibacter smithii, followed by the Norwegian samples. One Norwegian sample contained 43 % Methanobrevibacter thaueri, whilst all other samples contained 70 % Polyplastron multivesiculatum and one contained >75 % Entodinium spp. Protozoa from Norwegian moose belonged predominantly (>50 %) to the genus Entodinium, especially Entodinium caudatum. Norwegian moose contained a large proportion of sequences (25–97 %) which could not be classified beyond family. Protozoa from Vermont samples were predominantly Eudiplodinium rostratum (>75 %), with up to 7 % Diploplastron affine. Four of the eight Vermont samples also contained 5–12 % Entodinium spp. Samples were heterogeneous based on AMOVA, principal coordinate analysis and UniFrac. This study gives the first insight into the methanogenic archaeal diversity in the moose rumen. The high percentage of rumen archaeal species associated with high starch diets found in Alaskan moose corresponds well to previous data suggesting that they feed on plants high in starch. Similarly, the higher percentage of species related to forage diets in Vermont moose also relates well to their higher intake of fibre

Methane emissions are lower from reindeer fed lichens compared to a concentrate feed

Methane emissions from reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus) fed lichens (mainly Cladonia stellaris) and a concentrate feed were determined using open-circuit respirometry. The lichen diet was low in crude protein (< 2.6% of dry matter [DM]), starch (6.0% DM) and acid detergent lignin (2.0% DM) compared to the concentrate feed (12.7, 22.5 and 7.2% DM, respectively), and high in neutral detergent fibre (82.2% DM versus 34.8% DM in concentrate feed). The feeds were offered in equal amounts (ca. 0.440 kg DM) 2 h after initiating methane recordings in the respiration chamber. The reindeer were adapted to these diets for > 4 weeks prior to experiments and methane emissions recorded for two separate 23 h periods for each diet. Methane emissions increased on average by 0.93 g/h (or by 5.8 times) in the first hour after feeding the concentrate feed, while emissions remained unchanged after the intake of lichens. Mean methane emissions from reindeer (n = 5) were 7.5 ± 0.54 (SE) g CH4 day−1 when fed lichens, compared to a higher emission (p = 0.001) of 11.2 ± 0.54 g CH4 day−1 on the concentrate diet. The mean proportion of gross energy intake lost as methane was 5.2 ± 0.37% on the lichens and 7.6 ± 0.37%, or some 50% higher, on the concentrate feed. This difference was significant (p < 0.001). Our results suggest that it is of environmental importance to preserve the lichens on the tundra and minimize supplementary feeding with concentrate diets, in order to reduce methane emission