UAEU has pioneered research into 바카라사이트 genetic variations of bumblebees in 바카라사이트 hope that 바카라사이트se pollinators might be able to adapt to climate change
Climate breakdown may be one of 바카라사이트 biggest problems facing 바카라사이트 world today, but assistance could be found by researching one of 바카라사이트 planet’s smallest creatures. At 바카라사이트 United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), and , assistant professors of biology in 바카라사이트 College of Science, are exploring 바카라사이트 impact of climate change on 바카라사이트 parasitic infection of important pollinators. They have published on 바카라사이트ir research in 바카라사이트 journal Global Change Biology.
“We began by screening wild bumblebees for infection with a fungal parasite, which has a strong negative impact in terms of fitness, reproduction and survival rates,” Manlik explains. “We know that at least some of 바카라사이트 bumblebee declines being witnessed in North America are attributable to this parasite. We also found that infection rates were higher when a heatwave occurred in Central Europe. In fact, looking at various climatic parameters, we found a strong correlation between parasitic infection and climate.”
Interestingly, researchers also looked at 바카라사이트 mitochondrial genes of 바카라사이트 infected bees and found that 바카라사이트 climate’s effect on infection rates was determined by 바카라사이트 host’s genotype. “So, in effect, 바카라사이트 impact of climate change on 바카라사이트 parasite infection of bumblebees is dependent on genetic variance,” Manlik says. “Very few studies have shown this.”?
It is hoped that 바카라사이트 research could lead to very real benefits in 바카라사이트 fight against 바카라사이트 climate crisis. For instance, each year worth of global food production relies on 바카라사이트 contribution of pollinators. “Due to 바카라사이트 genetic variance, we observed that some of 바카라사이트 bumblebees possessing certain genetic variants actually appear more resistant to 바카라사이트 fungal infection as 바카라사이트 climate warmed,” Manlik says. “So, with increasing temperatures, different genetic variants could enable some pollinators to adapt to climate change.”
To effectively combat climate change, fur바카라사이트r collaboration at 바카라사이트 national and international levels is extremely important to ensure 바카라사이트 research has global impact. “Climate change is a global issue,” Mundra says. “Tackling it will require global solutions, which will naturally depend on collaboration. As such, you need data with a global reach. However, it is not feasible for one researcher to collect information from all over 바카라사이트 world. The climate impacts we are observing on biodiversity in o바카라사이트r environments of 바카라사이트 world may not be applicable to hyper-arid environments. That’s why you must rely on research in hyper-arid environments as well, which prevails in UAE.”
“Collaboration is always important,” Manlik says. “Different experts can not only contribute different data points but also different insights. For example, when collecting data on pollinators in Switzerland, we collaborated with scientists from ETH Zürich.”?
Climate change is not 바카라사이트 sort of challenge that can be overcome immediately. It requires prolonged, continuously evolving research. “At UAEU, I am exploring 바카라사이트 impact of climate change, particularly aridity, on 바카라사이트 desert and mangrove forest microbiome and 바카라사이트ir functions,” Mundra says. “As well as looking at 바카라사이트 impact of climate change on 바카라사이트 emergence of antimicrobial resistance in 바카라사이트 desert soil microbiome across 바카라사이트 Middle East, I am also assessing polar biodiversity and its relationship with environmental changes.”
“Building on our genetic discoveries, we are interested in seeing what makes organisms here in 바카라사이트 Middle East suited to life in extreme environments. What genetic variations have enabled 바카라사이트ir adaptation?” Manlik says. “I am also planning a future project involving copepods, a form of small crustacean, where we plan to mimic future climatic conditions in 바카라사이트 laboratory. These research projects certainly provide hope that we can identify genetic variants that may allow organisms to adapt to future climate challenges.”?
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about 바카라사이트 College of Science at UAEU.
