Planktonic larvae in Arctic seas: diversity, connectivity and conservation

Objective

In a rapidly changing Arctic, identifying priority areas for conservation requires understanding of biodiversity distribution and genetic connectivity. Benthic invertebrates are central to Arctic marine ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling, carbon storage, and food webs. While adults live on the seafloor, their microscopic larvae drift with ocean currents, driving species dispersal and connectivity. Because these larvae are nearly impossible to identify by eye, knowledge of their diversity and distribution remains scarce. Recent advances in DNA techniques, however, have revolutionized larval identification so that most larvae can now be identified to species and even population level directly from bulk plankton samples, opening new possibilities for Arctic biodiversity research. The POLARIS project will use these tools to 1) map biodiversity patterns and hotspots of benthic invertebrate larvae at a pan-Arctic scale, 2) uncover networks of genetic connectivity across the Arctic Ocean, and 3) translate findings into conservation planning, including contributions to the State of the Arctic Marine Biodiversity Report and WWF’s ArcNet tool. Existing samples from across the Arctic will be combined with new collections from undersampled regions. DNA metabarcoding will generate species inventories, while the emerging field of metaphylogeography will capitalize on these same DNA sequences to assess genetic connectivity. This Global Fellowship will provide inter- and trans-disciplinary training at Laval University (outgoing) and the University of Barcelona (return), with a non-academic placement at the WWF Global Arctic Programme to focus on conservation applications. By bridging research and conservation, POLARIS will close a critical information gap, ensure that management efforts account for all life stages of marine species, and equip the fellow with unique interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral expertise to address urgent Arctic conservation challenges.