Norwegian Scientists Use Sparrows to Unlock Secrets of Animal Adaptation
Life in the wild demands constant change. Animals must adapt quickly to survive. Climate change, shrinking habitats, and human activities increasingly threaten natural populations. Some species handle these challenges well. Others struggle to cope with shifting conditions. Scientists now seek to understand why certain animals adapt better than others.
Combining Biology and Mathematics
At the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, researchers merge biology with mathematics. They aim to decode adaptation mysteries. Statistician Kenneth Aase leads the GPWILD project. His team focuses on evolutionary potential. They study how species genetically adapt when environments change.
Island Sparrows Track Evolution
House sparrows along Norway's Helgeland coast offer unique research opportunities. Island populations remain isolated. This isolation limits movement. It allows clear comparisons of genetic differences. Researchers track nearly every bird from birth to death. They build an unparalleled long-term dataset.
"Our island populations are small and delimited," said Aase. "They are exceptionally well-suited for research. Biologists can follow almost all individual sparrows throughout their lives."
For over thirty years, NTNU's Department of Biology and the Gjærevoll Centre collected detailed data. They recorded survival rates, reproduction, body size, and genetics. These long-term datasets let scientists watch evolution unfold across generations. They move beyond short-term observations.
"They can investigate what affects survival and reproduction," Aase noted. "This type of data is both unusual and invaluable."
Genomic Prediction Links DNA to Traits
Aase focuses on genomic prediction. This method connects genetic markers to measurable traits. It examines body mass, wing length, or leg size. Instead of waiting for traits to appear naturally, researchers estimate them directly from DNA.
"This method can tell us whether a sparrow's genes will result in higher or lower body weight," Aase explained. "Body weight influences survival. While GP is widely used in agriculture and medicine, its use in wild populations remains rare."
The team tested GP's ability to predict traits in one population using data from another island. This approach could reduce fieldwork. It allows scientists to study multiple populations more efficiently.
Results showed predictions were most accurate within the same population. Accuracy dropped when crossing populations. Differences in genetic structure, allele frequencies, and environmental conditions caused this decline. Even minor genetic differences can weaken predictive power.
Challenges of Wild Population Studies
Studying wild populations presents unique challenges. Environmental conditions fluctuate constantly. Datasets often contain gaps. Controlled experiments are impossible. "For statisticians, the biggest challenge is that field datasets are often incomplete," said Aase.
The Helgeland sparrow system stands out because data collection is unusually thorough. Aase also uses computer simulations and NTNU's supercomputer, IDUN. He tests models under varying conditions. This ensures robust results despite natural variability.
Conservation Implications
Wild populations worldwide face pressure from climate change and habitat loss. Understanding genetic and ecological responses becomes crucial for conservation. Genomic prediction can help estimate survival potential. It guides decisions on population reinforcement, reintroduction, or protection.
GPWILD plans to expand to other species. These include Svalbard reindeer, Scottish deer, arctic foxes, and additional birds. "Research that starts with small house sparrows now provides tools to help protect species in a rapidly changing world," Aase said.
