Mapping Migrations: The Bird Genoscape Project

Topic

Resource Type

Videos
- Scientists at Work

Level

High School — General High School — AP/IB College

Duration

00:10:13

Saved By

2 Members

Description

This video follows an international team of researchers as they collect data to map migratory bird populations in the US and Mexico.

These researchers are part of the Bird Genoscape Project, an international effort to collect DNA samples from migratory birds in North America. This information helps pinpoint where the birds breed and spend their winters, which informs conservation efforts for protecting declining bird populations.

An audio descriptive version of the film is available via our media player. Select the “AD” button to enable audio description.

Key Terms

adaptation, breeding grounds, DNA extraction, migration, population decline, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), warbler, wintering grounds

Primary Literature

Bird Genoscape Project. Accessed October 9, 2023. https://www.birdgenoscape.org/.

Ruegg, Kristen C., Eric C. Anderson, Kristina L. Paxton, Vanessa Apkenas, Sirena Lao, Rodney B. Siegel, David F. DeSante, et al. 2014. “Mapping migration in a songbird using high-resolution genetic markers.” Molecular Ecology 23, 23: 5726–5739. https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.12977.