Population genetics of reintroduced Svalbard reindeer populations (RiS-ID 11157)

My project aims to study the genetic implications of artificial reintroductions (translocations) of reindeer from Adventdalen to two areas where reindeer were locally extinct in the late 1970’s. I will supplement existing DNA (microsatellite) data with additional samples collected in the field to characterise the genetic structuring of reintroduced subpopulations along the Northwest coast of Spitsbergen and quantify their genetic diversity. In combination with existing long-term population monitoring data, I will also estimate inbreeding coefficients and effective population sizes of these populations.