Advancements in Genetic Engineering

Recently, a biotech firm based in Dallas, Colossal Laboratories and Biosciences, made headlines by successfully transforming cells from an Asian elephant into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). This is a significant breakthrough, as pluripotent cells can develop into various cell types needed for mammoth revival.

The next steps involve turning these stem cells into egg and sperm cells, alongside selecting genetic traits tied to the mammoth. Successful gestation is also a critical factor. While this process is complex, it is certainly more feasible than resurrecting dinosaurs.

Colossal Labs may not be an official partner of Pleistocene Park, but they are collaborating to extract frozen mammoth DNA from the permafrost for their ambitious project.

The Vision for Pleistocene Park

The primary goal of Pleistocene Park is to reverse the ecological changes that took place roughly 10,000 years ago. By increasing herbivore populations in the Arctic, scientists aim to restore historic grasslands and create a self-sustaining ecosystem that can prevent permafrost from melting.

Initially a dream in 1996, Pleistocene Park is slowly evolving into a reality as Sergei and Nikita Zimov actively seek Ice Age species to introduce into the park.

Photo Credit: Reconstruction of Kap København formation two million years ago, showcasing a warmer climate than today's northern Greenland.

The Zimovs aspire to transform the Arctic tundra back into a mammoth steppe, featuring diverse grasses, herbs, and other flora that can thrive on frozen ground. Such a transformation could significantly slow down permafrost thawing, providing governments with additional time to implement effective carbon-saving strategies.

The disappearance of the mammoth tundra steppe at the start of the Holocene epoch can be attributed to a combination of climate change and early human hunting practices, which disrupted the delicate balance of Arctic ecosystems.

Encouragingly, historical evidence suggests that other Arctic species have successfully adapted when reintroduced into their native environments. For instance, bison and musk oxen have thrived in Alaska, and horses now constitute a significant portion of the biomass in the Republic of Yakutia, home to Pleistocene Park.

The Ecological Benefits of Herbivores

Currently, Pleistocene Park spans 20 square kilometers (approximately 8 square miles) and hosts nine major herbivore species, including reindeer, Yakutia horses, moose, bison, musk ox, Kalmykia cows, sheep, camels, and goats. Unlike warmer regions, these Arctic herbivores can have a cooling effect on the climate through several mechanisms.

When these animals forage during winter, they compress the snow, which disrupts its insulating properties, allowing deeper freezing of the ground. Additionally, grasslands, being lighter in color than shrublands or forests, reflect more sunlight back into space, contributing to a cooling effect known as the Albedo effect. Moreover, the deep root systems of traditional grasses help sequester carbon, preventing its release into the atmosphere.

Challenges of De-extinction

However, the reintroduction of mammoths and other Pleistocene species is not without challenges. The current atmospheric oxygen level is 20%, compared to 16.5% during the Pleistocene. There are also concerns about the microbes that once inhabited mammoths' guts and their potential impact on the ecosystem.

The complexities of this endeavor raise ethical questions about the consequences of "playing God." According to Colossal's timeline, it could take until the mid-century before any engineered mammoths roam the Siberian steppe, by which time we should ideally be on track for a carbon-neutral planet.

Despite these challenges, the research team at Pleistocene Park has observed a gradual transition from shrublands to grasslands in the Siberian tundra over the last twenty years, alongside increased carbon storage and nutrient cycling. If we miss the critical 2050 carbon-neutral deadline, perhaps groundbreaking science could still offer a path to redemption.

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