Objective
In the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea (NWMED), anticyclonic eddies (clockwise spinning flows) increase fishes’ eggs and larvae (ichthyoplankton, IP) survival rate by providing protection and nutrients. However, the underlying dynamics of this retention and nursing mechanism remain not fully understood, preventing us from anticipating climate change effects on early life stages of strategic fish. RELACS aims to understand if and how climate change will impact the role of eddies in the survival of IP. Combining three novel tools to quantify the presence of these oceanic structures and I will identify the mechanisms by which these eddies retain and nurse IP. I will explore whether expected changes in future climate change scenarios could affect this mechanism. My interdisciplinary knowledge in physical and biological oceanography will be enhanced by addressing this challenge with data from two novel observing systems that will be available for the NWMED (namely, an array of High-Frequency coastal radars (HFR) and the recently launched Surface Water Ocean Topography (SWOT) altimetry mission), and by using an unprecedented set of NWMED numerical simulations. From the observational side, I will leverage my knowledge on the SWOT altimetry data, and gain skills on HFR during my first secondment at Dr. A. Rubio’s team. I will expand my modelling skills at the hosting institution and during a second secondment with Dr. L. Renault. Then, with the help of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project climate projections, I will develop a series of scenarios for the evolution of the early stages of fishes at the region to contribute to predict the expected changes in fisheries due to changes in the environment. Finally, I will transfer the knowledge of the outcomes to society by creating a report evaluating the risks of climate change for Catalan fisheries, and the need for climate adaptation during my non-academic placement at the Catalan Research Institute for Sea Governance.
Fields of science
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesmarine biology
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesastronomyplanetary sciencesplanetary geology
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringecosystem-based managementclimate change adaptation
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesoceanography
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European FellowshipsCoordinator
28006 Madrid
Spain