Objective
Among plants, diatoms are the second only to the flowering plants in terms of their biodiversity (c. 200,000 species) and their contribution to global photosynthetic productivity (c. 20% of the total annually). They are also the most important organisms fo r studying changes in water quality and aquatic conditions over time-scales of months to millions of years. Diatom taxonomy, however, is relatively primitive. During the last 30 years, species concepts have changed, from narrow to broad definitions and the n back to narrow ones, with accompanying confusing changes in nomenclature.
The reasons for these changes have not been tested and it is not clear that the newest classification is the best. As consequence several incompatible classifications are in use, compromising ecological and other applied studies. Therefore, the main objectives of this project are to test the diatom species concept using the genus Pinnularia as a study model and to establish a secure taxonomy for Pinnularia.
The genus inhabits mostly freshwater and reaches its maximum diversity in low electrolyte waters that are highly sensitive to environmental disturbance, thus it is a worthwhile subject of research. The objectives will be achieved by using recently developed mating protocols to investigate reproductive isolation; by complementing this with molecular genetic studies using appropriate markers (rbcL and ITS rDNA sequence analysis); and by testing agreement between morphology, molecular data and mating experiments.
Therefore, the project and its objectives are relevant to the Specific Programme: III.1.1 and III.2.1. Working at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will provide advanced training in experimental culture techniques, the reproductive biology of diatoms and molecular methods i n a close-knit institute with specialists in all appropriate fields. The project will be also an opportunity to develop new lines and methods of research and to strengthen writing and communication skills.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences hydrology
- social sciences economics and business economics production economics productivity
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology ecosystems
- natural sciences biological sciences reproductive biology
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
FP6-2002-MOBILITY-5
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Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Coordinator
United Kingdom
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.