Objectif
Climate change and invasive species are widely recognized to be pervasive aspects of global change. However, in aquatic systems a synthetic approach that specifically addresses their important interactive and synergistic effects is missing. CHAOS aims at filling this gap in knowledge by strengthening the scientific basis also needed to formulate management recommendations and to develop integrated policies. Specifically, the project will: (1) synthesize historical records on the climate of inland waters, transitional waters, and coastal areas in the Mid-Atlantic Region of North America and in the Mediterranean Europe, identify the animal species introduced to these systems, and analyze these data in conjunction with geographical, ecological, and socio-economic variables; (2) detail, by collecting in situ first-hand information, the synergistic effects of climate change and targeted invasive species on a range of ecosystems and their services for a selected area in North America; and (3) explore, through laboratory-based experiments, the influence of temperature and salinity on biological traits of an invasive crustacean of particular concern for both North America and Europe, the Chinese mitten crab Eriocheir sinensis. During the 2-year outgoing phase, the fellow researcher will be hosted by the Department of Ecology and Evolution at Stony Brook University (USA). In this prestigious institution, she will acquire new knowledge in the field of global change and complementary skills that will be conveyed to the home country upon her return to the Department of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Florence (Italy). The IO Fellowship will help the proponent reach professional maturity and independence, and ultimately will allow her to reinforce the profile of the European contribution to the current debate around the many factors responsible of global change.
Champ scientifique
Appel à propositions
FP7-PEOPLE-2009-IOF
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Régime de financement
MC-IOF - International Outgoing Fellowships (IOF)Coordinateur
50121 Florence
Italie