Objective Ocean ecosystems are among those most at risk from global climate change. Coastal water chemistry, and carbon chemistry in particular, is changing at a greater rate than ever before, and will drive coastal pH lower than has been experienced by any modern organism. Concurrently, on-going increases in seawater temperature will affect physiological processes at the organismal scale and cause shifts in species ranges at the macroecological scale. It is therefore important to assess the potential for biological response to such changes, on both the species and community levels. The proposed work will target algal-grazer interactions in rocky coastal marine ecosystems. Algal-grazer interactions are known to be of particular importance in the structuring of these communities and maintenance of local biodiversity. Emphasis will be placed on the role of chemical defence compounds produced by algae as mediators of these interactions, and the role that environmental change will play through chemical and physical changes to seawater as possible drivers to change community assembly and function via algal-grazer processes. Research aims include 1) natural observation and measurements at a variety of natural field sites, 2) field experiments, 3) laboratory experiments, and 4) synthesis of these data through ecosystem-scale models used to predict community function and biodiversity. This proposal integrates techniques from ecology, phycology, physiology, and both inorganic and organic biogeochemistry to address ecological consequences of climate change from the individual to community scales. These results will be important for socio-economic valuation of coastal ecosystems across Europe and globally. Fields of science natural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyphycologymedical and health sciencesbasic medicinephysiologynatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changesnatural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystemscoastal ecosystemsnatural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesgeochemistrybiogeochemistry Programme(s) FP7-PEOPLE - Specific programme "People" implementing the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2007 to 2013) Topic(s) FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IIF - Marie Curie Action: "International Incoming Fellowships" Call for proposal FP7-PEOPLE-2012-IIF See other projects for this call Funding Scheme MC-IIF - International Incoming Fellowships (IIF) Coordinator PLYMOUTH MARINE LABORATORY LIMITED Address Prospect place west hoe PL1 3DH Plymouth United Kingdom See on map Region South West (England) Devon Plymouth Activity type Research Organisations Administrative Contact Samantha Barrett (Mrs.) Links Contact the organisation Opens in new window Website Opens in new window EU contribution € 221 606,40
