Objective
The export of organic matter from the surface zone into the ocean interior is critically dependent on the specific phytoplankton taxa and their cell size. Thus, it is crucial to understand which factors select these ecological traits.
Consistently with Mar galef's thesis, experimental works indicate that diatoms outcompete other eukaryotic phytoplankton when frequent, highly turbulent conditions are punctuated by short periods of water column stability. In contrast, dinoflagellates and coccolithophorids dominate in more stable environments characterised by low nutrient supplies.
On the other hand, low nutrient concentrations are regarded as an important evolutionary force that select against large phytoplankton species in marine pelagic ecosystems. This probably accounts for the paucity of large phytoplankton in oligotrophic environments, whereas an increase in total phytoplankton biomass is commonly accompanied by an increase in the contribution of larger cells.
On the background stated above, this proposal focuses on two main hypotheses:
- nutrient composition and supply determine the taxonomic composition and size structure of the phytoplankton assemblages, and
- large-scale patterns of phytoplankton distribution are governed by simple, physiological mechanisms operating at the individual level.
To address these hypotheses:
- we will conduct 'simple' competition experiments using three-taxa, two size and mixed culture assemblage, and
- we will perform large-scale ecological analyses aimed at establishing overall patterns in the distribution of phytoplankton individuals and species in the sea.
Recent work highlights the relevance of experimentally derived data to the analysis and understanding of large-scale ecological patterns. Ultimate, our purpose is to connect phytoplankton physiology and ecology, derived from laboratory experiments, with large-scale ecological patterns.
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 palaeontology biostratigraphy
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry inorganic compounds
- natural sciences chemical sciences inorganic chemistry alkaline earth metals
- natural sciences biological sciences evolutionary biology
- natural sciences biological sciences botany
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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.
FP6-2005-MOBILITY-6
See other projects for this call
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.
OIF - Marie Curie actions-Outgoing International Fellowships
Coordinator
VIGO
Spain
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.