Objective
Benthic diatoms are widely used as water quality indicators because they respond rapidly, sensitively and species-specifically to environmental change. However, deducing ecological tolerances from field observations relies on correlations, assumes that the most abundant taxa are growing optimally, and ignores covariance between environmental variables. Only experimental investigations can determine the effect of a particular factor on species growth.
Species delimitation in Nitzschia species is often problematic. Many species are small, and there is often considerable inherent morphological variation with size change. Other variation may be environmentally induced. Because many Nitzschia species are used as indicators of organic pollution in water quality assessments, it is important that they can be identified reliably. Therefore, the objectives of the project are: to clarify the taxonomy of N.
frustulum and N. palea using original material in the NHM; to determine the intrinsic and environmentally-induced morphological variation of N. frusutum and N. palea; to determine their ecological tolerances and optima, and to refine diatom indices that incorporate these species. Clones will be isolated and grown under a range of controlled conditions to determine intrinsic and environmentally induced variation, and to determine tolerances and optima for salinity, nutrients and organic pollution. Genetic variation between clones (intra- and inter-specific) will be assessed using allozyme electrophoresis. Based on the results, species diagnoses and ecological tolerances will be revised. Working at the NHM will provide advanced training in diatom culture techniques, diatom systematics and molecular techniques. My previous research on diatoms has been observational field ecology.
Experimental studies can test field hypotheses. I regard this complementarity as essential to developing a more rigorous approach to diatom ecology and to furthering my research career
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
- natural sciences biological sciences ecology
- natural sciences earth and related environmental sciences environmental sciences pollution
- natural sciences chemical sciences electrochemistry electrophoresis
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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
LONDON
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.