Description du projet
De nouveaux outils pour la gestion des ressources marines
Les outils obsolètes de gestion de nos océans, mers et côtes peinent à appréhender la complexité de nos écosystèmes marins. Des chercheurs ont récemment découvert que le phytoplancton et le microzooplancton se livrent à une danse fascinante, la «mixotrophie». Au sein d’une seule cellule, ils fusionnent harmonieusement la photosynthèse végétale et l’activité de consommation animale, brisant ainsi le clivage simpliste du passé. Le projet MixITiN, financé par l’UE, aborde le problème crucial des outils obsolètes de gestion de nos océans, mers et côtes. Les approches actuelles reposent sur une division simpliste entre phytoplancton et microzooplancton qui néglige la réalité complexe des écosystèmes marins. MixITiN formera un groupe de chercheurs en début de carrière issus de divers domaines, afin de renforcer leurs capacités et d’améliorer la gestion de nos précieux environnements marins.
Objectif
The conceptual basis upon which management tools for our oceans, seas and coasts have operated are out-of-date. MixITiN will train an innovative team of early stage researchers (ESRs) to develop and deploy new methodologies for researching, monitoring and managing our marine environment according to the recently revised paradigm for marine pelagic production. Current management tools and policies operate within a paradigm that builds on a simple division functioning at the base of the food chain leading to fisheries, between ”plant-like” phytoplankton and their main consumers, the microzooplankton. Applicants of the research programme MixITiN have shown that this plant-animal paradigm represents at the least a gross simplification, if not a falsehood. The revised paradigm recognises that most phytoplankton and half the microzooplankton combine plant-like photosynthesis with animal-like consumer activity within the one cell. This form of nutrition, “mixotrophy”, supports the growth of organisms important for food chains and biogeochemical cycles removing atmospheric CO2; they are also causative agents of harmful algal blooms. In consequence of this revised paradigm, laboratory and field research approaches, management policies and allied computer modelling tools, are arguably no longer fit for purpose. MixITiN brings together European world-class research and training centres from 9 different countries, with skillsets from molecular biology, physiology and computer modelling, to marine and coastal zone management, public and media engagement. MixITiN will train ESRs in multinational and multidisciplinary centres of excellence, with intersectoral engagement enabling them to gain employment in various sectors such as consultancy, government, academic, or allied industries. The synergy of training approaches provided to the ESRs will raise their capabilities and progress science beyond the current state-of-the-art to enable improved management of marine resources.
Champ scientifique
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbiological behavioural sciencesethologybiological interactions
- natural sciencescomputer and information sciencessoftwaresoftware applicationssimulation software
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesbotany
- natural sciencesmathematicsapplied mathematicsmathematical model
Programme(s)
Régime de financement
MSCA-ITN-ETN - European Training NetworksCoordinateur
CF24 0DE Cardiff
Royaume-Uni