Descrizione del progetto
Comprendere i modi in cui i coralli di mare profondo mantengono le loro scogliere sosterrà la loro protezione
Le barriere coralline di acqua fredda sono enormi biocostruzioni che si sviluppano in complesse interazioni tra i coralli calcificati di acque profonde e l’ambiente circostante, con una ricchezza biologica paragonabile a quella delle barriere coralline tropicali di acque basse. Hanno un ruolo fondamentale nel mantenimento dell’elevata biodiversità nell’oceano profondo e sono considerate ecosistemi marini vulnerabili gravemente minacciati dalle attività umane. Il progetto HABISS, finanziato dall’UE, si propone di quantificare le interazioni multiscala tra la geomorfologia delle barriere coralline di acqua fredda e l’idrodinamica circostante che regola l’approvvigionamento di cibo e ossigeno per la loro crescita e difesa. La valutazione delle barriere coralline intatte e di quelle colpite dall’uomo informerà i responsabili decisionali incaricati dell’attuazione delle politiche ambientali di proteggere le acque profonde, considerate l’ecosistema più sconosciuto e vulnerabile del nostro pianeta.
Obiettivo
Cold water coral (CWC) are fragile biodiversity hotspots in the deep-sea and are recognized as Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems, heavily endangered by human activities (e.g. industrial fisheries, marine littering). HABISS proposes a multidisciplinary approach to study the interactive processes between the seafloor complexity of specific geo-forms (canyons, reefs) and the surrounding ceanographic/hydrodynamic paterns, and quantify the consequent maintainence mechanisms on CWC, both in pristine and human-impacted settings. These innovative studies (geology vs hydrodynamics vs. ecology), still relying on poor information, will be implemented across interconnected spatial scales, using from regional oceanographic data to in situ observations with cutting-edge seafloor observatories. Final outcomes will be ultimately delivered to support decision makers in the management of marine natural resources. HABISS will be carried out at the Marine Science Institute of the Spanish National Research Council, which together with two secondments will ensure high level training on integrated studies of hydro- and sedimentary dynamics, environmental advocacy, project management and transversal aspects within the European network. I will also provide training based on my skills on developing cross-cutting research topics, previously gained at the National Oceanography Centre (UK), a top-ranked European research institute. Specific dissemination and communication actions are planned in line with the public engagement policies of the EU Responsible Research and Innovation. HABISS will ensure the restart of my career, resuming my activities within the wide scale European network on Marine Sciences. At the end of the project, the acquired knowledge would re-enforce my scientific profile, further widening its multidisciplinary aspect. This would finally increase my chances for applying for permanent research positions and for funding within highly competitive European calls (e.g. ERC grants).
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MSCA-IF - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowships (IF)Coordinatore
28006 Madrid
Spagna