Why it this research important?
Our work will aid in understanding the human impact on marine organisms due to climate change, and will help to inform policy on how best to limit these impacts. Many of these species are important habitat formers and hence provide nursing grounds for fishing and stabilising our coastlines.
What you are trying to discover through this research?
The shells and skeletons of marine organisms are crucial to their survival, and perform important tasks such as providing protection from predation. Environmental change may influence the manner in which marine organisms produce these shells or skeletons, which in turn may influence the survivability of different species in the future. Through our research, we are trying to discover whether the structural integrity of these marine organisms will be negatively affected by environmental change, especially ocean acidification. To achieve this, we will take organisms that have been subjected to different environmental conditions in a laboratory, test the strength and chemistry of their shells using novel material science techniques and assess their future vulnerability.
What will the results show?
Our results will help to distinguish ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ under future environmental change; those species that may struggle to survive under predicted conditions in the near future, and those that are more robust and able to cope. This knowledge will form the basis of our understanding of how ecosystem function may change in the future. Many calcifying organisms provide habitats for other species, in particular providing shelter for fish or shellfish larvae, ultimately influencing commercial fishing activities around the UK.
What are your stretch goals if you overfund?
Our work can be readily expanded to incorporate additional species of organisms from the same or other laboratory experiments and a larger set of conditions. A greater number of species allows a more comprehensive study of UK marine ecosystems and how their function and composition may change in the future.
Who are the team involved?
Dr Suzanne Jennions, Dr Daniela Schmidt, Dr Tom Scott, Dr Loren Picco, Dr Nova Mieszkowska (Marine Biological Association of the UK, Plymouth).
When can you start this research?
After reaching the funding goal, research would start immediately.
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Natalie Jonk
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Bertha Jonk
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Anonymous
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Paul Miller
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Anonymous
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Richard Jennions
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anna gorman
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Guy Arthur
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Graeme Salter
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Michael Lewis
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Tom Lane
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Claire Parry
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Claire Parry
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Caroline Whitson
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Anonymous
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Joanna Wardyn
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Melanie Hayes
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Nataliee Jonk
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