Projects / Programmes
January 1, 2009
- December 31, 2014
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.03.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Biology |
|
| 1.06.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Geology |
|
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| 2.15.00 |
Engineering sciences and technologies |
Metrology |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B260 |
Biomedical sciences |
Hydrobiology, marine biology, aquatic ecology, limnology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.06 |
Natural Sciences |
Biological sciences |
coastal marine ecosystems, production, plankton, benthos, biodiversity, marine pollution, biomarkers, ecotoxicology, photochemistry, sedimentary biogeochemistry, circulation, modelling
Researchers (35)
Organisations (1)
| no. |
Code |
Research organisation |
City |
Registration number |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
0105 |
National Institute of Biology |
Ljubljana |
5055784 |
13,296 |
Abstract
Multidisciplinary program aims at integrating approaches of biological, chemical and physical oceanography of coastal sea into research of ecosystem biocomplexity including human dimension. The research includes primary production coupled to taxon-specific plankton biomass and long-term community transformation in relation to main oceanographic driving forces. Tide, wind-driven and high-frequency variations of circulation will be studied particularly in the season when different eutrophication or other harmful phenomena occur (mucilage, HAB, bottom layer oxygen depletion). An automated probe for measurements of delayed luminiscence for in situ qualitative and quantitative characterisation of phytoplankton will be developed. Plankton studies will be completed by research of microbial food web and research of gelatinous zooplankton massive outbreaks, a serious ecological problem in many enclosed seas. Assessment of the trophic status and its changes due to pollution will be complemented by analyses of biomarkers. Impairement of dissolved organic matter degradation has been implied as most important causative factor for development of mucilage accumulations. Photochemical transformations and microbial degradation of organic matter are both important in shallow coastal waters and research into these processes represent important part of our study of biogeochemistry of OM. Benthic studies include biogeochemistry of sediments within seagrass meadows and meiofauna variations in polluted/unpolluted environments. Variations in small coastal ichthyofauna as related to climatic changes complete biodiversity studies. Advances in laboratory methods and modelling will help reaching our research goals and field work using research boat is the backbone of research activities; field data are continuously provided also by Coastal Oceanographic Station (located about 1 mile offshore).
Significance for science
Expanding our knowledge on marine processes and interactions between humans and seas is fundamental for future human welfare. With our research programme we contribute to understanding of structural and functional characteristics of the coastal and semi-enclosed seas. Multidisciplinary approach, application of new methodologies and techniques, and modelling of processes will help elucidating mechanisms and driving forces of coastal ecosystem dynamics including some harmful phenomena (eutrophication, mucilage, massive jellyfish outbursts, pollution and other impacts of anthropogenic activities). Temperate marine environments may be particularly vulnerable to climate changes and with our analyses of the long-term fluctuations of the plankton we contribute to the knowledge on whether climate warming signals are emergent across several trophic levels and functional groups. New methods and techniques help to assess of the role of marine microbes in polluted and unaffected coastal ecosystems. This also contributes to the understanding of biogeochemical cycles in the marine environment and functioning of marine ecosystems. The results will also contribute to the understanding of biogeochemical cycles in the marine environment and functioning of coastal ecosystems.
Significance for the country
The new national and EU marine policy supports the stewardship of marine resources and ecosystem-based management that apply ecological science to natural resource actions. Research carried out within programme assists in the implementation of this concept in the marine environment providing new insights into coastal ecosystem structure and functioning. Research programme contributes to several identified Slovenian priority areas: development of new methodologies (genomic and biotechnological methods), support to international, EU and national efforts to implement environmental objectives for clean, healthy, safe, productive biologically diverse sea and sustainable management; research and development of new technologies with applications in biomedicine, health, capacity building and human resources development in the field of biotechnology. Programme is interdisciplinary including aspects from different disciplines (ecology, physics, molecular biology, biochemistry) with applications in technology. Specifically, research carried out within programme contributes to assessment of dynamics, productivity and degradation of organic matter in polluted (municipal waste waters, riverine inputs, fish farms) and unpolluted marine environment. In the coastal areas, study of benthic habitat types and diversity along with development of assessment methodology seem to be promising biological tools in addition to plankton, chemical indicators and oceanographic parameters. Our results will also be applicable in the field of environmental monitoring and for the development of new remediation technologies. Research of toxic phytoplankton contributes to better management of mussel farms and helps protecting human health. The development of integrated coastal observing systems, merging these systems with data communication and management with modelling facilitates marine assessment and improve our prediction capabilities. We focus on research support for ecosystem-based management, marine observing capabilities and marine forecast. Physical models developed within programme are used for assessment of environmental impacts with application to the main Slovenian Port of Koper and its development. Understanding critical coastal processes and interactions assists to the stewardship and responsible use of the marine environment. Implementation of new findings into the education, outreach and public dissemination activities contributes to marine literacy across all population groups.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2009,
2010,
2011,
2012,
2013,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
