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Long-term changes in baltic algal species and ecosystems

Das Projekt "Long-term changes in baltic algal species and ecosystems" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Universität Kiel, Institut für Meereskunde, Abteilung Meeresbotanik durchgeführt. General Information: The most interesting biogeographical aspects of the Baltic are its salinity gradient, which extends from the Atlantic with oceanic salinity down to near fresh water in the inner parts of the Baltic estuary, and its young age, being only about 7.000 years old as a brackish water basin. These characteristics have led to strong selection pressure among the organisms in the Baltic Sea, and therefore the area is especially tractable for testing evolutionary diversification and adaptation. Ecophysiological comparisons between the Atlantic and Baltic sea algae show that morphological and physiological (measured as photosynthetic performance, growth rate and salinity tolerance) variation is widespread among the species. Also genetic differentiation has been found along the salinity gradient with no apparent hybridization along the contact zones. Our aim is to find out, how common the morphological, physiological and genetic adaptation is in the Baltic Sea algae, whether these are linked together, and what is the history behind the adaptive strategies. This will be done by the study of three integrated levels of the benthic algal populations along the salinity gradient. The central objectives will be to establish a comprehensive reference culture collection from the Baltic Sea across the Skagerrak/Kattegat salinity gradient (task 1), to assess the growth, survival and dispersal performance of salinity ecotypes and phylogeny of bio geographic populations (task 2), and finally to explore the genetic diversity in Baltic Sea populations (task 3). Task 1 The baseline culture collections will be established and maintained in the Scandinavian Culture Collection for Algae and Protozoans, University of Copenhagen, and they will include all important species of red, brown and green algae. Task 2. The salinity ecotypes occurring over a range of salinity will be assessed using classical gradient tables. Task 2 and 3. DNA sequencing will be used for assessing cryptic level species and subspecies diversity. Phylogenetic history and distributional patterns will be studies in selected species of Enteromorpha, Ceramium and Fucus, which provides the link between the palaeoclimatic events and the dominant role they have in their present habitats. Information from task 2 and 3 will be used for correlation analyses between ecotypes and population differentiation. The project will be coordinated from University of Copenhagen (Denmark), and partners are University of Groningen (the Netherlands), University of Kiel (Germany), University of Oslo (Norway) and University of Helsinki (Finland). Prime Contractor: Kobenhavns Universitet, Department of Phycology, Botanical Institute; Kobenhavn; Denmark.

Europaeisches gefahrenuebergreifendes Risikoabschaetzungsprojekt

Das Projekt "Europaeisches gefahrenuebergreifendes Risikoabschaetzungsprojekt" wird vom Umweltbundesamt gefördert und von Münchener Rückversicherungs-Gesellschaft durchgeführt. General Information: The aim of the project TEMRAP is to develop an integrated methodology on multi-hazard and global risk assessment, on the basis of different experiences carried out in several European countries on natural disasters. The project will be mainly focused on the identification of natural hazards, profile hazards, evaluate their potential consequences, and mapping/zoning data on a GIS based system. The approach will be undertaken at regional scale in Western Italy (macro zoning) and refined in the urban area of Genoa (micro zoning). These objectives will be achieved by the following steps: - investigating scale of hazard representation for different typologies of natural events and defining a common standard of presentation in order to avoid connection conflicts; - investigating physical and physiographic characters of the territory (e.g. litho logy, topography); developing inventory and susceptibility maps and defining possible triggering factors of the several natural hazards affecting the test areas; - investigating the relationship among different natural hazards (induced hazards) (inventory maps and susceptibility maps and defining possible triggering factors); - developing historical catalogues of natural disasters of the test area; - analysing and modelling climate change effects on frequency and distribution of natural hazards; application will be developed, if possible to susceptibility maps and natural hazard maps; - developing a macro zoning multi-hazard map (expected events in defined return periods at regional scale) by using GIS technology; - developing a micro zoning multi-hazard map (site response) by using GIS technology, for selected element of the case study; - investigating and mapping the environmental consequences of industrial accidents caused by natural hazards (Na-Techs); - identifying and mapping socio-economic exposed elements (e.g. industry; utilities; work force; population; cultural heritage); - identifying and mapping socio-economic/vulnerability factors and severity/vulnerability relationship; - to assess risk in terms of social and economic factors by using GIS technology (at regional scale and at site scale); - developing strategies and options for a sustainable development of the territory reducing the effects of natural disasters (mitigation). With respect to the current state of-the-art above mentioned, this project represents the first European case study considering exhaustively the process of sustainable development of the territory under the light of integrated approach to natural hazards. Understanding natural hazard trends with respect to climate change will also highly contribute to the definition of policies and strategies for ... Prime Contractor: Ente per le Nuove Tecnologie l'Energia e l'Ambiente (ENEA), Dipartimento Ambiente Divisione Catratterizzazione Ambiente e Territorio, Sezione Dinamiche Geologiche del Territorio; Lazio; Italy.

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