Abstract

Understanding the extent of animal mortality, the where and when mortality occurs, is paramount to implement effective conservation actions and secure the persistence of animal populations. Unfortunately, so far our understanding of animal survival (which is the inverse of mortality) is very limited, even for well-studied species such as vultures. Project SURVIVALIST has the ambitious objective of filling this knowledge gap for three European vultures (Griffon, Cinereous and Bearded vulture). Based on a large collaborative network, SURVIVALIST collated a uniquely large dataset (including >1400 vulture individuals across the three species) of high-resolution vulture tracking data. These data are analysed using novel approaches to quantify survival in time across the species annual cycle (e.g. during the breeding and non-breeding season) and life-stages (juvenile, immature, adults; Objective 1). Survival variation for each species is then mapped across space by integrating survival modeling with space use from the tracking data, to identify hotspots of vulture mortality (Objective 2).

Invitation to Ph.D. Thesis Defence

Ph.D. thesis title: Individual Circadian Behaviour Variation in Wild Fish: Global Assessment, Environmental-Related effects, and Socio-Ecological Consequences.

Ph.D. Student: Martina Martorell, Department of Marine Ecology, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB)

Supervisor: Dr Josep Alós, Department of Marine Ecology, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB)

The defence will take place on monday February, 5^th at 11:00 at Sala de Grados B, Edificio Jovellanos, Universidad de les Illes Balears (UIB)

Abstract:

This thesis aims to comprehensively investigate the existence of chronotypes across different fish species and examines how environmental factors modulate them using cutting-edge fish tracking technologies. The thesis first investigates the presence of chronotypes in free-living fish species, clearly identifying these individual temporal patterns in several marine species. Fish behavior is known to be influenced by environmental factors. However, individuals within the same population can exhibit different responses to environmental gradients, referred to as behavioral reaction norms. Subsequently, the thesis describes a large-scale tracking experiment conducted to explore how those environmental gradients affect the expression of chronotypes in the pearly razorfish, Xyrichtys novacula. Behavioral traits typically covary, forming behavioral syndromes, yet few studies have explored chronotype-personality syndromes. This thesis proposes a novel methodological approach that combines laboratory and field experiments to quantitatively assess both classical and circadian-related behavioral traits in the pearly razorfish. Finally, it is well-established today that fishing exerts selective pressures on fish behavior. The final chapter of this thesis proposes a modeling approach to investigate whether exploitation by fishing may lead to directional selection on fish chronotypes. This PhD thesis introduces the field of marine eco-chronobiology, bridging gaps among three traditionally distinct disciplines: marine ecology, fisheries science, and chronobiology.

Link to zoom:

postgrau.uib.es/doctor.....tente

Abstract

In rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ) aquaculture a significant portion of the fish die (around 10%) or experience growth stunting (GS; around 10%), which represents an important profitability and welfare issue. In the presented study, we aimed at characterising the GS phenotype in seawater-transferred rainbow trout using untargeted and targeted molecular biology methods, discovering the implication of a variety of pathways. During this talk, each method used will be explained in detail, showcasing the capabilities of each one.

Asbtract

Seagrass meadows provide essential ecosystem functions and services. They serve as nursery habitats for fish, and the structural complexity is a key factor influencing this function. Despite their ecological importance, seagrasses are being degraded worldwide at an alarming rate, leading to a significant loss of habitat structure. In response to this trend, restoration projects have been developed in recent years, aiming to recover both habitat structure and associated functions We assessed the recovery of habitat structure and the associated nursery function within a restored Posidonia oceanica meadow. Additionally, we conducted habitat selection experiments with two species, Diplodus annularis and Symphodus tinca, to evaluate if they actively select seagrass habitats based on structural complexity. Our results revealed that, despite the presence of some fish species in the restored area, neither the structural complexity nor the nursery function had fully recovered. In the choice experiments, both species exhibited a clear affinity for seagrass habitats over unvegetated areas, demonstrating their ability to actively selected habitats based on visual cues. However, the response in occupancy patterns to increasing seagrass complexity was species-specific.Understanding how juvenile fish respond to changes in seagrass habitat features is crucial for quantifying the nursery service provision and for identifying effective measures to accelerate the restoration process.

Amb motiu de la celebració de la Diada de les Illes Balears, es durà a terme una sèrie d'entrevistes a diferents investigadors de les Balears, entre ells, a Jorge Terrados, de l'IMEDEA. A continuació, us deixem el programa complet:

Divulgació de la recerca sobre Posidonia oceànica

Dia: 2 de març de 2024

Lloc: Carpa Govern a Parc de la Mar

Presenta i modera: Enric Culat

12h: Nona Sheila Agawin (UIB)

Temes: ecologia de Posidonia oceànica; ecologia de microorganismes associats a Posidonia oceanica que tenen funcions importants (pe fixadors de nitrogen); l'efecte dels factors del canvi climàtic (canvis de temperatura, CO2 a Posidònia oceànica); l'efecte dels contaminants (plàstics i components de cremes solars) sobre P. oceanica i microogranismes associats.

12:15h Jorge Terrados (IMEDEA)

Temes: Una investigació de l’IMEDEA i altres centres de recerca aplica un nou enfocament més eficient a través de models matemàtics de simulació i l'anàlisi de xarxes de connexió per avançar així en la comprensió de la Posidònia oceànica i poder restaurar-la. L'impacte que té la pèrdua de les praderies de posidònia a la biodiversitat local. El paper específic de la Posidònia oceànica a l'ecosistema marí de les Pitiuses. Els avenços tecnològics i les eines innovadores que s'estan utilitzant per monitoritzar i estudiar les praderies de posidònia. Els beneficis econòmics i socials de conservar les praderies de posidònia a Mallorca a llarg termini. La forma per involucrar els sectors turístic i empresarial en la conservació de les praderies de posidònia a Mallorca.

12:30h Damià Gomila (IFISC)

Temes: Un nou estudi impulsat des de l'IFISC i altres centres de recerca mostra que els patrons espacials a les praderies de posidònia, com la Posidònia oceànica, es poden explicar per la interacció del creixement de la posidònia i la reflexió de les onades oceàniques. Els investigadors proposen que aquest mecanisme podria millorar la capacitat d’aquests ecosistemes costaners per reflectir l’energia de les onades, protegint així les costes d’inundacions i de l’erosió. Els autors creuen que la formació de patrons espacials permet que les praderies de posidònia reflecteixin més fortament l'energia de les onades entrants. Això afegeix al seu valor com a formes naturals de protecció costanera contra l’augment del poder de les onades oceàniques induït pel canvi global. Aquest estudi emfatitza encara més la necessitat de protegir aquests crucials ecosistemes costaners, i podria inspirar els gestors costaners a emprar millor les praderies de posidònia com a defenses contra inundacions basades en la natura.

12:45h Joaquim Tintoré (SOCIB)

Temes: Les simulacions numèriques i les capacitats de predicció de corrents del SOCIB i les noves oportunitats dels bessons digitals de l'oceà. Les seves moltes aplicacions, des de temes operacionals com l'optimització del rescat de nàufrags que realitza el SOCIB amb SASEMAR, fins a les rissages amb AEMET i PortsIB. La conservació de la Posidònia oceànica. Una investigació del SOCIB i altres centres de recerca aplica un nou enfocament més eficient a través de models matemàtics de simulació i l'anàlisi de xarxes de connexió per avançar així en la comprensió de la Posidònia oceànica i poder restaurar-la. El disseny d'Àrees Marines Protegides. El paper de l'oceà al canvi climàtic, els canvis en la circulació de retorn meridional de l'Atlàntic (AMOC).

13:00h a 13:20h: Tertúlia amb tots els participants.   Tema:  la necessitat de fer arribar a la societat la divulgació que se fa sobre recerca marina, conservació dels oceans, sostenibilitat...

Abstract

Warming can have dramatic effects on plant phenology and reproduction, with important consequences for reproductive output, plant survivorship, or species dispersal. In seagrasses, vegetative growth through clonal expansion is generally the dominant strategy for meadow maintenance, expansion and recovery, with sexual reproduction strongly differing amongst species, being rare for some, and some times associated with disturbance. Even rarer is the occurrence of pseudovivipary, an uncommon phenomenon in the plant realm, which has only been reported twice before in the marine environment as highly localized phenomena associated with environmental stress. Pseudovivipary is an asexual reproduction strategy whereby plantlets replace sexual reproductive structures, leading to the maintenance of the maternal clones. In summer of 2022, the Mediterranean Sea underwent unprecedented warming, and, associated with it, we observed extensive flowering (100% of sites) as well as pseudovivipary across numerous (>85 % of 36 sites) Posidonia oceanica meadows along the Balearic Islands. Our results support the notion that P. oceanica flowering is triggered under high warming but also, and importantly, this is the first time ever that pseudovivipary is reported across so many locations in a marine plant, and the fate of these plantlets is being monitored by assessing development, survivorship and dispersal through time. Considering the negative impacts that warming can have on seagrass ecosystems, the discovery of widespread pseudovivipary is a critical aspect to consider for understanding mechanisms of resilience in seagrasses.

TREC: a scientific voyage to address environmental challenges

Dr Kiley West Seitz - EMBL

TREC (TRaversing European Coastlines) is the European Molecular Biological Laboratory’s flagship Scientific expedition to study coastal ecosystems at molecular level. The expedition studies coastal regions which are known for their extremely rich biodiversity and plays a critical role in the stability and sustainability of ecosystems at planetary scale. These ecosystems are drastically affected by global changes & local human impacts making the study of them critical to understanding the climate crisis. For the TREC expedition, we employ a holistic cross sectional sampling approach along the land-sea gradient using highly standardized protocols. This systematic approach allows us to study the coastal ecosystems at the molecular level across pollution gradients, organismal scales, life complexity and time scales. 

The TREC expedition started in April 2023 and is expected to last until end of July 2024. During that time, the researchers will be gathering biological samples and environmental data along the European coastline at more than 120 land-sea transects. Mallorca is one of the sampling sites of the expedition, and IMEDEA is hosting and supporting the TREC team during their campaign on the island.

As part of this seminar you will learn about the project and you will visit the traveling labs parked at IMEDEA.

Asbtract

Innovación a través de Datos: Bienvenida al Data Lab" tiene como objetivo presentar el Data Lab del IMEDEA, un nuevo servicio diseñado para apoyar a nuestros equipos de investigación mediante el análisis avanzado de datos y la Inteligencia Artificial. En esta sesión, exploraremos las motivaciones detrás de la creación del Data Lab, detallaremos los servicios y prestaciones que ofrece, y compartiremos ejemplos concretos de proyectos en los que el Data Lab ya está marcando una diferencia significativa. Además, proporcionaremos información sobre cómo los investigadores pueden acceder a estos recursos y colaborar con nosotros para potenciar sus investigaciones.

Link to the video here

Asbtract

Geothermal energy is the cleanest and the most reliable source of renewable energy when compared to other options like solar or wind. From lighting up 5 bulbs in Italy in 1904, electricity generation from geothermal energy sources has come a long way to a total capacity of 16,355 MW (0.5% of total) by the end of 2023, most of which coming from hydrothermal reservoirs. In order to accelerate the scaling of electricity generation, Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) in non-volcanic areas need to be developed. Creating these EGS requires enhancing the permeability of natural fractures through a process called hydraulic stimulation. A natural outcome of this process is microseismicity (usually Mw<2), but in a few occasions, there have been earthquakes of greater magnitude (e.g., Mw 3.4 and Mw 5.5 at Basel (Switzerland) and Pohang (Korea Republic), respectively) which were very disturbing and ended up with project cancellation. Hydraulic stimulation operations are usually designed making use of a scaling law which states that the maximum magnitude of induced earthquakes is linearly proportional to the total volume of water injected into the system. Our numerical studies on hydraulic stimulation in EGS show that the injection protocol has a stronger contribution to the maximum magnitude earthquake over the total volume of injected water.

Cuenta cuentos científico para peques: Celebramos Sant Jordi en la Biblioteca Municipal de Esporles

Entrega de premios de los proyectos ganadores del certamen "Ocean Odyssey Challenge” del proyecto Ocean Night. 

Abstract

Sunlight drives virtually all life on the Earth’s surface, with about 50% of primary productivity occurring in marine systems. Yet, this traditional view of phototrophy changed radically with the discovery of marine bacterial rhodopsins (i.e., proteorhodopsins; PR), over twenty years ago. PRs are simple light-driven proton pumps present in over 80% of surface bacterioplankton, which allow them to transform light into biochemical energy.

Combining culture-based physiology studies with (meta)-genomics, (meta)-transcriptomics, and environmental quantifications we are just starting to understand the role that PR-based photoheterotrophy plays in the ocean. In this presentation, I will discuss the knowns and unknowns of PR-phototrophy and what we are starting to learn from looking at its natural distributions in different oceanographic basins, ranging from extreme ultraoligotrophic regions to high productivity environments

INTERNATIONAL VISITING SCHOLAR PROGRAMME (IVSP)

Abstract

Seagrass meadows and the services they provide are declining worldwide as a result of human perturbations. Along the Swedish W coast, almost 60% of the seagrass has been lost since the 1980's, representing a loss of approximately 190 km2 of seagrass. The seagrass Zostera marina, L. (eelgrass) is the dominant macrophyte on soft bottoms along the Swedish coast. The decrease in seagrass worldwide has lead to many restoration programs but their success rate is very low due to the regime shift and feedback mechanisms that also prevent natural recovery.

This presentation aims to provide a review on the restoration successes and challenges on eelgrass in Sweden. For example, positive feedbacks generated by water turbidity due to sediment resuspension, drifting macroalga covering eelgrass transplants and the presence of eelgrass predators such as shore crabs have been identified as causes affecting restoration success. To overcome these issues, restoration techniques using sand-capping have shown to be successful to reintroduce eelgrass in areas where it was lost. An interdisciplinary approach using field and laboratory experiments linked with hydrodynamical modeling showed to be key to understand the complex coastal ecological dynamics.

In addition, new methods to monitor coastal habitats such as seagrass meadows and marine mammals (dugongs and seals) using aerial drones and machine learning will be presented. These new technologies can contribute to faster data collection and data analysis for ecological studies and to provide relevant information to coastal managers and decision makers working on ecological conservation.

Bio

Eduardo Infantes is a researcher at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, where he leads the Seagrass Ecology Lab research group  based at Kristineberg marine station. With a focus on seagrass ecology over the last 18 years, his main interests are in 1) studying interactions between fluid dynamics and marine vegetation through field data, mesocosm experiments and flume studies, 2) restoration of coastal habitat using seagrass within the interdisciplinary ZORRO group, and 3) monitoring of seagrass beds and marine mammals (e.g. harbor seals, manatees, and dugongs) using drones and AI. With an interdisciplinary profile, he collaborates in research and management, contributing to environmental policies in coastal restoration and monitoring.

Abstract

The animal gut hosts diverse bacterial communities that can affect the individual’s behavior, physiology, and metabolism. However, the relationship between an individual’s microbiome and its social behavior in the wild is poorly understood. We tested the hypothesis that social behavior in the wild is correlated with the gut microbiome composition in a marine fish (Xyrichtys novacula). Relying on high-resolution acoustic telemetry, we first obtained a high-quality positioning data set from 232 individuals (153 females and 79 males). From these data, we computed the associations between paired individuals and found a harem-like social structure. Territories were formed by one male and several females, and males displayed agonistic behaviors towards their neighbors to defend territories. Subsequently, a sample of the social network was captured, and the diversity of the gut microbiome was quantified using operational phylogenetic units (OPUs) based on the analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons using Illumina high throughput sequencing. The social network properties were strongly correlated to the gut microbiome. Individual microbiome samples of fish from the same harem (including from different sex) were more similar to each other, while differences to other harems were strong. The use of similar local microhabitats, including food resources, as well as local social contact can both provide key transmission pathways for gut symbionts that shape gut microbiota, structuring the microbiome along social networks in aquatic animals. This work is among the first to show a relationship between social structure and the microbiome in a fish species in the wild. Further work is needed to reveal cause-and-effect relationships into whether the social network shapes the microbiome or the microbiome and the resulting metabolites shape certain behaviors that in turn create the network structure.

You4Blue - Young Generations for Sustainable Blue Growth es un proyecto Erasmus+ dirigido a estudiantes de secundaria en tres islas mediterráneas de la UE, con el objetivo de aumentar la conciencia sobre los desafíos ambientales y proporcionar herramientas para una vida sostenible. El proyecto fomenta una nueva relación con el medio ambiente, desarrolla competencias en áreas STEAM y TIC, y promueve habilidades blandas como la empatía y el pensamiento crítico.

En el marco de este proyecto, el “Sea Curriculum” promueve la participación de estudiantes locales en experiencias prácticas relacionadas con los ecosistemas y las ciencias marinas. Este componente está coordinado por IMEDEA en colaboración con IES Bendinat, con el objetivo de desarrollar e implementar estas actividades de aprendizaje. Una de las actividades consiste en que los estudiantes elijan una temática de investigación y preparen una presentación, la cual será expuesta en IMEDEA.

Comprender y mitigar la acidificación de los océanos

AUTORES: Gemma Semley-Dyne, Fiona Martina Torres Cruz, Manoela Tsvetanova Manolova, Marc Reynes Garcia, Amelia Moral Blanco, Vlada Stashkevych.

¿Es posible un turismo sostenible en Mallorca?

AUTORES: Marcos Merino Sierra, Amadou Sall, Toni Matias Castell, Daniel Sander Gassner, Diego Bertorelli Carmona

Praderas de Posidonia: ante una nueva extinción?

AUTORES: Fernando Blanes, Hugo Gonzalez, Noelia Navarro, Alicia Catalá, Andrea Thyus, Lily Ron

Abstract

Posidonia oceanica meadows have suffered a global regression in the Mediterranean Sea during the last decades. In order to counter this decline, some restoration projects have relied on the use of seedlings as a strategy to accelerate the natural recovery of their meadows and increase genetic diversity. Furthermore, understanding the dynamics and interactions that affect each species and between different organisms are key to enhance restoration success. On this project, we set an experiment in Pollensa Bay (Mallorca, Spain) to study whether P. oceanica seedlings, which had been previously cultured in controlled conditions for three months, improve their survivorship rates at different planting densities (1, 4, 8, 12 and 16 seedlings/0.04 m2). We planted the seedlings in two locations of Pollensa Bay, which presented different substrates: dead matte with marine phanerogams, sand with marine phanerogams and bare sand. Six months after plantation, no density-dependent effect was observed in any of the clumps anywhere. However, an interspecific facilitation effect was noticed for the seedlings planted in sand with other marine phanerogams, as they displayed a 39.27% ± 34.56 average survivorship rate, compared to 0% survivorship on this same substrate without any other seagrass around. Moreover, dead matte remained as the best substrate for restoration purposes, with an average survivorship rate of 57.07% ± 29.92. Our results reinforce the relevance of understanding the ecological interactions between seagrass species in order to increase restoration success, as well as the main factors affecting the survivorship of P. oceanica seedlings in the early stages after establishment in the substrate.

El próximo 4 de julio de 2024 se celebrará en Esporles “ConCiencia Gen Z: el reto de la transición ecológica”, el tercer encuentro de la serie de Think Tanks que organiza el IMEDEA con el objetivo de crear un espacio de debate y reflexión entre agentes sociales y expertos del ámbito científico en torno a temáticas de interés común. Esta nueva edición está especialmente dirigida a la juventud, a quien se busca empoderar y dar voz en el debate sobre el futuro del planeta. En conjunto, se reflexionará sobre el papel de la ciencia en el reto de la transición ecológica, tan necesaria en el contexto “glocal” de emergencia climática y pérdida de biodiversidad.

ConCiencia Gen Z reunirá en el IMEDEA a jóvenes de las Islas Baleares con interés y compromiso hacia la emergencia climática, quienes tendrán la oportunidad, a través de metodologías participativas, de interaccionar de forma directa y constructiva con tomadores de decisiones en distintos ámbitos de la administración pública, además de personal científico experto. El objetivo es analizar colectivamente algunos de los retos ambientales que afrontamos como sociedad y de valorar cómo la ciencia puede contribuir a mejorar la comprensión y la gestión de los problemas urgentes e importantes.

Durante la jornada, se abordarán temas cruciales como la comunicación de la ciencia, las perspectivas de futuro y la evidencia científica ante la crisis climática. El conjunto de participantes contribuirá con sus ideas, conocimientos y experiencias, conformando un espacio dinámico y enriquecedor en el que se fomentará el diálogo y la colaboración.

Este evento está dirigido a jóvenes de 18 a 26 años, gestores y tomadores de decisiones de diferentes ámbitos de la administración pública y personal investigador en el inicio de su carrera científica. 

Asbtract

Beaches play a crucial role in protecting coastlines from wave energy, acting as the final barrier against coastal erosion. Sandy beaches are particularly susceptible to climate change effects, such as sea level rise and storminess. Understanding the dynamics of these environments amid ongoing changes is essential for designing effective adaptation measures and management strategies. However, the various factors influencing beach morphodynamics, coupled with their dynamic nature, render the integrated monitoring of these areas both resource-intensive and challenging in terms of time, human involvement, and economic resources. Therefore, long-term and high-frequency data-sets, including morphological and wave data, remain scarce in the literature. In this talk, I will present the preliminary results of the analysis of the Son Bou Beach (Menorca, Spain) data-set, with over 13 years (2011-2023) measurements, generated by the Modular Beach Integral Monitoring Systems (MOBIMS) from the Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (SOCIB). The analysis focuses on characterizing the mid and short-term response of Son Bou beach by means of the shoreline position-change detection. A negative trend in beach width was observed, as well as different responses along the beach. The presence of a coastal lagoon and its opening periods have a significant impact on the beach behavior.

Abstract

Over the past 30 years, satellite-based radar altimetry has revolutionized the measurement of sea level changes on global and regional scales. However, conventional altimeters, designed primarily for open-ocean observations, face significant challenges in coastal zones, particularly within 20 km of the shoreline, where radar signals are contaminated by land reflections. This limitation has impeded precise monitoring of coastal sea level variations, which are crucial for understanding local coastal processes and assessing risks to coastal communities. The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) mission, developed by NASA and CNES, represents a breakthrough in coastal sea level observation. Equipped with the innovative Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn), SWOT offers unprecedented high-resolution (2 km) sea surface height (SSH) measurements across a two-dimensional swath, enabling detailed analysis of coastal sea level dynamics. Furthermore, SWOT's high-resolution SSH mapping enables the detection of extreme coastal sea level events, such as storm surges, providing a novel tool for monitoring and characterizing the processes involved in these phenomena. This project evaluates SWOT's performance in coastal regions by comparing it against tide gauges, ERA5 reanalysis weather model and SCHISM ocean circulation model. This study has the potential to significantly advance our understanding of coastal processes and improve monitoring efforts for extreme events, with a focus on its capacity to detect storm surges, driven by strong winds and low atmospheric pressure during intense weather events like tropical cyclones and extratropical storms which cause abrupt and significant rises in sea level along coastlines.

Visita del DG d’Universitats, Recerca i Ensenyaments Artístics Superiors a l’IMEDEA

Dimarts, 24 de setembre de 2024, a les 09.30 h -  IMEDEA, Esporles

Assistents

Dr. Sebastian Massanet, DG d’Universitats, Recerca i Ensenyaments Artístics Superiors del GOIB

Dra. Salud Deudero, Delegada del CSIC a les Illes Balears

Dr. Jaume Carot, Rector de la UIB

Dr. Gotzon Besterrechea, director de l’IMEDEA

Dra. Marta Marcos, vicedirectora de l’IMEDEA

Dr. Idan Tuval, vicedirector de l’IMEDEA

Abstract

Understanding the 3D dynamics of meso- and submesoscale ocean structures (10–100 km) remains a critical challenge in oceanography. These small-scale eddies, vital to the global climate system, regulate heat balance and transport key elements like salt, carbon, and nutrients. Current methodologies integrate multi-platform in-situ data, remote sensing, and high-resolution model simulations to study these features. However, conventional satellite Sea Surface Height (SSH) measurements struggle to detect smaller currents and eddies. The launch of the SWOT (Surface Water and Ocean Topography) satellite in 2022 represents a breakthrough, offering higher-resolution SSH observations that provide unprecedented insights into ocean dynamics. During SWOT's validation phase in April and May 2023, we conducted two oceanographic campaigns to monitor a small anticyclonic eddy (~12.5 km radius) in the Western Mediterranean Sea. Our study aimed to analyze the eddy's vertical structure using in-situ data and assess SWOT’s capability to detect it. Glider observations revealed the eddy as an intrathermocline feature, and SWOT successfully captured the associated sea level and geostrophic currents, showing significant improvement over conventional altimetry. This study underscores SWOT's ability to resolve both submesoscale and mesoscale structures and highlights the value of integrating satellite and multi-platform data for comprehensive oceanographic insights.

Abstract

A long history of ecological research in vegetated coastal ecosystems supports the blue carbon concept, which refers to the carbon stored in mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows. The combination of high plant productivity, slow decomposition, sediment accumulation, and unique soil characteristics makes these ecosystems efficient carbon sinks. Under the current climate change scenario, their importance has grown significantly, becoming central to several climate policies at both local and global scales and a key component in implementing natural climate solutions. Yet, global blue carbon accounting is incomplete, with major gaps in southern hemisphere data. It also shows large variability, suggesting that the interaction between environmental and biological drivers is important at the local scale. In this seminar, I will present our findings exploring the biological and environmental factors that determine blue carbon stocks in the southwest Atlantic salt marshes. We identify that the impact of burrowing crabs, along with the identity of the dominant plant species, accretion rates, and granulometry, are the main factors in determining organic carbon stocks. These results help fill a major gap in blue carbon data for southern hemisphere salt marshes and contribute to understanding the ecological mechanisms behind them.

Abstract

In the context of global warming, seagrass species exhibit various adaptive responses to rising temperatures, including the migration to deeper (cooler) areas. However, moving to deeper habitats does not only result in reaching lower temperatures, but also to be exposed other critical environmental factors that vary with depth. For instance, light availability decreases with depth, which can impact the metabolism of primary producers, and constrain their depth distribution. Previous research has modelled seagrass distribution based on lethal thermal limits under optimal light conditions. Other studies have projected a future vertical habitat contraction of seagrass meadows assuming similar thermal tolerance across water depth. Nevertheless, the interaction between light and temperature requires further investigation, as they may interact and impact the thermal performance of the organism, including their thermal thresholds, and consequently, their vertical distribution. To investigate this interaction, we conduced mesocosms experiments using the three seagrass species (Cymodocea nodosa, Posidonia oceanica and Zostera noltei) present in the Mediterranean Sea. Thermal performance curves were used to assess the seagrass growth, survival and metabolic rates at varying light intensity, which was used as a proxy for depth. Understanding the interaction between environmental factors, such as light intensity and temperature, on performance and thermal thresholds is crucial for enhancing predictions regarding vertical distribution of species and developing effective conservation strategies for marine ecosystems under climate change scenarios.

Abstract

Subsurface uncertainty poses a serious difficulty in deploying geo-energy applications, owing to its complexity and our limited access to it. Reducing such uncertainty is essential to enhance the reliability of simulation results that define safe operating conditions. Ground deformation analysis is capable of contributing to reducing subsurface uncertainty. For example, a double-lobe ground deformation shape revealed a vertical fault zone at depth in the CO2 storage project at In Salah, Algeria. The aim of this work is to outline a process for reducing subsurface uncertainty by correlating subsurface characteristics with ground deformation data. The workflow begins with training of a supervised gradient boosting-based machine learning regression model that predicts ground deformation caused by reservoir pressurization.  We utilize a verified analytical solution (Wu, Rutqvist, and Vilarrasa, 2024) to assess ground displacement in response to pressurization of a reservoir intersected by either an impermeable or permeable fault to train the machine learning model. The instantaneous solution provided by the analytical solution enables us to generate an extensive dataset for training the model, encompassing fault and reservoir geometry as well as mechanical properties and operation conditions, i.e., reservoir pressurization. Simultaneously, principal component analysis and a simplified parametric space analysis are also performed. The results indicate that the pore pressure buildup and reservoir depth have the most significant impact on ground displacement. This study highlights that an appropriately trained machine learning model can effectively predict ground deformation and provide valuable information about the corresponding subsurface characteristics.

Abstract

In the Western Mediterranean Sea, vast extensions of rhodolith beds hold significant ecological value. These habitats are composed of free-living species of red coralline algae which are ecosystem engineers. The calcareous composition of rhodolith species makes them susceptible to climate change impacts, mainly to seawater acidification. Mediterranean rhodolith beds are multispecific habitats found from 60 up to 100 m below the surface, a deeper distribution that likely provides a more stable environment with fewer fluctuations in warming. However, there are gaps of knowledge on the responses of this multi-specific habitat to different disturbances. In this regard, we have focused on untangle the performance of two genera of rhodoliths along a thermal gradient, specifically of Lithothamium spp. and Phymatholiton spp. Measurements of dissolved oxygen and total alkalinity during the experiment allowed the calculation of metabolic rates. The thermal patterns and optimal temperatures for metabolic rates displayed by both genera were similar. These genera inhabit areas with mean yearly temperatures of 15°C and little temperature variation. However, both genera seem to be acclimated to a warmer range of temperature. Our findings suggest that Mediterranean rhodoliths genera are likely to cope with ocean warming.

Abstract

Ocean pollution is becoming a bigger and bigger problem with time.  To mitigate, manage and reduce this, it is important to understand the paths different types of pollution will follow in the Ocean.   Understanding ocean dynamics, namely ocean currents, is thus very important to determine the pathways of different pollutants.  The world's ocean currents have the potential to transport material like plastic over global scales, connecting continents, but the sources and sinks of that pollution have also been found to be sometimes very local.  Different oceanic scales affect these pathways, and thanks to new data we can start to understand how finer-scale process are affecting larger-scale ones. In this seminar, I will present the work I carried out during my previous postdoc as part of the parcels team at Utrecht University (The Netherlands), where we use ocean physics to understand different aspects of marine pollution in very different regions from the Netherlands to different areas of the Pacific Ocean like Japan.  The main tool we use for our Lagrangian ocean analysis simulations is the OceanParcels tool, which is open software. I will close by highlighting the importance of Open Science and the role this has in our research.

On Wednesday, March 26, the IMEDEA will host the European Space Science Committee (ESSC) Earth Science Panel meeting, with the participation of Marta Marcos. The ESSC plays a key role in shaping European space science policies by setting scientific priorities. This in-person working meeting will bring together six participants at IMEDEA, plus four joining online.

El miércoles 5 de marzo, a las 11:00 h, únete a nuestro directo en YouTube en el que reflexionaremos sobre el artículo "Ten simple rules for a mom-friendly Academia".  

Conectaremos con las autoras del artículo, quienes compartirán datos y experiencias para analizar afirmaciones clave sobre los retos que enfrentan las madres en la academia, de una manera dinámica e interactiva a través de un juego de afirmaciones verdaderas o falsas.