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

Abstract

Marine macrophyte ecosystems are considered as a fundamental habitat throughout the world. However, these communities are seriously threatened by the continuous increase in anthropogenic activities and are highly vulnerable to the pressures derived from global change.

This has led to an increased interest in restoration, and in assessing different factors that may promote their recovery and resilience. In seagrasses, firsts life stages (seeds and seedlings) can be critical when determining the natural recovery of the ecosystem. In this sense, identifying the factors that positively influence the development and establishment of these early stages, particularly considering future stressors, is essential for ecosystem conservation and restoration. The study of microbiome can be a determining factor to understand the functionality and resilience of marine ecosystems. Although the study of seagrass microbiomes is still in its early stages, the beneficial effect of microorganisms has already been described in terrestrial plants, so this study aims to evaluate the influence of microbiome on germination and development of C. nodosa seeds.

To test the hypothesis that the presence of certain microorganisms influences the development of seagrass, a manipulative factorial experiment was carried out in the laboratory using C. nodosa seeds. Six treatments from the interaction between two factors were examined: (1) sterilization (or not) of the seeds and (2) sediment type (sediment from vegetated environments, sediment from non-vegetated environments or artificial sediment). Germination success was strongly influenced by the presence of the seed microbiome, and sediment type (and thus soil microbiome) also influenced germination and seed development. These results are important to understand natural drivers of seagrass germination success and to consider for restoration techniques.

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.

Abstract

The generation and propagation of waves towards the coastal regions during storm events can substantially increase coastal hazards associated with extreme sea levels. While the Mediterranean Sea is characterized by a fetch-limited environment, the progression of extra-tropical cyclones over its surface often engenders powerful waves. As climate numerical models consistently converge towards a global warming climate over the past few decades, the present wave climate is expected to undergo alterations. However, the reliability of the model projections differ among climate variables, exhibiting for instance higher confidence in the temperature than in precipitation variables. This study investigates future changes in the wave climate across the Mediterranean region using an extensive ensemble of wave numerical simulations.

These simulations were forced with wind fields from thirty-one GCM-RCMs (general circulation - regional climate models) of the European Coordinated Regional Climate Downscaling Experiment (EURO-CORDEX), integrating WaveWatch III and SCHISM numerical models. Future changes in the mean and intense (quantile 0.95) wave climate of significant wave height (Hs), peak wave period (Tp), peak wave direction (Dp) are assessed. Furthermore, we evaluate changes in 100-year return levels of Hs toward the end of the century. Extreme events from each GCM-RCM are aggregated into a single coherent distribution, following a bias correction procedure assuming the Cumulative Distribution Function (CDF) of extreme events to adhere to either a parametric Gumbel or Generalized Extreme Value (GEV) CDF, individually for each model. Return levels are then computed by fitting a GEV distribution to the unified distribution for both historical and future periods.

Our findings reveal an intensification of extreme waves towards the end of the century in several areas of the Mediterranean basin. Despite limitations inherent to bias-correction methods and return level computation, our study underscores the contrasting outcomes between analyzing the entire statistical distribution versus focusing solely on the tail, emphasizing the importance of considering both aspects in wave climate projections.

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

Abstract

The ability of marine bacteria to direct their movement in response to chemical gradients influences inter-species interactions, nutrient turnover, and ecosystem productivity. While natural chemical hotspots produce gradients comprised of hundreds to thousands of different chemical compounds, we do not know how this chemical diversity affects the chemotactic responses of bacteria. I will present results from two studies that reveal some unexpected responses when bacteria are exposed to complex chemical mixtures. Using in situ and laboratory-based assays, we show that marine bacteria are strongly attracted to the abundant algal polysaccharide laminarin, but chemotaxis towards this large molecule is enhanced by dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), another ubiquitous algal-derived metabolite. Our results indicate that DMSP acts as a methyl donor for marine bacteria, increasing their gradient detection capacity and facilitating their access to polysaccharide patches. Using a novel chemotaxis choice assay, we then directly expose a model marine bacterium to four potent chemoattractants simultaneously (i.e., one monosaccharide and three amino acids). Although the bacterium is strongly chemotactic to each of these molecules in isolation, when these four molecules are provided simultaneously, the cells exhibit a striking response by swimming towards only one of them. These results start shedding light on the synergistic effects (e.g., laminarin and DMSP) and sharp chemical preferences modulating the behaviours of bacteria.

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

Establishing root systems in rhizome fragments of Posidonia oceanica presents a significant challenge for its restoration. Rhizome fragments of this slow-growing seagrass require robust rooting for successful anchorage and nutrient absorption from the environment. Controlled experiments have demonstrated that the use of plant growth regulators, such as the auxins α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), stimulates rooting in P. oceanica cuttings. However, this effect has not been tested in a marine environment. In this study, rhizome fragments were exposed to varying concentrations of NAA and IBA for 24 hours before transplanting into a dead matte area in the Bay of Pollensa (Mallorca, Spain). After one year, all fragments survived; however, contrary to expectations, no significant differences emerged in the growth and biomass of roots, rhizomes (orthotropic and plagiotropic), and leaves between treated and untreated fragments. This implies that applying auxins to P. oceanica rhizome fragments may not offer an advantage when rooting transplants in the marine environment. Future studies should explore how other environmental conditions can influence rooting and interactions with auxin effects over time.

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.

Abstract

Seed predation and dispersal play key roles in the regeneration of tropical trees. Seeds may escape pre-dispersal predation when ingested with the fruit pulp and moved away from the parent trees by frugivores. Frugivore species may influence dispersal quality differently even when feeding on the same fruit species. In southern Mexico, we investigated if seed traits (i.e., length, width, and mass) and germination success differed among seeds ingested by howler monkeys (Alouatta pigra), spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), and non-ingested seeds. For this, we recorded the germination rate and percentage of seeds from five tropical tree species, including the following: Ampelocera hottlei , Brosimum lactescens , Dialium guianense, Spondias mombin and Spondias radlkoferi. Furthermore, only for D. guianense we determined if there was a primate selection towards seeds with no insect damaged. Results showed that traits of seeds ingested by howler monkeys differed from those ingested by spider monkeys and non-ingested seeds; while seeds ingested by spider monkeys were similar to non-ingested seeds. Howlers consumed on average the larger seeds. For all five tree species, germination rate was greatest for seeds ingested by howler monkeys. The proportion of damaged seeds declined significantly from non-ingested seeds (48 %), to seeds in spider monkey feces (29 %), and finally to seeds in howler monkey feces (7 %). Fruit selection by primate species influences dispersal quality differently, even when feeding on the same plant species. Howler monkeys may increase the reproductive success of the studied tree species by selecting larger and predation-free seeds/fruits.

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

The Southwestern Atlantic Ocean (SWA), is considered one of the most productive areas of the world, with a high abundance of ecologically and economically important fish species. Yet, the biological responses of this complex region to climate variability are still uncertain. Using 24 years of satellite-derived Chl-a data, the SWA was classified into 9 spatially coherent regions based on the temporal variability of Chl-a concentration, as revealed by SOM (Self-Organizing Maps) analysis. These biogeographical regions were the basis of a regional trend analysis in phytoplankton biomass, phenological indices, and environmental forcing variations. A general positive trend in phytoplankton concentration was observed, especially in the highly productive areas of the northern shelf-break, where phytoplankton biomass has increased at a rate of up to 0.42 ± 0.04 mg m −3 per decade. Significant positive trends in sea surface temperature were observed in 4 of the 9 regions (0.08–0.26 °C decade −1) and shoaling of the mixing layer depth in 5 of the 9 regions (−1.50 to −3.36 m decade −1). In addition to the generally positive trend in Chl-a, the most conspicuous change in the phytoplankton temporal patterns in the SWA is a delay in the autumn bloom (between 15 ± 3 and 24 ± 6 days decade −1, depending on the region). The observed variations in phytoplankton phenology could be attributed to climate-induced ocean warming and extended stratification period. The provided results further evidence of the impact of climate change on these highly productive waters.

Abstract

CyberTracker is a non-profit organization which develops free field data collection software. While Cybertracker software is free of charge, easy to use by a broad range of users due to its simplicity and provides multiple advantages for field data collection in comparison to a manual approach, it is still widely unknown and rarely used. During this talk, I will introduce the software, explain its advantages and applications, the types of hardware available, provide some personal examples of the application during my research and introduce its functioning. Hopefully, the talk will serve for the attendees to understand its potential and consider using this powerful tool that has made my field data collection much easier and efficient and has also improved the quality of the data recorded.

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.

Abstract

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the best studied eukaryotic model organisms. It can alternate between haploid and diploid phases, with lack of nutrients favoring a switch to the haploid phase through a mechanism called sporulation. During sporulation, a single diploid cell generates four haploid daughter cells -a tetrad- which are tightly enclosed within a structure called the ascus. Confinement within the ascus is thought to enforce mating between products of the same meiotic division, minimizing outcrossing in this stage of the life cycle. Therefore, outbreeding has been commonly considered extremely rare in nature. Recent studies, however, have begun to challenge this view by uncovering a surprising ecological niche for the outbreeding of wild yeast: the guts of wasps. Yeast outbreeding in this environment likely involves an interaction between the physicochemical environment of the gut and the biological response of the cells. Preliminary results indicate that ascus breakage results from the combination of physical stresses and enzymatic digestion factors. Mixing due to movement at the gut-level can then promote the formation of multi-strain aggregates and outbreeding. Understanding the natural mechanisms leading to yeast outbreeding in nature will lead us to a better understanding of the S. cerevisiae evolution and adaptation capability. This project is a part of a HFSP grant entitled “The aphrodisiac gut”, in collaboration with research groups specialized in Chemistry from University of Sydney, in Biology from University of Turin and Mathematics from Boston University.