Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/Z000459/1
Mechanisms and processes of ecosystem restoration after the Messinian salinity crisis
Grant Award
- Principal Investigator:
- Dr RJ Newton, University of Leeds, School of Earth and Environment
- Grant held at:
- University of Leeds, School of Earth and Environment
- Science Area:
- Marine
- Overall Classification:
- Unknown
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Global Change
- Science Topics:
- Palaeobiology
- Planktonic foraminifera
- Cenozoic climate change
- Palaeoenvironments
- Palaeoecology
- Abstract:
- The ocean covers 71% of the globe, yet only 8% is protected. Human activities mean many ecosystems are now damaged beyond the point where natural recovery is feasible. Therefore, human induced ecological restoration is vital to counteract habitat destruction and resulting biodiversity loss. Successful habitat restoration of degraded systems requires us to know timescales of recovery, differences in geographic vulnerability and differences between ecosystems. Restoration projects have been successful in terrestrial environments and to some extent coastal settings. A lack of long-term data sets and challenges in observing marine habitats have led to fundamental knowledge gaps hindering marine ecological restoration success. For example, is the timing and sequence of recovery consistent at different depths of the water column? Does long-term recovery vary regionally, responding to local climatic and environmental conditions causing differential recovery capacity? How long are stress responses observed in individuals and how does that scale-up to ecosystems? Using appropriate data sets to answer these questions will enhance our understanding of the processes of marine habitat recovery which can then be incorporated into restoration projects increasing their success and geographical scope. We will assess habitability of the Mediterranean during the latter stages of the Messinian Salinity Crisis using presence/absence data of foraminifera. We will then generate millennial-scale, high resolution stable isotopes records of marine fossilised plankton and benthos to understand the timing and mechanisms of both surface and deep ecosystem recovery from near-complete habitat destruction 6 million years ago when the Mediterranean Sea dried up. We will apply statistical techniques to understand how these fossil communities re-established themselves and returned to previous levels of diversity within the context of their local climatic conditions. This research will not only provide a unique insight into how marine ecosystems recovered from one of the most fascinating periods of Earth's history, but it will also provide fundamental information about the timings and drivers of recovery. As anthropogenic habitat destruction combined with climate change continue the need for restoration in all marine environments will only increase and this research will provide the fundamental knowledge, across relevant timescales for marine habitat restoration to be successful.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/Z000459/1
- Grant Stage:
- Awaiting Authorisation
- Scheme:
- Directed (RP) - NR1
- Grant Status:
- Approved
- Programme:
- UK IODP Phase4
This grant award has a total value of £25,747
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| DI - Other Costs | Indirect - Indirect Costs | DI - Staff | DA - Estate Costs | DI - T&S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £4,452 | £9,140 | £7,152 | £2,284 | £2,719 |
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