Consequences of changes in biodiversity - marine macroalgal communities
Detta är ett förslag på examensarbete för kandidat- eller masternivå vid Institutionen för marina vetenskaper. Examensarbeten vid Institutionen för marina vetenskaper görs självständigt och bedöms individuellt.
Subject: Marine Biology
Suitable level and length: Master (30, 45 or 60)
Main supervisors: Lars Gamfeldt, James Hagan
Location: Tjärnö or Gothenburg
Project description
Focus of the project is the consequences of changes in biodiversity. Field experiments with marine macroalgal communities.
Project background
Threats to species and ecosystems are greater today than ever before in human history. While the loss of biological diversity is a tradegy in itself, it may also feed back on how nature functions.
Over the last two decades we have learned through hundreds of experiments and theoretical studies that impoverished biodiversity generally results in lower ecosystem function, such as primary production and nutrient uptake. However, our knowledge is mainly based on relatively small-scale studies in homogeneous environments.
We are currently starting up a research program to better understand what happens in nature when species are lost. We will combine experiments with analyses of observational data.
Problem
To set up an experiment to test the role of algal species diversity for ecosystem functions.
Method
Experiments and field observations in which we test how communities consisting of different brown algal canopy species affect the associated communities of animals and algae.
Contact
Main supervisor
Lars Gamfeldt
Email: lars.gamfeldt@gu.se