How extreme is extreme? Coastal lagoons of the Arabian Gulf

A new model for investigating the biological effects of extremes in climate change

How extreme is extreme? Coastal lagoons of the Arabian Gulf

A new model for investigating the biological effects of extremes in climate change

Summary

This project aims to characterise the mechanisms underpinning benthic invertebrate species’ abilities to survive under extreme environmental conditions at different life stages and levels of biological organisation. We will use methods ranging from molecular approaches (transcriptomics) to whole organism physiology ( EmbryoPhenomics) and measures of heart and metabolic rate as a starting point for this work.

Objectives

Working across different life stages and levels of biological organisation, we will characterise the mechanisms underpinning physiological performance of benthic invertebrate species found in the coastal lagoons of Abu Dhabi:

Under current and future projected climate change conditions (warming, hypersalinity and/or hypoxia).

In the absence and presence of environmental contaminants.

Context of the issue

Our understanding of the effects of marine climate change is still in its infancy. One reason for this is that most work to-date has been focused on a narrow range of species from a restricted number of ecosystems.

If we are to fully characterise the mechanisms that will allow species to cope (or not) with future conditions, this remit needs to be widened.

How the project addresses the issue

This project is focused on the coastal lagoons of the Arabian Gulf which have been termed a 'natural laboratory' for climate change studies. This is because they experience some of the most extreme environmental conditions of any marine system on earth, yet remain productive and biodiverse, with species able to tolerate the extreme and highly variable conditions they experience daily, and seasonally (desiccation, salinity, temperature, and oxygen fluctuations), together with exposure to environmental contaminants resulting from anthropogenic activities.

However, it has been suggested that many lagoon species are living at their upper physiological limits, and this tolerance is accompanied by substantial physiological costs. If so, even slight increases in the intensity of environmental drivers could push those species beyond their tolerance thresholds.

Centre for Marine Biology and Conservation Science (CMACS)

CMACS unites the University of Plymouth's long-standing and internationally recognised research in marine biology and marine conservation science.

By providing an inclusive and supportive atmosphere for knowledge exchange and relationship development, CMACS drives ambitious, innovative, interdisciplinary, world-class marine research.