Competitive funding

Projects

  • Efecto de eventos térmicos en la dinámica del zooplancton marino: umbrales de vulnerabilidad, efecto acumulativo y potencial adaptativo

    Period: from 2024 to 2027
    Funding entity:
    PN2023 -PROY I+D PID- SUBPR. ESTATAL DE GENER. DE CONOCIMIENTO- Programa Estatal para Impulsar la Investigación Científico-Técnica y su Transferencia - PEICTI 2021-2023
    Ref.:
    PID2023-150548NB-I00
    Amount awarded:
    140000.00€
    Abstract:

     

    In the oceans, zooplankton play a critical role as the link between primary producers (phytoplankton) and upper trophic levels (fish). Their functions, including nutrient recycling and carbon export to the deep ocean, make them essential for the ecosystem dynamics. In the current climate change scenario, the escalating frequency of marine heatwaves poses further threats to zooplankton because the rapid and substantial temperature increases may exceed their physiological limits, resulting in a significant risk to marine zooplankton populations. Despite its relevance, limited attention has been given to the effects of marine heatwaves on planktonic organisms.

    Our research proposal, ZOOHEAT, addresses this critical gap by investigating the capacity of marine zooplankton to withstand heatwave events. Recognizing that extreme events can occur within- and between-generational time scales for short-lived organisms like zooplankton, our approach combines short-term studies with longer-term exposed populations to mimic seasonal thermal changes. We aim to unravel how the effects of heatwaves on zooplankton are influenced by previous thermal history and resource concentration. This aspect is relatively unexplored, yet essential for comprehending the vulnerability and resilience of zooplankton to heat events.

    The project focuses on selected microzooplankton (ciliates and dinoflagellates) and mesozooplankton (copepods), employing a laboratory- oriented approach to study their physiological vulnerability to heat events, considering carry-over effects along their thermal history as well as the influence of food availability. The general objective is to investigate the impact of heatwaves on the ecophysiological responses and vulnerability thresholds of marine zooplankton, with specific objectives focusing on protozoan and copepod populations. Our innovative research seeks to enhance our understanding of the mechanisms determining a species' ability to persist under heat events based on previous thermal history and resource limitation.

    While ZOOHEAT is a basic science research project, the knowledge gained is anticipated to contribute significantly to refining ecological and biogeochemical models. Ultimately, this enhanced understanding will empower society to better forecast and address future challenges in the marine ecosystem, underscoring the project's potential for high impact at national and international levels. 

  • Earth Observation in a changing world threatened by Tipping Points

    Period: from 2024 to 2027
    Funding entity:
    PN2023 -PROY I+D PID- SUBPR. ESTATAL DE GENER. DE CONOCIMIENTO- Programa Estatal para Impulsar la Investigación Científico-Técnica y su Transferencia - PEICTI 2021-2023
    Acronym:
    EO4TIP
    Ref.:
    PID2023-149659OB-C21
    Amount awarded:
    234000.00€
    Abstract:

     

    Our world exhibits non-linear behavior, challenging the expectation of smooth, predictable and reversible changes with the reality of abrupt, unexpected and potentially irreversible shifts. Tipping points (TP) and abrupt changes in the Earth system represent arguably the most significant risk in a changing world, threatening our environment, society and economy. The identification, monitoring and analysis of these phenomena are crucial to drive adaptation and mitigation strategies. The EO4TIP project seeks to advance towards a new Earth Observation (EO) paradigm, Remote Sensing v3.0, addressing these challenges by leveraging the combined expertise of the two teams, CSIC and UPC, with a long joint research trajectory. The key objectives of EO4TIP are: i) to develop EO methodologies to improve the detection, monitoring and analysis of TP and abrupt changes with past, current and planned satellite missions, ii) to promote technological advancements for new instrument concepts to enhance space monitoring, iii) to establish the foundations of an EO-based monitoring system suitable for tipping phenomena to improve identification, analysis and anticipation, particularly at local and regional scales and iv) to raise awareness of the importance of monitoring TP among academia, stakeholders and the general public. 

    The main components of the Earth's climate are the atmosphere and the oceans. While atmospheric variables have changed at a fast rate during the last years, what is really striking is the evolution of the ocean component and its interfaces: sea surface temperature rising 6-sigma above the mean of the early years of satellite era, a sudden decrease of sea ice in both poles and evidence of large changes in deep water circulation, apart from the evidences of the acceleration of the global water cycle. The CSIC team is specialized in the study of the ocean and its interfaces (atmosphere, coasts, sea ice). The team has a wide experience with microwave sensors, both active and passive, and has developed high-level methods for multiscale and multivariate processing. In the context of EO4TIP, CSIC will focus on the development of new L-band radiometric missions (with SAILIN proposal as flagship), the analysis of requirements and development of new methodologies for monitoring tipping points and sharp transitions, and to apply them to several study cases, such as, ocean-atmosphere heat flux, deep water formation, freshwater fluxes (especially in the polar regions), or severe storm trends.