SYMBIOCORE

SYnergies through Merging BIOlogical and biogeochemical expertise in COral REsearch

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Coral reefs are among the most diverse ecosystems on the planet and provide livelihoods for hundreds of millions of people around the globe. At the basis of these ecosystems stands the symbiosis between cnidarians and dinoflagellates. How the coral holobiont with its cnidarian host, the dinoflagellate symbiont and the associated microbial community interact with each other and their environment and how this symbiosis reacts to perturbation is the focus of dynamic research worldwide. This project aims at establishing a multidisciplinary initiative to strengthen existing and establishing new collaborative connections between scientists in the field of coral research and to promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise. The proposed partners are at the forefront of coral research in their respective areas, from coral photobiology, photosynthesis regulation, the metabolism of the coral symbiosis and genomics approaches over photoacclimation patterns and coral bleaching to coral ecophysiology and biogeochemical processes. Some of the questions this team wants to address are: What are the effects of climate change on coral reef primary production, respiration and coral photo-physiology? How do photoacclimation patterns of corals influence bleaching potential? Is there more to coral bleaching than the physiological breakdown of the symbiosis? What are the ecological and biogeochemical consequences of phase shifts in coral reefs? Through the collaborative efforts within the SymbioCoRe project namely, workshops, seminars and staff exchanges to promote knowledge transfer, we will be able to contribute to a holistic understanding of these complex processes. This action will increase the skills and knowledge of all partners involved and will improve the position of the European Research Area in the global effort to develop better models of the host/symbiont relationship and to build effective approaches to better protect coral reefs and the associated ecosystems.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

More than one-quarter billion people, globally, depend upon coral reefs and their associated biodiversity, which has been massively declining recently. Deciphering the intricacies of coral reef symbioses and responses to environmental change is key to mitigation and conservation efforts.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Staggering numbers of people depend upon the food, economic and ecosystem service benefits produced by coral reefs. The biodiversity within the world's reef systems is often unique and always complex. As a result, researchers and policymakers face major challenges when attempting to mitigate declining reef health. Since reefs have been 'bleaching' and eroding at alarming rates in recent decades, the same stakeholders are highly motivated to find viable conservation solutions.

In response, the EU-funded project 'Synergies through merging biological and biogeochemical expertise in coral research' (SYMBIOCORE) was established. Recognising that the world's reefs, and therefore reef experts, are scattered around the globe, SYMBIOCORE is deliberately facilitating an expertise exchange. Indeed, researchers from Australia, Brazil, Germany, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States have travelled to each other's field sites and laboratories. These exchanges have enabled extensive study of Brazil's Abrolhos archipelago and increased the number of researchers with specialised training in genetic, metabolomics and experimental procedures.

In particular, SYMBIOCORE is focused on the relationship between cnidarian corals and the microalga genus Symbiodinium (zooxanthellae). Coral reefs depend upon the symbiosis of these organisms, but the relationship nuances are not well understood.

SYMBIOCORE researchers aim to significantly improve current understanding of how this symbiosis responds to environmental change locally, regionally and globally.

Although not yet completed, SYMBIOCORE has provided the world's researchers with essential new and more detailed data on coral reef symbiosis and the organisms involved. Equipped with cutting-edge training and strengthened collaboration networks, SYMBIOCORE researchers are well-positioned to address urgent questions about the future of coral reefs.