CREC

Coastal Research Network On Environmental Changes

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Coastal wetlands experience dramatic changes as a consequence of temperature increase, sea level rise, or nutrient accumulation. This has raised great concern about the future fate of such systems, their functioning and services. Conservation policies are in need of new approaches in order to understand the complex feedback mechanisms driving organismic responses to environmental changes, and improving our capability to forecast future changes in higher hierarchical levels of the ecosystems. The CREC consortium will address these issues by investigating: (i) effects of interacting environmental drivers, (ii) combined changes in biotic interactions, and (iii) feedback loops between hierarchical levels within ecological systems. We selected mangroves as our core topic since these wetlands are particularly threatened by environmental changes but provide multiple functions to be conserved in the future. Nevertheless, the research techniques applied in the working packages will form an ecological know-how that scientists will easily transfer to other ecosystems including European ones. This will significantly improve both, the strength and impact power of the applying consortium, and the scientific base for conservation, rehabilitation and management of coastal ecosystems. The CREC network brings together 9 participants from 3 European countries and 5 Third countries. The network builds on a strong base of already established co-operations but will also provide new cross-links of expertise on empirical, theoretical, and applied aspects of wetland research. In this frame, the merging of ecophysiological research and computer modelling is seminal and strategically important for the development and implementation of innovative and scientifically sound technologies for coastal conservation and environmental management. The CREC research activities are thus in agreement with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity and the World Summit on Sustainable Development.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Coastal ecosystems are susceptible to the effects of climate change, including rises in temperature and physical destruction as a result of storms and hurricanes. These habitats are also at risk from changes in land use and the accumulation of nutrients.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

This vulnerability is reflected in growing concern regarding the future fate of threatened species as well as coastal communities and populations. Therefore, it is vital to understand the complex network of processes and feedback mechanisms that are behind the ecosystems' responses to environmental changes.

The 'Coastal research network on environmental changes' (http://www.forst.tu-dresden.de/CREC/ (CREC)) project studied the response of mangrove ecosystems to environmental changes. The consortium comprised participants from the EU, as well as from Australia, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa and the United States.

Mangrove swamps are studied as these wetlands are particularly threatened. They are also essential for coastal protection and as a habitat for many marine organisms. Project partners are therefore investigating adaptability in growth and reproduction in mangrove species.

Researchers are also studying the factors determining the latitudinal limits of mangrove trees and organisms living on the sea bottom. In addition, scientists are examining the impact of climate change on the structure and function of coastal wetland effects of interacting factors.

The CREC project will improve the ability of scientists to evaluate and forecast future changes in coastal ecosystems over the coming decades. The new holistic approach and transnational cooperation of experts spearheaded by the consortium will help conserve, rehabilitate and manage these threatened ecosystems.