Research of the Marine Animal Ecology group
Marine Animal Ecology investigates how animals adapt to their (changing) environment. The projects comprise all levels of biological integration, from cell to ecosystem.
Our research lines
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Biodiversity
Biodiversity is a measurement of variation that can be assessed at the genetic, species and ecosystem level. At Marine Animal Ecology we perform fundamental research to answer questions such as how biodiversity is generated and maintained and what the underlying processes are. We also develop monitoring tools to adequately assess diversity.
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Population dynamics
Within species, there is variation among populations, groups of animals in a particular area that interbreed. Population dynamics focusses on the study of demographics, such as growth and decline, and the environmental processes that driving them. Marine Animal Ecology contributes to the fields of population genetics and population ecology and studies how population dynamics change over time and space.
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Ecophysiology
Coral reefs are facing multiple threats, from global warming to ocean acidification to impaired water quality. Marine Animal Ecology studies ecophysiological responses of organisms using state-of-the-art experimental set ups.
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Socio-ecological systems
Coral reefs support wellbeing and livelihoods of local communities through various ecosystem services. Beyond studying ecological and evolutionary issues, it is also crucial to focus on socio-economic aspects. Marine Animal Ecology uses a combination of qualitative methods to assess the societal impact of for instance reef restoration.
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Climate resilience
Marine ecosystems are challenged by various aspects of climate change. In order for ecosystems to persist they need to be resilient: able to absorb and withstand stress, maintain function and, if necessary, evolve into configurations that are able to thrive. Marine Animal Ecology aims to increase climate resilience of reefs through understanding how organisms respond to change and how we can best protect them.
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Habitat restoration
To counterbalance detrimental effects of anthropogenic influences on coral reefs, efforts are taken to restore reefs. Restoration efforts can take the form of rearing coral fragments in nurseries or placing artificial structures to promote benthic and pelagic biodiversity. Another aspect of habitat restoration is the genetic health and resilience of transplanted coral fragments. Marine Animal Ecology works in Kenya, the Dutch Caribbean and the North Sea on various restoration projects.
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Critical stressors
Many factors can be considered critical stressors. Climate change, and associated sea surface temperature rise and ocean acidification, for instance. However, there are also many local stressors affecting the health marine organisms. Local addition of CO2 via GASDRIVE powered ships, oil spills, and heavy metals are just to name but a few. Marine Animal Ecology studies the effect of these stressors on marine life through various experiments.
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Eco-based circularity
Sustainability and circularity are closely related subjects. In order to make processes more sustainable, the multiple use and recycling of products is vital. In marine systems, you can think of RAS (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems) or multitrophic mariculture systems. Marine Animal Ecology uses the biological filtering property of sponges to make fisheries more sustainable.