Acronym SIMBIOSYS
Category
Aquaculture
Title Sectoral Impacts on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Programme National Programme
Instrument (FP6)
Contact Type (FP7)
Strand (Interreg)
NA
Theme (FP7)
Activity Area (FP6)
Regional Area (Interreg)
Action (COST)
NA
Specific Programme (FP7)
NA
Funding source National Coordinator David Bourke Coordinator email bourkedo@tcd.ie
Coordinator institution
TCD - Trinity College Dublin (Ireland)
Institutions involved
NUI Galway - National University of Ireland, Galway (Ireland) ,
UCC - University College Cork (Ireland) ,
UCD - University College Dublin (Ireland) ,
Start year NA End year NA Funding (€) € NA Website https://www.tcd.ie/research/simbiosys/ Summary "Biodiversity and associated ecosystem services are fundamental to humanity but are threatened by human activity in a range of sectors. This project will quantify impacts of key sectoral activities in Ireland (in particular: cultivation of bioenergy crops, road landscaping and aquaculture) on genetic, species and landscape biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide, including pollination, biological pest control, carbon sequestration and resistance to alien species invasion. In addition, we will test methods for mitigating impacts, carry out indepth strategic reviews in order to inform national policy decisions, and make recommendations for future strategic research and management.
Project Objectives;
1. Quantify the impact of several sectors on biodiversity at the genetic, species and landscape scales
2. Determine the consequences of biodiversity change for ecosystem functioning and services
3. Recommend management practices to mitigate for sectoral impacts
4. Inform policy
Specific objectives for aquaculture:
1. Assess impacts of aquaculture on marine biodiversity and develop innovative approaches to reduce those impacts.
2. Characterise chemical and biological characteristics of the organically-enriched sediments under floating fish cages and test whether polyculture (leading to an increase in benthic bioturbation) could ameliorate these effects.
3. Test impacts of bottom culture of introduced oysters (C. gigas) on (i) native biodiversity, (ii) non-indigenous species whose spread may be facilitated by the oysters cultured under specified conditions and (iii) ecosystem functioning.
4. Assess potential for other anthropogenic pressures (e.g. climate change, tourism, agricultural and industrial nutrient pollution, etc.) to interact with aquaculture and fisheries to increase or ameliorate their effects.
5. Provide management recommendations and risk analyses to underpin sustainable development of aquaculture in Ireland and mitigate its effects on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning."
Keywords
Integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA);
Bivalve;
Genetic;
Open sea aquaculture;
Fish;
Alien species;
Impacts;
Environmental impact;
Oyster;
Cage aquaculture;
Pollution;
Biodiversity;
Shellfish;
Restoration;
Climate change;
Mollusc;
Marine Region
31
Southwest of Ireland-East (27.VIIj)
26
Northwest Coast of Scotland and North Ireland (27.VIa)
10
Celtic Sea North (27.VIIg)
29
West of Ireland (27.VIIb)
4
Marine Region Map
