Cutting across disciplines to predict ecosystem change in space and time

Mary S. Wisz, Ph.D. Senior Scientist – Spatial Ecology Group, Arctic Research Centre, Dept. of Biosciences, Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, P.O. Box 358, DK-4000 Roskilde, Denmark

Talk begins: 11:30 am, Monday 20^th May 2013

Tea and biscuits beforehand in the MBA common room. ALL WELCOME

Predicting which species will occur together in the future, and where, remains one of the greatest challenges in ecology, and requires a sound understanding of how the abiotic and biotic environment interacts with dispersal processes and history across scales in space and time. To account for these complex interactions and processes, we use spatial modelling tools in concert with population genetics, phylogentics, trophic ecology, dispersal ecology, and simple trait-based approaches. To illustrate our approach, I present examples ranging from quantifying changes in vegetation communities to predicting species invasions in the North West Passage with climate change.

An audience of over forty learnt about the history of the Citadel Hill Laboratory and some of the research currently being conducted by the MBA and SAHFOS. A big thank you to all three of our speakers, Ian Cooper, John Rundle and Chris Reid.

Chris Reid talking about the work of the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS) for “The Laboratory on the Hoe” project and Plymouth History Festival.

See the website for more information.

If you are disappointed you missed last week’s event, please note that John and Chris will be giving their talks again later in the year for the Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery lunchtime talk series:

John Rundle (MBA), “The story of the cuttlefish from egg to the Budgerigar cage”, 16 July 2013

Chris Reid (SAHFOS), “Earth systems: the role of regime shift in the context of climate change”, 17 September 2013

The Laboratory on the Hoe project is financed by the Heritage Lottery Fund.

We are currently conducting a large scale Stakeholder Survey “Perceptions about marine litter” in the UK and across Europe.  The purpose of the survey is to understand what people’s opinions are about marine litter, including ideas about the type of litter found in the sea, where it comes from, what the consequences are, and who is responsible.  We are keen to get representation across several key sectors, including the general public; waste management; environmental NGOs; local and national government/policy making; design and manufacturing; retail; coastal/marine industry; the media; and educators.

We would be so grateful if you were able to participate in the survey and help circulate the link -  https://www.psy.plymouth.ac.uk/MARLISCO/(S(kb0hqrgcyhi0ytqghghffqy5))/default.aspx  to encourage friends and colleagues to be part of this.  It would be particularly good if you were able to circulate in the local district council.  It takes about 15 minutes to complete.  There is some brief text about the survey below this email in case this helps in any communication.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,

Bonny

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Survey info:

Opinions about marine litter? Take part in a European-wide survey https://www.psy.plymouth.ac.uk/MARLISCO/

Tell us your views about this topic in our short survey (it only takes about 15 mins).  What types of litter are found in the sea? Where does it come from? What are the consequences? Who is responsible?

This is part of a project called MARLISCO (Marine Litter in Europe Seas: Social Awareness and Co-Responsibility).  The survey is being led by Dr Bonny Hartley, Dr Sabine Pahl and Prof. Richard Thompson at Plymouth University, UK.  We seek to raise awareness of the problems and potential solutions relating to marine litter, to change people’s attitudes and behaviours towards this environmental issue.

Contact the researcher bonny.hartley@plymouth.ac.uk<mailto:bonny.hartley@plymouth.ac.uk> if you have questions or would like more information about the survey or MARLISCO.

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Bonny Hartley, PhD

Research Fellow

School of Psychology, and School of Marine Science and Engineering Plymouth University Drake Circus, Plymouth

PL4 8AA, UK

tel. +44(0)1752 587864

Sustainability group http://psychology.plymouth.ac.uk/research/working-groups/sustainability/

FP7 Marine Litter in European Seas http://www.marlisco.eu/

The Marine Biological Association would like to invite fellow MBA members to join us to survey intertidal crabs at Wembury Point, Devon.

We will meet in the National Trust car park at Wembury Point (Not the Wembury Marine Centre Car park)  at 11.00, directions here: http://goo.gl/maps/wGWuI .  Some members will be leaving the MBA laboratory at 10.30, so if you require a lift from Plymouth, please let us know. This survey is suitable for all levels of expertise. There is a fairly long walk to the survey site from where we will park, so please let us know if this is likely to be a problem for you.  We will be outside for most of the event, so please bring a packed lunch and drink, and dress appropriately for the conditions. We expect to be finished by 16.00.

The session will begin with an introduction to some common intertidal crab species and survey instructions.

Please get in touch if you would like any further information or are interested in lending your expertise or support to any of our events. When booking, please let us know as soon as you can if you require a lift or are able to offer lifts to other participants. Please also leave a contact number when you book as we may also need to contact you if the plans for the day change for any reason.

For booking or more information, please email: events@mba.ac.uk

You must be a current member of the MBA to participate. To join the MBA visit: www.mba.ac.uk/membership

SAERI’s objective is to be a world class academic institute, based in the Falkland Islands, operating in the South Atlantic from the equator down to the ice in Antarctica. It aims to conduct world class research, teach students, and build capacity within and between the UK South Atlantic Overseas Territories (UK OTs). The institute’s remit includes the natural and physical sciences. Its mission is to advance environmental understanding in the South Atlantic through research excellence and innovative scientific leadership (www.south-atlantic-research.org).

The post will be for a period of two years in the first instance.

Applicants should have a post graduate degree in GIS or equivalent subject and at least 5 years post graduate experience working in the field of GIS and managing GIS projects, particularly within the Environmental Sciences.

The package

•          Basic salary starts from £31,394 per annum depending on qualifications and experience

•          Eligibility for a gratuity of basic salary earned over the period of appointment, payable at the end of the contract

•          Airfares for the post holder at the beginning and end of contract, as well as mid-contract return flights

•          Favourable income tax rates

For more information, a detailed job description and application form, please contact the Recruitment Officer, Falkland House, 14 Broadway, Westminster, London SW1H OBH Email: recruitment@falklands.gov.fk Tel: 020 7222 2542 or Fax: 020 7222 2375. Contact Dr Paul Brickle (pbrickle@env.institute.ac.fk) for job specific detail.

Application forms should be returned to Falkland House at the latest by noon on Wednesday 15^th May 2013.

The pilchard (Sardina pilchardus) top, and Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) below. Pilchard and herring are closely related pelagic (open sea) fish which feed on plankton. Image: Matt McHugh / MBA.

Martin Edwards of SAHFOS, who led the study, said “The AMO alternately masks and exaggerates the long-term rise in temperatures due to global warming, and helps to explain how the North Atlantic is warming faster than the global average in some areas.”

As the AMO goes into a cooling phase in the coming years, scientists will be watching to see how herring and sardine fisheries are affected.

The study was published in PLoS ONE:

Edwards M, Beaugrand G, Helaouët P, Alheit J, Coombs S (2013), Marine Ecosystem Response to the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation. PLoS ONE 8(2): e57212. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057212

Further information

In the early ’70s, MBA scientists Frederick Russell, Alan Southward, Gerald Boalch and Ian Butler introduced the idea that climatic changes are cyclical over decadal or longer periods, and drive periodic changes in marine ecosystems.

Read more about the ‘Russell Cycle‘.

Batten Bay Beach Rangers

Ragworms at Kinterbury Creek

The Beach Rangers have been on the shore around Plymouth over the Easter holidays, reaching 350 people over 6 events, as part of the MBA’s Blue Sound Project.

Their mission is to help local people enjoy our amazing marine life, and following on from a great season of seashore fun last summer they have been running free marine-themed activities to explore local beaches and unlock the secrets of Plymouth’s amazing European Marine Site!

Another comment from a young shore explorer: “I’ve got nothing else to do and there’s no Beach Rangers tomorrow”

Don’t worry, the Beach Rangers haven’t ended. They will be back at half term and again over the Summer holidays.

Please see the Blue Sound web site for more information or call Bex House on 07943241928.

The sessions are supported by Marinexus, the Blue Sound Action Group, and Blue Sound partners.

People in Plymouth have greater opportunities to experience their superb marine environment through the Blue Sound Project, which has received money from Natural England’s Access to Nature programme, funded through the Big Lottery Fund’s Changing Spaces programme.

Blue Sound is a partnership project of the Marine Biological Association.

The laboratory at Citadel Hill

125 Years of Marine Science at the Laboratory on the Hoe

Thursday 9 May, 6pm to 8pm
The Laboratory, Citadel Hill, The Hoe, Plymouth PL1 2PB

The Marine Biological Association (MBA) and the Sir Alister Hardy Foundation for Ocean Science (SAHFOS) occupy the Laboratory on Citadel Hill. Listen as researchers from both institutions present the history and work that takes place with lectures by Ian Cooper, John Rundle and Chris Reid. Wine and light refreshments will be provided. Admission is free but advance booking is essential on iancoo@mba.ac.uk

Follow Plymouth History Festival on Twitter @plymhistoryfest

The Festival – Beneath the Waves Film Festival is a US-based international film festival in its’ fourth consecutive year, showcasing the talent of marine film-makers worldwide, highlighting conservation issues across the globe. Selected films will shown at mini-festivals all over the world, and for the first time in the UK The Poly, Falmouth is hosting it’s own mini-festival.

The competition – we invite submissions of both short films and still images which highlight local conservation issues. Underwater footage is not required but imagery must focus on ocean/marine/aquatic themes or issues, and must be your own original work. A research and/or conservation angle is encouraged but not essential. We welcome films and stills with all types of messages and subject matter, but we also want to highlight ocean success stories! The winning film will be shown alongside international films, presented by Canon photographer Fergus Kennedy. Winning images will be exhibited in The Poly Gallery for one week prior to the festival. If you are a diver, photographer, scientist, conservationist, or just passionate about the ocean then this is for you – if you have a good story which needs to be told, we want to hear from you!

PRIZES – £200 for the winning documentary / £50 for the winning photograph

How to submit – send a request email to:

beneaththewavesfalmouth@gmail.com

All material must be submitted by May 14th 2013.

Get shooting and good luck!

The Beneath The Waves Falmouth Team

Lucie, Phil and Sarah