Extreme climate events and their effects on the physiological and ecological aspects of rocky shores benthic organisms

• Grant number: 17/17337-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: August 01, 2018
• End date: November 30, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Ronaldo Adriano Christofoletti
• Grantee: Fabio Henrique Carretero Sanches
• Host Institution: Instituto de Saúde e Sociedade (ISS). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/25108-5 - The role of behavior and microhabitats on the physiology of intertidal benthic invertebrates during heatwaves, BE.EP.PD

Abstract

Extreme climate events are marked variations of a moderate climatic state. Drought and heavy rains, as well as great range of cold and heat are factors that can have profound impacts to human populations and natural systems all over the world. Some studies indicate that the magnitude and frequency of extreme events are becoming more intense recently, with pessimistic projections for the future. Deviations in days that exceed species-specific temperature thresholds or modifications in rainfall and drought regimes may lead to physiological and ecological alterations in some organisms. Nevertheless, there are still more questions than answers about the real effects of extreme events on various organisms and ecosystems, pointing to the need of studies that fill these gaps. In addition, the integration between physiology and ecology is needed for the broader understanding of the potential effects of extreme climate events on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. In this context, the intertidal region of rocky shores is an important model environment for testing climatic issues and at different biological levels, since organisms in these ecosystems are subject to various environmental challenges. Therefore, our study aims to evaluate the effects of extreme events on the physiology and ecology of benthic populations of rocky shore. Specifically, we will: (1) characterize the extreme climate events of the study region over time; (2) to evaluate the physiological and population aspects of organisms due to extreme events in the natural environment; and (3) to evaluate experimentally how the intensity and frequency of temperature and rainfall, as well as the synergistic effect of these stressors, affect the organisms in that region.

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

SANCHES, FABIO H. C.; MARTINS, FERNANDO R.; CONTI, WILLIAM R. P.; CHRISTOFOLETTI, RONALDO A.. The increase in intensity and frequency of surface air temperature extremes throughout the western South Atlantic coast. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 13, n. 1, p. 12-pg., 2023-04-25. (17/17337-9, 16/24551-4)

SANCHEZ-QUINTO, ANDRES; DA COSTA, JULLIET CORREA; ZAMBONI, NADIA S.; SANCHES, FABIO H. C.; PRINCIPE, SILAS C.; VIOTTO, EVANGELINA V.; CASAGRANDA, ELVIRA; DA VEIGA-LIMA, FRANCISCO A.; POSSAMAI, BIANCA; FARONI-PEREZ, LARISSE. Development of a conceptual framework for the management of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the Mexican Caribbean. Biota Neotropica, v. 20, n. 1, 2020. (17/17337-9)