Ecological networks and energy flows in geothermal gradients

• Grant number: 23/09413-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: January 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Theoretical Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Gustavo Quevedo Romero
• Grantee: Marcos Nathan Horato Monteiro
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 19/08474-8 - Freshwater ecosystems under climate change: impacts across multiple levels of organisation, AP.PFPMCG.TEM

Abstract

Continental aquatic ecosystems have been increasingly subjected to stress promoted by anthropogenic agents. Considering climate predictions for the future, it is expected that the increase in global temperature will interfere even more in these systems. In this context, studies involving warming in continental aquatic ecosystems can provide us with evidence of changes predicted for the future and their mechanisms of action. In this project, we will use geothermal streams as natural experiments to evaluate the influence of temperature increase on the trophic components of aquatic communities. To this end, we will evaluate, in a tropical environment, the trophic interactions between organisms, energy fluxes and their responses to different temperatures. The results of this project will allow a better understanding of the effect of warming on biota, their trophic interactions and energetic components in continental aquatic communities. In addition, it is expected to better understand the effect of climate change in tropical environments, where there is a lack of work of this type. (AU)