Rhodolith beds as reservoirs of marine biodiversity.

• Grant number: 24/11293-3
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Botany
• Principal Investigator: Guilherme Henrique Pereira Filho
• Grantee: Vitoria dos Santos Sousa
• Host Institution: Instituto do Mar (IMar). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Baixada Santista. Santos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The conservation of biodiversity associated with rhodolith beds faces significant challenges due to the scarcity of information regarding their distribution and conservation status. While the global distribution of these habitats is recognized, recent studies indicate that rhodolith beds are more prevalent than previously estimated, underscoring their ecological importance and urgent need for protection. The carbonate structure produced by the algae forming rhodoliths harbors various forms, including spores and different life stages, creating an endolithic microbiome crucial for resilience in marine systems and thus environmental health. This project aims to experimentally assess the potential of rhodolith beds as reservoirs of marine biodiversity, promoting resilience and environmental health in response to anthropogenic environmental changes. Experiments will be conducted where collected rhodoliths will be cultured under different nutrient, temperature, and pH scenarios, testing the possibility of hosting undocumented macroalgae in rhodolith beds compared to traditional methods of algae diversity surveys. It is expected that this study will contribute to the appreciation and conservation of rhodolith beds, including strategies and potentially technologies capable of supporting life stages with high potential for restoring degraded marine environments.