Adaptations of macroalgae to climate change
Macroalgae are responding to warming ocean temperatures by shifting their biogeographic distributions polewards. There is concern however that many species won't be able to migrate fast enough to keep up with the current rates of warming, as their dispersal capacity is limited. Examining how macroalgae are adapted to their local environments may shed light on whether adaptive responses to continued ocean warming are possible.
I am interested in understanding what factors drive the adaptation of macroalgae to their local thermal conditions. This is of paramount importance for informing conservation and management strategies seeking to increase seaweed forest resilience to future warming. To answer this question, I perform ecological field manipulations and laboratory experiments. I also collaborate with molecular ecologists to unveil the genetic basis of adaptation.
This research forms part of my PhD at the Wernberg lab.
I am interested in understanding what factors drive the adaptation of macroalgae to their local thermal conditions. This is of paramount importance for informing conservation and management strategies seeking to increase seaweed forest resilience to future warming. To answer this question, I perform ecological field manipulations and laboratory experiments. I also collaborate with molecular ecologists to unveil the genetic basis of adaptation.
This research forms part of my PhD at the Wernberg lab.