Projects

The NISBryoECO project examines the ecological role of bryozoans (Bryozoa) in the Mediterranean Sea, with a particular focus on non-indigenous species.

Understanding of their distribution, spread, and impacts remains limited due to inconsistent monitoring and a lack of experts in this field. The project follows EU guidelines and addresses key knowledge gaps regarding the impacts of non-indigenous species on marine ecosystems. Bryozoans are highly efficient colonizers of hard substrates and can spread rapidly, particularly via maritime traffic. The factors determining their success in new environments are still poorly understood, and their impacts on ecosystems are often supported by limited empirical evidence. The project focuses on spatial competition within fouling communities and on the role of microbiota, which, despite its importance, remains largely unexplored. In addition, it investigates feeding selectivity in bryozoans and their influence on the water column. Fieldwork is conducted in the Gulf of Trieste, an area subject to significant anthropogenic pressure. The project employs a combination of field, genetic, and microscopic methods. Its results will contribute to a better understanding of ecological processes and support the development of effective strategies for the conservation and management of marine ecosystems.
 

The main objective of the project is to shed light on selected ecological aspects of non-indigenous bryozoan species and to fill knowledge gaps regarding their impacts on ecosystems.

Specifically, the project aims to: (1) understand the competitive strategies of bryozoans in natural and artificial habitats, enabling better prediction of their distribution and impacts; and (2) deepen understanding of their role in linking pelagic and benthic environments through suspension feeding, by exploring the complex interactions that connect these organisms with the broader marine environment.

• Information about the project - SICRIS