Predicting Organismal responses To Eutrophication and Climate warming in Tandem (PROTECT).

Worldwide habitat degradation has created a matrix of environmental stressors for species to navigate; but, understanding interactions among stressors is one of the largest knowledge deficiencies in ecological conservation. Anthropogenic eutrophication (hereafter, eutrophication) and climate warming are two of the most pervasive global stressors. The environmental and economic burdens of eutrophication and climate warming in isolation are well documented, with frequent reports of species range shifts and extinctions, fisheries collapses and contamination of drinking water. Eutrophication events are predicted to increase in frequency, duration and intensity under forecasted climate warming. However, it is unknown how climate warming and eutrophication will interact to affect the functional performance of fish. Stressor interactions can reveal 'ecological surprises', where exposure to one stressor may heighten or reduce resilience to another stressor. PROTECT aims to explores how simultaneous exposure to eutrophication and climate warming impacts the physiology, behaviour and fitness of a range of fish species. A mechanistic, experimental approach will be implemented to assess the efficacy of physiological compensation in buffering the negative impacts of these stressors, which unless combated, may lead to cardio-respiratory compromise, impaired swimming and reduced fitness. Comparative studies will aim to reveal mechanisms underlying inter-species differences in susceptibility to eutrophication in a warmer world. This project will unveil crucial data required to incorporate climate warming scenarios into eutrophication control guidelines, ultimately aiding conservation efforts in novel environments.

Keywords:CLIMATE WARMING, EUTROPHICATION, FISH PHYSIOLOGY, FISH ECOLOGY

Disciplines:Animal ecology, Animal morphology, anatomy and physiology, Aquatic biology