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Researcher

Bart De Smet

  • Research Expertise  (Flanders Marine Institute):Dr. Bart De Smet is a postdoctoral researcher responsible for the macro- and megafaunal sections of an ecological baseline study in the Clarion Clipperton Fracture Zone (CCFZ) serving Global Sea Mineral Resources NV (GSR) . Bart is trained as a biologist (BSc) and a Marine Scientist (Erasmus Mundus MSc in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation) and he obtained his PhD in Science (Marine Sciences) at Ghent University. His PhD research aimed at improving our understanding of the structural and functional role of reefs constructed by the ecosystem engineer Lanice conchilega in natural soft substrate coastal ecosystems. To this end a combination of community analysis, stable isotope analysis, laboratory experiments and food web modeling was used. Additionally Bart has a great interest in science communication and outreach.
  • Keywords  (Flanders Marine Institute):<i>Lanice conchilega</i>, Biogenic reefs, Food webs, Intertidal sandy beach, Trophic interactions, Unknown