Synthetic Ecology for the management and commercial exploitation of freshwater ecosystems

Lead Research Organisation: University of Cambridge
Department Name: Zoology

Abstract

Theme: Agriculture and Food Security

In collaboration with members of the Plant Sciences Department a concept paper (Kazamia et al., 2013) was developed on how we can use our understanding of ecosystem processes to push a system towards a desirable end-point. The aim is to seed a system with key components, which are therefore likely to stabilise towards a desirable end point. We have the potential to use bivalve moullscs, allelopathic substances, competitors and synergists, or limiting nutrients to intentionally alter communities. This might, for example, allow us to gain clear water (i.e. standard biomanipulation), move a system towards a lipid rich algal community for biofuel production, or create conditions that are particularly favourable or unfavourable for a threatened or invasive organism respectively. Studies can combine laboratory studies with scaled-up mesocosms and full scale trials with the water industry.

This project has the potential to utilise systems biology and modelling to emulate ecosystem interactions and predict the stable climax communities which may arise under a range of different environmental conditions and species diversities. The project will certainly require the use of statistical analysis and modelling which can be achieved by using programmes such as R Studio and MatLab.

Studentship Projects

Project Reference Relationship Related To Start End Student Name
BB/M011194/1 30/09/2015 31/03/2024
1804793 Studentship BB/M011194/1 30/09/2016 31/12/2020 Sam Reynolds
 
Description Poster Presentation 
Form Of Engagement Activity A talk or presentation
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Local
Primary Audience Postgraduate students
Results and Impact Presented a poster of my research to the wider Cambridge Zoology department. Both postgraduates and academics.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019
 
Description Zoology Alumni open day 
Form Of Engagement Activity Participation in an activity, workshop or similar
Part Of Official Scheme? No
Geographic Reach Regional
Primary Audience Public/other audiences
Results and Impact Zoology Alumni open day. We gave a short talk about the research we are undertaking in the lab to past alumni.
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity 2019