Postdoctoral Fellowship: OCE-PRF: Scaling up herbivore holobiont physiology from genes to populations across a temperate upwelling gradient

博士后奖学金：OCE-PRF：跨温带上升流梯度将食草动物全生物生理学从基因扩展到种群

• 批准号: 2308398
• 负责人: Nathan Spindel
• 金额: $ 34.2万
• 依托单位: San Jose State University Foundation
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2024
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2024-03-01 至 2026-02-28
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2308398&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Postdoctoral; Fellowship; OCE; PRF; Scaling

This project investigates the crucial role of herbivores in shaping temperate nearshore subtidal reefs and kelp forests, and the potential impacts of climate change on the balance between consumption by herbivores and growth by primary producers. By utilizing an upwelling gradient spanning coastal California as a natural laboratory, and controlled experiments, the study aims to deepen our understanding of the complex interacting effects of temperature and oxygen availability on herbivore physiology and performance. This research holds significant implications for advancing the field of ocean sciences, promoting the progress of science, and addressing the national interest. Herbivores, such as the chosen model organism Mesocentrotus franciscanus, play a fundamental role in maintaining the dynamics and productivity of marine ecosystems. The ecological, economic, and cultural importance of M. franciscanus makes it an ideal focal species for this investigation. Through in-situ observations, laboratory experiments, and functional 'omics' analyses, the project seeks to elucidate the physiological responses of M. franciscanus to temperature and oxygen variations. By quantifying individual-level herbivore energetics, population demographics, and community structure, the study will shed light on the intricate mechanisms underlying the relationship between climate change and herbivory in temperate ecosystems. These findings will not only advance our scientific knowledge but also have broader implications for ecosystem conservation and management strategies. Moreover, the project aligns with the Division of Ocean Sciences mission by addressing fundamental issues related to the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems. It supports education and diversity through partnerships with middle and high schools, undergraduate research opportunities, and public engagement initiatives. By engaging underrepresented minorities in STEM fields and broadening participation in scientific research, this project aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and enhance the diversity of the STEM workforce. Ultimately, this research serves the national interest by contributing to the progress of science, promoting the welfare of coastal communities, and fostering a sustainable approach to marine ecosystem management.This project encompasses a comprehensive investigation into the effects of temperature and oxygen availability on herbivory and its implications for temperate nearshore subtidal reefs and kelp forests. The research will be conducted along a temperate upwelling gradient in coastal California, encompassing diverse environmental conditions representative of this region. The study will combine in-situ observations, laboratory experiments, and functional 'omics' analyses to provide a multi-dimensional understanding of the effects of temperature and oxygen availability on herbivore physiology, grazing rates, and emergent population dynamics in kelp forests. The goals of the project include quantifying individual-level herbivore energetics, population demographics, and community structure in response to varying temperature and oxygen conditions. By integrating physiological measurements, population modeling, and community-level analyses, the project aims to unravel the underlying processes shaping the performance of M. franciscanus and its ecological consequences within temperate subtidal ecosystems. The functional 'omics' analyses will provide mechanistic insight into the gene expression patterns of the whole organism "holobiont" and the sea urchin microbiome, revealing the molecular mechanisms that drive herbivore responses to changing environmental conditions. The outcomes of this research will contribute new knowledge to the field by providing a comprehensive understanding of the physiological constraints on herbivory in temperate nearshore ecosystems. The project will enhance our understanding of the impacts of climate change on marine ecosystems, contribute to ecological modeling efforts, and inform conservation strategies for coastal regions. Furthermore, by engaging with middle and high school students, undergraduate researchers, and the general public through exhibits and outreach programs, this project will foster science education, broaden participation in STEM, and raise awareness about the importance of marine ecosystem conservation. The benefits of this project extend beyond academia, benefiting society by supporting the sustainable management of coastal resources and inspiring future generations to pursue scientific careers.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

本项目探讨了草食动物在温带近岸潮下珊瑚礁和海藻林形成中的关键作用，以及气候变化对草食动物消费和初级生产者生长之间平衡的潜在影响。通过利用横跨加利福尼亚沿海的上升流梯度作为自然实验室和对照实验，该研究旨在加深我们对温度和氧气可用性对食草动物生理和性能的复杂相互作用的理解。本研究对于推动海洋科学领域的发展，促进科学进步，解决国家利益问题具有重要意义。食草动物，如所选择的模式生物，在维持海洋生态系统的动态和生产力方面发挥着重要作用。其生态、经济和文化的重要性使其成为本次调查的理想焦点物种。通过现场观察、实验室实验和功能“组学”分析，该项目旨在阐明M. franciscanus对温度和氧气变化的生理反应。通过量化个体水平的草食动物能量学、种群统计和群落结构，该研究将揭示温带生态系统中气候变化与草食之间关系的复杂机制。这些发现不仅将推进我们的科学知识，而且对生态系统保护和管理策略具有更广泛的影响。此外，该项目通过解决与气候变化对海洋生态系统影响有关的基本问题，与海洋科学司的使命保持一致。它通过与初中和高中的合作、本科生研究机会和公众参与倡议来支持教育和多样性。通过让代表性不足的少数族裔参与STEM领域，并扩大他们对科学研究的参与，该项目旨在激励下一代科学家，增强STEM劳动力的多样性。最终，本研究通过促进科学进步、促进沿海社区福利和培养可持续的海洋生态系统管理方法，为国家利益服务。该项目包括对温度和氧气可用性对草食的影响及其对温带近岸潮下珊瑚礁和海带森林的影响的全面调查。该研究将沿着加利福尼亚沿海的温带上升流梯度进行，包括该地区具有代表性的各种环境条件。该研究将结合现场观察、实验室实验和功能“组学”分析，提供温度和氧气可用性对海带森林中草食动物生理、放牧率和新兴种群动态的影响的多维理解。该项目的目标包括量化个体水平的草食动物能量学、人口统计和群落结构对不同温度和氧气条件的响应。通过综合生理测量、种群建模和社区水平分析，该项目旨在揭示影响m.f anciscanus表现的潜在过程及其在温带潮下生态系统中的生态后果。功能“组学”分析将提供对整个有机体“全息生物”和海胆微生物群的基因表达模式的机制洞察，揭示驱动草食动物对不断变化的环境条件作出反应的分子机制。本研究结果将通过提供对温带近岸生态系统草食生理限制的全面理解，为该领域提供新的知识。该项目将加强我们对气候变化对海洋生态系统影响的认识，促进生态建模工作，并为沿海地区的保护战略提供信息。此外，通过展览和外展项目与初高中学生、本科生研究人员和公众进行接触，该项目将促进科学教育，扩大STEM的参与，并提高对海洋生态系统保护重要性的认识。该项目的效益超越了学术界，通过支持沿海资源的可持续管理，并激励后代追求科学事业，使社会受益。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。