Analysing the links between microclimate, individual performance and climate-driven range shifts in intertidal ectotherms

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Determining impacts of climate change on natural systems is one of the most important global research challenges for the 21st century. Poleward range shifts of marine species from a range of thermal origins are occurring in the biogeographic transition zone between boreal and Lusitanian waters that bisect the UK. Intertidal communities exist within a transition zone between terrestrial and marine environments, and are exposed to a large, diurnal tidal fluctuation of their thermal environment. Many native intertidal species within populations close to their biogeographic range limits are existing at, or close to thermal tolerance limits, and are therefore being strongly impacted by continuing climate change. The leading range edges of ecological engineer species from Lusitanian, warmer water origins are expanding around the coastline of the UK in response to the warming marine climate. This project will investigate how the thermal performances of individual organisms, exposed to changing microclimate on the rocky shore scale up to biogeographic-scale range shifts in response to global climate change.