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.

该项目调查了食草动物在塑造温带近海底层礁和海带森林中的关键作用，以及气候变化对草食动物消费与主要生产者生长之间平衡的潜在影响。通过利用跨越加利福尼亚沿海地区的上升梯度作为自然实验室，并进行了受控实验，该研究旨在加深我们对温度和氧气可用性对草食动物生理学和性能的复杂相互作用的理解。这项研究对推进海洋科学领域，促进科学进步并解决国家利益具有重要意义。食草动物，例如所选的模型生物中心植物，在维持海洋生态系统的动态和生产力方面发挥了基本作用。方济各学枝杆菌的生态，经济和文化重要性使其成为这项研究的理想焦点。通过原位观察，实验室实验和功能性“ OMICS”分析，该项目旨在阐明方济各花道公司对温度和氧气变化的生理反应。通过量化个人水平的草食动物能量学，人口人群和社区结构，该研究将阐明温带生态系统中气候变化与草食性之间关系的复杂机制。这些发现不仅会推进我们的科学知识，而且还将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的影响相关的基本问题，与海洋科学任务的部门保持一致。它通过与中学和高中，本科研究机会以及公共参与计划的合作伙伴关系来支持教育和多样性。通过使代表性不足的少数民族参与STEM领域并扩大了对科学研究的参与，该项目旨在激发下一代科学家并增强STEM劳动力的多样性。最终，这项研究通过促进科学进步，促进沿海社区的福利并促进了对海洋生态系统管理的可持续方法来促进国家的利益。该项目涵盖了对温度和氧气可用性对草药的影响的全面调查，以及对温和近海近海tidal referp referp referps and Kelp sellp sellp sellp sellp sellp sellps and Kelp sellps and Kelp sellps的影响。这项研究将沿加利福尼亚沿海的温带上升梯度进行，其中包括代表该地区的各种环境条件。该研究将结合原位观察结果，实验室实验和功能性“ OMICS”分析，以提供对温度和氧的可用性对草食动物生理学的影响，放牧率以及海角森林中新兴种群动态的多维理解。该项目的目标包括量化个体水平的草食动物能量学，人口人群和社区结构，以应对不同的温度和氧气状况。通过整合生理测量，人群建模和社区水平的分析，该项目旨在揭示塑造Franciscanus及其在温带下端生态系统中的生态后果的基本过程。功能性的“ OMICS”分析将提供对整个生物体“ Holobiont”和Sea Hilchin微生物组的基因表达模式的机械洞察力，从而揭示了驱动草食动物对不断变化环境条件的反应的分子机制。这项研究的结果将通过对温带近岸生态系统中草食生物的生理约束提供全面的理解，从而为该领域提供新的知识。该项目将增强我们对气候变化对海洋生态系统的影响的理解，有助于生态建模工作，并为沿海地区的保护策略提供信息。此外，通过与中学和高中生，本科研究人员和公众通过展览和外展计划互动，该项目将促进科学教育，扩大参与STEM并提高人们对海洋生态系统保护重要性的认识。该项目的好处范围超出了学术界，通过支持沿海资源的可持续管理并激发后代从事科学职业的益处。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并被认为值得通过基金会的知识分子优点和更广泛的影响评估来通过评估来获得支持。