MEDBBHub

Connecting Innovation: the Mediterranean network of Blue Biotechnology Hubs

Marine Ecology Lab-Biology department of the University of Crete

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Name:
Marine Ecology Lab-Biology department of the University of Crete

Address:
Voutes University Campus Postal Code: 70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece

e-Mail address:
secretary@rector.uoc.gr, rethsecr@uoc.gr

Website:
https://www.biology.uoc.gr/index.php/en/

Brief description of the organization’s activities:
The mission of the Marine Ecology Lab (MEL) is to promote the understanding of patterns and processes in marine ecosystems and the mechanisms involved in the maintenance and change of marine biodiversity. The outcome of this research becomes available to the scientific community, to undergraduate and postgraduate students and the general public. To this end, MEL is involved in research projects, and other academic initiatives on various aspects of marine ecology and biological oceanography mainly in the Mediterranean, covering both basic and applied research.
In the framework of this research MEL staff works in close collaboration with a large number of scientists from different institutes, countries and disciplines, participating in international networks, working groups of international organizations and ad hoc scientific initiatives.

Sector(s) of involvement:
Aquaculture and fisheries technologies; Waste valorization; Bioremediation, ecosystem restoration, climate change mitigation and other environmental biotechnology; Circular economyYes

Role of the organization in the development and/or application of Blue Biotechnologies:
During the past years MEL staff has participated in or has coordinated research projects and other scientific actions related to four different theme areas:
Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA)​
Sustainable management and policy making for aquaculture
Biodiversity and ecosystem function of marine environment
Climate change and anthropogenic effects on marine habitats
Indicators for Good Environmental Status
Coordinated IDMA project for restorative/regenerative aquaculture.

Skills and services provided:
Theme areas
​Sustainable management and policy making for aquaculture:
Intergrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (IMTA)​
Environmental interactions of aquaculture
Site selection, spatial planning and carrying capacity

Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture development:
Identify suitable sites for IMTA cultures
Devellopment and instalation of pilot IMTA cages
Assessment of IMTA co-culture of Mussels, Pearl Oyesters, Holothurians and other species
Environmental effects of IMTA
Food safety for the cultured organisms

Biodiversity and ecosystem function of marine environment:
Biodiversity and ecosystem function in disturbed marine environments
Benthic-pelagic coupling in coastal marine ecosystems
Integrated research on marine ecosystems to identify similarities, differences and interdependences among different components of these systems
Benthic Ecology in the Eastern Mediterranean
Experimental research through benthic mesocosm experiments

Climate change and anthropogenic effects on marine habitats:
Invasive species in the Mediterranean
Microplastics in the marine environment
Heavy metals in the marine environment
Hypoxia in the Mediterranean
Indicators for Good Environmental Status

Development/calibration of ecological indicators:
Application of different indicators in the frames of WFD and MSFD
Metaanalysis of benthic data

Needs in terms of research, innovation, development, and/or application of blue biotechnologies:
Fundind/ Networking/ Collaboration

Skills

Posted on

20 January 2025