Understanding how marine organisms respond to multiple stressors is critical to face the challenges of Global Change. Macroalgae are essential to marine ecosystems, acting as primary producers, competitors, and ecosystem engineers that enhance coastal biodiversity. This master’s thesis investigates the impact of two major drivers of biodiversity change—non-indigenous species (NIS) and ocean warming—on macroalgae, focusing on the invasive brown seaweed Rugulopteryx okamurae and the native Dictyota dichotoma. R. okamurae, included in the EU’s list of invasive alien species, is expanding in the European coasts, dominating over local flora and reducing local biodiversity, among other negative impacts that have been registered. This study explores R. okamurae’s effects on D. dichotoma’s zygote development and compares the thermal tolerance landscape of both species through ramping temperature experiments. This research aims to enhance our understanding of macroalgae resilience under global change, providing insights into the thermal stress responses and potential future impacts on algal populations and ecosystem dynamics.
promotor/supervisor feedback
nothing yet
