[Coral-List] Call for Abstracts ICRS 2020: What is the role of benthic holobionts and free-living microbes in element recycling and overall ecosystem functioning?

[Benjamin Mueller]

Dearcolleagues, 

we wouldlike to invite you to submit an abstract for an oral or poster presentations toour session “What is the role of benthic holobionts and free-living microbes inelement recycling and overall ecosystem functioning?” under session theme 3 “Ecosystemfunctions and services”.

Submissiondeadline is September 1st and details on abstract guidelines can be found at http://www.icrs2020.de/program/call-for-abstracts/

Please feelfree to contact us if you have any further questions regarding our session.

 

Sessionabstract:

Sincethe first description of coral reefs it remains an enigma how such diverse andproductive ecosystems can flourish in nutrient-poor waters, the equivalent to amarine dessert. It is becoming increasingly evident that certain elementrecycling pathways mediated by benthic holobionts (host plus associatedmicrobiota) and free-living microbes play key roles in ecosystem functioning.For example, the transformation of dissolved organic matter (DOM; the largest,yet largely unavailable food source) to particles via the respective microbialand sponge loop reduce the loss of elements stored in this DOM to the openocean and is considered pivotal to sustain reefs under oligotrophic conditions.However, global and local stressors cause shifts in benthic communities andaffect levels and composition of organic and inorganic nutrients, as well asthe stoichiometry of elements in reef waters. Efficient element recyclingpathways that initially allowed reefs to evolve under nutrient-poor conditions,are now hypothesized to reinforce ongoing benthic shifts and the deteriorationof these systems. Recent examples are the accumulation of microbial biomass atthe expense of element transfer to higher trophic levels("microbialization") and the release of organic and inorganicnutrients by sponges ("vicious circle"). Both theories suggest tostimulate an increase in opportunistic microbes causing low oxygen levels anddetrimental effects on coral health, and to further fuel algal growth. Thissession invites abstracts on the latest findings on organic and inorganicelement cycling by benthic holobionts and free-living microbes and their rolein ecosystem function. The aim is to bring together studies from organism toecosystem levels assessing the current status, making future projections, anddiscussing possible management interventions. Contributions from mangrove,seagrass, and deep-sea environments are encouraged to foster a broadinterdisciplinary exchange.

 

We hope to see you in Bremen next year!

 

The session chairs

 

Benjamin Mueller (University of Amsterdam)

Martha Ribes (Institut de Ciències del Mar)

CynthiaSilveira (San Diego StateUniversity)

Jasper de Goeij (Universityof Amsterdam)


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Dr. Benjamin Mueller
Marine Biologist

University of Amsterdam (UvA)Department of Freshwater and Marine EcologyInstitute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED)
Science Park 904P.O. Box 94248, AmsterdamThe Netherlands
Phone:  +31 649883575Mail: muellerb at ymail.com
Web: www.uva.nl