BIOACID (Biological Impacts of Ocean Acidification), the German national project on ocean acidification, has been extended for a second 3-year phase starting on September 1st 2012. Building on the knowledge gained during phase 1, BIOACID II will aim at community level responses to ocean acidification, their ecosystem and biogeochemical consequences and socio-economic impacts.
Research will focus on five major topics:
• Pelagic ecosystems under ocean acidification: ecological, biogeochemical, and evolutionary responses
• Responses of benthic assemblages to interactive stress.
• Natural CO2-rich reefs as windows into the future: Acclimatization of marine life to long-term ocean acidification and consequences for biogeochemical cycle.
• Effects of ocean acidification in a warming climate on species interactions at distribution boundaries: mechanisms and consequences at ecosystem level
• Services of the ocean
Funded by the German Ministry for Education and Science (BMBF) with a total budget of 8.77 Mio. € over the coming three years, the project combines 14 research institutes and universities across Germany. BIOACID research and dissemination activities will be closely coordinated with those of other projects and initiatives addressing ocean acidification (OA), including the UK Ocean Acidification Research Programme (UKOA), the International OA Reference User Group (iOA-RUG) and the OA International Coordination Centre (OA-ICC).
