{"id":2153,"date":"2023-07-25T09:34:30","date_gmt":"2023-07-25T07:34:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eeb.unipa.it\/research\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T15:51:16","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T13:51:16","slug":"research","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/eeb.unipa.it\/en\/research\/","title":{"rendered":"Research"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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A \u201cdriver\u201d is any natural or anthropogenic factor that directly or indirectly causes changes in an ecosystem.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Human actions on the environment are complex and manifest through the alteration of ecosystem structure and functioning, with modifications that affect the rates of synthesis and production of biological structures, the characteristics of chemical compositions, the flows of energy and matter, population and community processes and, ultimately, biodiversity. Most ecosystem characteristics rest upon general theories that provide explicit predictions regarding ecosystem functioning processes. However, most current ecosystem theories are able to explain variations and changes due to natural drivers, while it is often difficult to predict the portion of unforeseen variability caused by human action. This residual variation is measurable as deviation from theoretical predictions and this can provide clues for explaining its causes. Within this framework, the central question guiding the research carried out in the Ecology Laboratory at the Department of Earth and Marine Sciences (DiSTeM), University of Palermo, is how natural drivers and the residual variability caused by human activities interact to shape ecosystem dynamics\u2014from single species to entire communities. Consequently, any form of \u201chuman pressure\u201d on aquatic ecosystems capable of \u201cdiverting their natural patterns\u201d of processes and functioning draws our attention. In our Lab we study the effects of chemical contamination, the alteration caused by physical pressure (e.g., acoustic or thermal pollution) and the effects due to global changes (increase in temperature and CO\u2082), ranging from benthic sessile organisms to large pelagics and from mobile-soft-bottom environments to rocky intertidal and subtidal habitats. To do this, we use different approaches and tools including the study of energy and matter flows through different compartments, the study of the behavioural traits of the organisms involved in food acquisition, habitat use, predation and mating, and key physiological traits involved in the organisms\u2019 energy budget. Members of the Laboratory \u2014 from undergraduate students to post-doctoral researchers \u2014 actively engage in these topics with scientific rigor, curiosity, and a strong innovative spirit. They are encouraged to pursue independent and creative research within the framework of broad and relevant ecological theories. Everyone is expected to write about their research, starting from undergraduates, and so it is a great privilege for me to have people with the desire to grow culturally and publish their ideas in leading international journals.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The Ecology Laboratory at the University of Palermo, directed by Prof. Gianluca Sar\u00e0, is distinguished by its interdisciplinary approach to studying the interactions between aquatic organisms, coastal ecosystems, and both natural and anthropogenic stressors. The laboratory integrates experimental methodologies, ecological modelling, and advanced analytical techniques to address key ecological challenges related to climate change, sustainable aquaculture, and biodiversity conservation. Its main mission is to understand the mechanisms that regulate marine and coastal ecosystems, providing a solid scientific basis for the sustainable management of natural resources.<\/p>\n

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Main Research Lines and Methodologies:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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  • Effects of climate change<\/strong> on the physiological and ecological responses of marine organisms through bioenergetic approaches;<\/li>\n
  • Aquaculture ecology<\/strong>, with particular attention to the impact of farming practices on surrounding ecosystems;<\/li>\n
  • Studies on invasive species<\/strong>, analysing their effects on biodiversity and competition with native species;<\/li>\n
  • Ecotoxicology and biomagnification<\/strong>, using innovative techniques to monitor contaminants in key matrices and within trophic networks;<\/li>\n
  • Ecological modelling (mechanistic and correlative)<\/strong> to predict the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on marine and coastal ecosystems, as well as the future distribution of marine organisms;<\/li>\n
  • Monitoring of metabolism and functional traits<\/strong> of aquatic organisms through non-invasive techniques;<\/li>\n
  • Study of trophic structure<\/strong> and community dynamics in marine and brackish ecosystems.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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    Main Ecosystems Investigated:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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    • Mediterranean coastal ecosystems;<\/li>\n
    • Intertidal and subtidal habitats;<\/li>\n
    • Coastal lagoons and ponds;<\/li>\n
    • Polar ecosystems and extreme environments;<\/li>\n
    • Marine protected areas;<\/li>\n
    • Transitional environments;<\/li>\n
    • Ecosystems influenced by aquaculture practices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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      Research A \u201cdriver\u201d is any natural or anthropogenic factor that directly or indirectly causes changes in an ecosystem. Human actions on the environment are complex and manifest through the alteration of ecosystem structure and functioning, with modifications that affect the rates of synthesis and production of biological structures, the characteristics of chemical compositions, the flows […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2153","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.unipa.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2153","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.unipa.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.unipa.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.unipa.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.unipa.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2153"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.unipa.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2153\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2163,"href":"https:\/\/eeb.unipa.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2153\/revisions\/2163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eeb.unipa.it\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2153"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}