Changing Microalgal Communities Research Programme

Changing Microalgal Communities is a 5-year collaborative research programme funded by MBIE Endeavour and led by Cawthron. The programme is about improving our knowledge of the microalgal communities around NZ, understanding the changes that are happening to those communities and the knock-on effects these changes can have.

The outcomes of the programme will be improved microalgal monitoring, forecasting and communication processes, which use the most up-to-date, fit-for-purpose tools and improved knowledge on the effects of microalgal changes on the surrounding ecosystem. This will underpin effective mitigation and restoration approaches that can be used by management agencies, coastal communities, and industry to protect our marine ecosystems, safeguard public health, and enable sustainable development of the blue economy.

Background

The oceans are warming, and our coastal environment is experiencing anthropogenic pressures that are reshaping microalgal communities. As the foundation of marine food webs and a substantial carbon sink, microalgal communities play a crucial role in marine ecosystem functioning and the blue economy, as well as influencing human recreational activities in and around the water. Microalgal community changes such as increased harmful algal blooms (HABs), decreases in beneficial species and the emergence of ‘ocean deserts’, threaten our marine ecosystems and have drastic ecosystem-level consequences. It is vital that we understand these evolving microalgal dynamics to enable effective management.

Our Research Programme ‘Changing Microalgal Communities’ will develop a holistic and functional understanding of microalgal community dynamics using state-of-the-art approaches, including omic techniques, novel sensing approaches and artificial intelligence. From this, we will optimise novel monitoring approaches and refine the reporting, accessibility and communication of information on HABs.

Assessing the impacts of HAB species on ecosystem and human health will underpin the development of guidelines for safe recreational use of coastal waters, create pathways for mitigation approaches and will aid iwi/hapū kaitiaki practitioners in the development of environmental management plans. Assessing how climate change impacts the physiology and nutritional quality of beneficial microalgae will inform industry planning and production practices. Microalgal forecasting by predictive models and incorporating spectral data from national- to local-scales will create new digital tools, enabling a real-time HAB alert system to reduce future impacts.

Our Programme will position Aotearoa to be proactive in prediction and management of these microalgal changes. The new tools will transform our ability to actively manage microalgal communities and develop effective mitigation strategies that protect marine ecosystems, safeguard public health and support sustainable development of the blue economy.