English name: Phycology research group
Parent institute: Universiteit Gent; Faculteit Wetenschappen; Vakgroep Biologie (UGent), more
Thesaurus terms (6) : Algae; Benthos; Nekton; Plankton; Seaweeds; Taxonomy
MRG keywords (7) : Alien species; Biodiversity; Ecosystem functioning; Microbiology; Molecular biology; Phycology; Taxonomy
Taxonomic terms (4) : Algae; Echinodermata [WoRMS]; Fungi [WoRMS]; Halymeniaceae Bory, 1828 [WoRMS]
Geographical terms (2) : ANE, Netherlands, Delta Area [Marine Regions]; ANE, North Sea [Marine Regions]
Address:
Campus De Sterre, S8
Krijgslaan 281
9000 Gent
Belgium
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Tel.: +32-(0)9-264 85 00
Fax: +32-(0)9-264 85 99
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Type: Scientific
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1 Director: Head of the department 2 Marine scientist: Works in this research group and acts as (co-)author in at least one marine publication in the last 5 years. 3 Specialized personnel: Provides administrative or technical support to marine scientific research.
| Person formerly associated with this organization |
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| Abstract: |
The Phycology research group was founded at the end of the 1990s under its former name 'laboratory of Morphology, Ecology and Plant Systematics'. The research undertaken by the laboratory has gradually evolved from descriptive floristics and taxonomic studies towards biogeography, diversification, developmental biology and genomics of marine macroalgae (seaweed). More specifically, the following themes are studied:
- development and life cycle control of seaweeds: the mechanisms and genetics governing fertility and growth are studied in a number of model organisms (e.g. Ulva, Dictyota, Porphyra, Palmaria) making use of a combination of genetic and genomics techniques and culture-based experiments;
- evolutionary dynamics and biogeography: the macroevolutionary studies aim at answering the question regarding the evolutionary success or decline of algal groups. This includes studying the relevant biological, environmental and geological data in a phylogenetic context;
- bacteria-algae interactions: the study of the identity and the role of prokaryote symbionts of green and brown algae, in collaboration with the laboratory of Microbiology (UGent);
- spatial and temporal analysis of communities and the variation of species: the acquisition and integration of spatial data in relation to the marine environment and the application to ecological, biogeographical and evolutionary questions (ecological niche modelling, remote sensing of spatial and temporal changes in seaweed communities);
- taxonomy and diversity: the group has extensive experience in this research domain and remains committed to this discipline, focusing on DNA research and statistical morphometrics;
- invasive biology: the group uses correlative and mechanistic modelling techniques to predict the spread and eventual range of invasive marine macroalgae. The latter technique makes use of physiological data related to growth under different environmental conditions.
Regarding their future services, the group would like to play a leading role in development of a seaweed aquaculture sector in Europe. Furthermore, the Phycology research group participates in both Belgian and international research projects and collaborates with several research groups worldwide. |
| Projects (4) |
Top | Person | Dataset |
- AMIS: General Environmental Impact Study (AMIS) : vegetation and vegetation modelling, more
- BeRMS: Belgian Register of Marine & Coastal Species, more
- Niet-inheemse soorten in het Belgisch deel van de Noordzee en omliggende estuaria, more
- TIDESED: Time-dependent changes in the optical properties of sediments detected with remote sensing, more
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