Harmful Effects of Anthropogenic HeaTwaves on lagoon bivalves, fishermen, and ecosystems
Acronym
HEAT
Kick off
2025 Ongoing
Scientific leader
Pagliarino Elena
Lead partner of the project
Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima, sede di Cagliari, coordinatore scientifico del progetto Antonio Olita
Funding organization
CNR-DSSTTA nell’ambito del bando Scientific Transdisciplinary Unexplored Paths for Innovative Research on Environment (STUPIRE)
Abstract
The HEAT project aims to enhance understanding of how marine heatwaves (MHWs), including sediment heatwaves (SHWs), affect temperature-related physiological traits (e.g. oxygen consumption) of two commercially important lagoon species: the native clam Ruditapes decussatus and the non-native Ruditapes philippinarum.
Given the socio-economic relevance of coastal lagoons, HEAT will also assess the impacts of MHWs on the fishing industry dependent on these species and on the livelihoods of local communities. In addition, the project will investigate the direct effects of atmospheric heatwaves (AHWs) and surface thermal anomalies on workers’ welfare.
Overall, HEAT is expected to support the development of sustainable management strategies while strengthening the resilience of coastal lagoon ecosystems and the human communities that depend on them.
Within the project, IRCrES-CNR will carry out the following activities:
– Analysis of the impact of heatwaves on the livelihoods of local communities, through an investigation of stakeholders’ perceptions and perspectives;
– Study of the local clam industry and the effects of heatwaves on production and market dynamics, including organizational, procedural, and economic changes.
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