Ecophysiology, Biomarkers & Sustainable Management of Bivalves
The Galician blue economy couldn't be understood without bivalves.
From mussels grown on the countless mussel farms found in 'rias' (estuaries) to scallops and clams, bivalves are one of the keystones of the region's aquaculture. Their strategic importance calls for the comprehensive study of ecological interactions of farmed bivalves to assess the effects that climate change could have on their culture and to develop new and more sustainable tools for aquaculture management.
Following this line of work, the IIM-CSIC's Ecophysiology, Biomarkers & Sustainable Management of Bivalves group (also known as 'EsMaBa') researches this strategic field of study, with a particular focus on mussels (Mytilus spp.).
The research team works to understand the ecophysiology of bivalves, that is, how their physiology is affected by environmental conditions, and to develop new methods for the continuous measurement of ecological parameters surrounding farmed animals, such as valvometry. For instance, the group studies the biochemistry of bivalve secretions, such as byssus or shells, and how the environment determines their strength, a key factor, particularly to ensure proper attachment of mussels to culture raft ropes.
Based on these ecophysiological studies, the group is able to determine the impact of climate and global change, bioinvasions or other threats on exploited bivalve species, as well as to model ecosystem carrying capacity, thus generating new aquaculture management tools with an ecosystem perspective.
