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H2020Staff exchange2018–2023

GYPWORLD · A global initiative to understand gypsum ecosystem ecology

Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

Duration
2018-01-01 → 2023-10-31
EU contribution
€724,500
Participants
19
Scheme
MSCA-RISE

Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.

Results in brief

A global initiative to understand gypsum ecosystem ecology

Gypsum soils occur worldwide and represent natural laboratories of evolution and ecology. The unusual mineral content of gypsum soils is a significant barrier to the growth of most plants, and yet these soils host highly diverse endemic floras that have evolved independently on five continents. Nevertheless, these ecosystems are poorly understood compared to those of other unusual substrates. Little is known about the conservation status of gypsum floras, the potential impact of climate change on them, and their responses to mitigation and restoration. ​The GYPWORLD project has performed an integrated global study of the ecology and evolution of plant and lichen life on gypsum, including nine gypsum-rich regions from five continents that differ in geological origin, climate, and flora. In particular, the project has aimed to: ​Assess the plant and lichen diversity of gypsum Investigate the evolutionary origins and assembly of these floras Evaluate potential adaptive mechanisms on gypsum, the functional structure of gypsum plant and lichen communities, and the processes regulating gypsum ecosystem function Analyse the responses of gypsum communities to global change drivers and explore how gypsum ecosystem restoration/conservation may help mitigate the effects of global change Promote the study of gypsum ecosystems; and Communicate the ecological and conservation value of these ecosystems to the public. http://gypworld.com/about-gypworld-project/

Data: CORDIS, © European Union

Project objective

Gypsum soils occur worldwide and represent natural laboratories of evolution and ecology. The unusual mineral content of gypsum soils is a significant barrier to the growth of most plants, and yet these soils host highly diverse endemic floras that have evolved independently on five continents. Nevertheless, these ecosystems are poorly understood compared to those of other unusual substrates. Little is known about the conservation status of gypsum floras, the potential impact of climate change on them, and their responses to mitigation and restoration. We propose an integrated global study of the ecology and evolution of plant and lichen life on gypsum, including eight gypsum-rich regions from four continents that differ in geological origin, climate, and flora. We will 1) assess the plant and lichen diversity of gypsum; 2) investigate the evolutionary origins and assembly of these floras; 3) evaluate potential adaptive mechanisms on gypsum, the functional structure of gypsum plant and lichen communities, and the processes regulating gypsum ecosystem function; 4) analyse the responses of gypsum communities to global change drivers and explore how gypsum ecosystem restoration/conservation may help mitigate the effects of global change; 5) promote the study of gypsum ecosystems; and 6) communicate the ecological and conservation value of these ecosystems to the public. With the involvement of gypsum experts from 18 academic and non-academic organizations from 11 countries, this project provides an innovative, integrative, and interdisciplinary approach to address key questions in gypsum ecosystem ecology, evolution, and management. The project thus strengthens existing international collaborative networks and consolidates Europe’s leadership in gypsum ecosystem research, including management and conservation plans and the identification of traits for crop improvement on gypsum soils, enhancing its attractiveness as a leading destination for related R&D

Original text from CORDIS.

Participants

  • AGENCIA ESTATAL CONSEJO SUPERIOR DE INVESTIGACIONES CIENTIFICAS · MadridCoordinatorSpain
  • ANKARA UNIVERSITESI · Tandogan AnkaraTürkiye
  • ANOIKTO PANEPISTIMIO KYPROU (OPEN UNIVERSITY OF CYPRUS) · LefkosiaCyprus
  • DEPARTMENT OF BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND ATTRACTIONS · Bentley Delivery CentreAustralia
  • FERDOWSI UNIVERSITY OF MASHHAD · MASHHADIran
  • JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY · University HeightsUnited States
  • NOORDWES-UNIVERSITEIT · PotchefstroomSouth Africa
  • OBERLIN COLLEGE · OberlinUnited States
  • TARBIAT MODARES UNIVERSITY (INSTRUCTOR'S TRAINING UNIVERSITY) · TEHRANIran
  • The Regents of New Mexico State University · Las CrucesUnited States
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE ALMERIA · ALMERIASpain
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE CONCEPCION · ConcepcionChile
  • UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL AUTONOMA DE MEXICO (UNAM) · CIUDAD DE MEXICOMexico
  • UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE LA PAMPA · Santa RosaArgentina
  • UNIVERSIDAD REY JUAN CARLOS · MostolesSpain
  • UNIVERSIDADE DE COIMBRA · CoimbraPortugal
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI MEDITERRANEA DI REGGIO CALABRIA · Reggio CalabriaItaly
  • UNIVERSITY OF TEHRAN · TEHRANIran
  • YPOURGEIO GEORGIAS, AGROTIKIS ANAPTYXIS KAI PERIVALLONTOS · NicosiaCyprus

Links

Data: CORDIS, © European Union