The projectinvestigates how climate change affects the biomass, composition, and seasonaldynamics of zooplankton communities in the coastal waters of the southernAdriatic. During the first year, monthly sampling will be conducted at theLokrum station; in the second year, seasonal research will be carried out inthe Mljet lakes, while in the third year autumn and winter research will takeplace at Lake Mir (Dugi Otok). The sampling will include vertical profilesabove and below the thermocline in order to identify changes in biomass,abundance, and taxonomic composition of the communities, with special emphasison the occurrence of thermophilic and allochthonous species associated withrising sea temperatures. The research integrates classical morphologicalmethods with molecular approaches (metabarcoding), enabling detailed andreliable species identification. In parallel, physical and chemical parametersof the sea will be monitored, including temperature, salinity, and nutrientconcentrations. Statistical analysis will include correlation analyses andmultivariate approaches to determine the relationships between environmentalfactors and changes in plankton communities. The results will provide insightinto possible scenarios of pelagic ecosystem responses to climate change andrepresent an important contribution to regional and international frameworksfor monitoring and conserving the marine environment.
Budget: 62.730,18 EUR
Project duration: 01.10.2025. – 30.09.2029.
Project leader: dr. sc. Rade Garić
Team members: dr. sc. Mirna Batistić
prof. dr. sc. Martin Lazar
doc. dr. sc. Iris Dupčić Radić
dr. sc. Jakica Njire
Nika Pasković, mag. biol.
Marija Rusković, mag. biol.
