Thibaut de Bettignies

Supervisors

PhD Project

Source and Supply of seaweed wrack to adjacent habitat

Funding

Outline

Storms periodically dislodge seaweeds, such as the kelp Ecklonia radiata, from the reefs where they grow. The dislodged seaweed (wrack) subsequently forms a significant trophic subsidy to a range of organisms in adjacent habitats. The processes that control the dislodgement of the algae from reefs control the supply of wrack, and this has implications for the magnitude of the trophic connection among habitats. The aim of this project is to identify and quantify the processes that control the delivery of kelp wrack from reefs to adjacent habitats and, ultimately, to model wrack delivery under different environmental conditions. This Research project is supported by the Western Australian Marine Science Institution (WAMSI) and involves collaboration with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation - Marine and Atmospheric Research (CSIRO).

Qualifications

M.Sc. Oceanography and Marine Environment, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, France (2007)
University Diploma in Underwater Marine Biology and Ecology, Université Rennes 1, France (2006)
B.Sc. Biology of marine Organisms, Université Rennes 1, France (2005)
B.Sc. Cellular Biology and Molecular Physiology, Université de Montreal, Canada (2004)

Past Research

Influence of Sesarmid crabs (Parasesarma erythodactyla) on pore-water sulfide concentration in Rhizophora sp. mangal ecosystem - evaluation of the proposed positive ecosystem function in minimising sediment sulfide concentrations; The Australian River Institute » Griffith University - Gold Coast Campus, Australia (Master Thesis, 2007):
In mangal ecosystems most of the organic matter bacterial degradation is realized by reducing sulfate to sulfide. However dissolved sulfide species are known to be phytotoxic. Current hypotheses on crab impact proposes positive ecosystem function in minimising pore-water sediment sulfide concentrations thanks to burrow construction and maintenance. A recent technique of diffusive gradients in thin films computer-imaging densitometry was used for the first time to answer to such ecological question. This method provided a high resolution, 2D (vertical and lateral) representation of sulfide dissolved in pore-waters.

Modulation of the host-pathogenic interaction: Ruditapes philippinarum - Perkinsus olseni by toxic Dinoflagellé, Karenia selliformis;  LEMAR (Marine Environment Laboratory), Marine European Institute (IUEM), Brest, France (2006).

Thibaut de Bettignies