Biodiversity and Calcification in Scottish and Polar Bryozoans and the Potential Implications of Climate

Change on these Communities Jen Loxton, J Porter, P Kuklinski, P Cowie, J Mair, M Spencer Jones

Oct 2010 - ~Oct 2013

This MASTS PhD concentrates on the effects of seawater temperature, pH, salinity and carbonate saturation on Scottish and Polar bryozoans by examining:

• Mineralogy of calcium carbonate skeletons• Ultrastructure of calcium carbonate• Growth rates• Biodiversity

Benthic organisms such as bryozoans are crucial components of ecosystems and by completing analysis of vulnerability of Scottish and Polar bryozoans to changes in environmental conditions we will be in a far better position to gauge the potential future impacts of climate change on benthic marine communities