ZMT - Leibniz Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung

2.5.17 | The Leibniz Association has awarded a grant of almost one million euros to a research project on mangroves, which will collect data in tropical regions around the globe. The project makes use of state-of-the-art molecular biological methods, which will be used for the first time in this combination to study the mangrove ecosystem. The large-scale, three-year project is coordinated by the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT).

The objective of the project is to understand how the services of mangrove forests for humans and the environment are related to the condition and change in their flora and fauna. Using state-of-the-art molecular biological methods, such as metabarcoding and metagenomics, the species composition and metabolism of animals and microorganisms in the sediment of the mangrove forests shall be determined. Instead of classifying hundreds of animal species by their appearance, this technique allows conclusions to be drawn about the biodiversity of the region using DNA traces.

The researchers will also focus on the microorganisms – the bacteria, fungi and algae – which live in the muddy sediment of the mangroves. Metagenomic methods can also identify species that cannot be kept in culture. The fallen leaves of the mangrove trees – they cast off up to three kilograms of leaves per square meter annually – supply nutrients to these microbes, which in turn drive complex ecosystem processes. Ultimately, numerous local and global ecosystem services of the mangroves depend on these processes in the sediment.

The project spans the entire globe and covers a wide variety of vegetation types of mangrove forests. Colombia, Brazil, South Africa, Oman, Singapore and Australia are just some of the stations that the researchers will be heading to. "Perhaps the most challenging task will be to take sterile sediment samples in the mud of the mangroves in sultry heat or streaming monsoon rain, which are not microbially contaminated and produce adulterated results," said Martin Zimmer, professor of Mangrove Ecology at the ZMT and director of the joint project.

The research bundles the expertise of four institutions of the Leibniz Association. In addition to the ZMT, the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) in Dresden, the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) in Halle, and the Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures in Braunschweig are involved.

“We also plan to incorporate socio-economic studies on the human use of mangroves. The scope of the research project spans the spectrum from microbial processes in the sediment to sustainable use by humans,” said Martin Zimmer. “Ultimately, our findings shall contribute to the worldwide protection of this valuable ecosystem.”

Along with coral reefs and tropical rainforests, mangroves are among the most productive ecosystems on earth. In the general perception they are still quite underestimated, although they fulfil immensely important tasks. Mangrove forests store enormous amounts of carbon and nitrogen in their sediments, thus contributing significantly to climate protection. They protect coasts from storm surges and erosion and with their food resources protect the coastal population from having to migrate. However, up to eight percent of the mangrove area worldwide is lost each year through clearing and deforestation.

To the project...The Leibniz Association has awarded a grant of almost one million euros to a research project on mangroves, which will collect data in tropical regions around the globe. The project makes use of state-of-the-art molecular biological methods, which will be used for the first time in this combination to study the mangrove ecosystem. The large-scale, three-year project is coordinated by the Leibniz Centre for Tropical Marine Research (ZMT).

The objective of the project is to understand how the services of mangrove forests for humans and the environment are related to the condition and change in their flora and fauna. Using state-of-the-art molecular biological methods, such as metabarcoding and metagenomics, the species composition and metabolism of animals and microorganisms in the sediment of the mangrove forests shall be determined. Instead of classifying hundreds of animal species by their appearance, this technique allows conclusions to be drawn about the biodiversity of the region using DNA traces.

The researchers will also focus on the microorganisms – the bacteria, fungi and algae – which live in the muddy sediment of the mangroves. Metagenomic methods can also identify species that cannot be kept in culture. The fallen leaves of the mangrove trees – they cast off up to three kilograms of leaves per square meter annually – supply nutrients to these microbes, which in turn drive complex ecosystem processes. Ultimately, numerous local and global ecosystem services of the mangroves depend on these processes in the sediment.

The project spans the entire globe and covers a wide variety of vegetation types of mangrove forests. Colombia, Brazil, South Africa, Oman, Singapore and Australia are just some of the stations that the researchers will be heading to. "Perhaps the most challenging task will be to take sterile sediment samples in the mud of the mangroves in sultry heat or streaming monsoon rain, which are not microbially contaminated and produce adulterated results," said Martin Zimmer, professor of Mangrove Ecology at the ZMT and director of the joint project.

The research bundles the expertise of four institutions of the Leibniz Association. In addition to the ZMT, the Leibniz Institute of Ecological Urban and Regional Development (IOER) in Dresden, the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry (IPB) in Halle, and the Leibniz Institute DSMZ – German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures in Braunschweig are involved.

“We also plan to incorporate socio-economic studies on the human use of mangroves. The scope of the research project spans the spectrum from microbial processes in the sediment to sustainable use by humans,” said Martin Zimmer. “Ultimately, our findings shall contribute to the worldwide protection of this valuable ecosystem.”

Along with coral reefs and tropical rainforests, mangroves are among the most productive ecosystems on earth. In the general perception they are still quite underestimated, although they fulfil immensely important tasks. Mangrove forests store enormous amounts of carbon and nitrogen in their sediments, thus contributing significantly to climate protection. They protect coasts from storm surges and erosion and with their food resources protect the coastal population from having to migrate. However, up to eight percent of the mangrove area worldwide is lost each year through clearing and deforestation.

To the project...