Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Marine bivalves such as mussels, oysters, and clams play an essential role in their ecosystems by increasing water clarity or creating habitats such as oyster reefs and mussel beds. Further, marine bivalves play an important role in coastal and rural communities of Atlantic Canada as they are farmed or harvested as seafood, impacting not only local economies but also being essential for cultural identities, such as the case of Prince Edward Island mussels and oysters. However, climate change is causing dramatic changes in bivalve habitats, including sudden mass mortalities caused by extreme heat stress and marine heatwaves. These mass mortalities impact local ecosystems and economies. There is an expectation that heatwaves will increase in frequency due to climate change, and with it, the risk of mass mortalities is also likely to increase. Despite the urgency to anticipate the effects of climate change, the study of how marine heatwaves impact marine bivalves is still in its infancy. In this research program, we propose to advance this field by combining laboratory and field experiments, as well as mathematical models to investigate the growth, survivability, and geographic distribution of marine bivalves under changing climate scenarios. For that purpose, we aim to (1) characterize the performance of bivalves under extreme heat stress and also under the reduction of dissolved oxygen in the water column, a problem that can commonly co-occur with heatwaves; (2) explore the ability of bivalves to cope with changing temperatures and test if their exposure to those conditions can influence heat stress resilience in their offspring; and (3) integrate new knowledge from this research and other studies into mathematical models that can aid to predict the future effects of climate change on marine bivalves. Marine bivalves are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to their predominantly sessile nature and limited capacity to move and seek new habitats. This research program can aid in the conservation of these species by identifying areas where bivalves could thrive under future scenarios. Further, this research could help farmers identify optimal growing areas and develop aquaculture practices that minimize the risk of mass mortalities. Finally, the research program will be used not only to generate new knowledge but also to provide ideal training opportunities for a diverse team of students who will bring world-class skills to the workforce in marine science.