Bladderwrack is one the few marine algae that can survive in the low salt content of the Baltic. It is counted as one of the ecologically most important species in the Baltic, where bladderwrack constitutes a major factor in the spawning, growth, and feeding of several commercially valuable fish species.
“If the bladderwrack disappears, there will be severe ecological and economic consequences for the region,” says Charlotta Nygård at the Department of Natural Sciences, Mid Sweden University. Charlotta Nygård will be submitting her doctoral dissertation in the subject of biology, and continues:
“It’s important for us to increase our understanding of the physiology and ecology of this key species before it’s too late. In the last few decades reports have been coming in that the bladderwrack has disappeared from different parts of the Baltic. Recently it was also reported that the cadmium content is increasing in the Baltic, which is something that the bladderwrack in the Gulf of Bothnia has proven to be very sensitive to.”
The dissertation reveals clear physiological differences between the bladderwrack in the Baltic and in the Atlantic. The environment of the Gulf of Bothnia is far from optimal for bladderwrack, which was shown when plants were moved to Atlantic waters and their photosynthesis increased markedly. On the other hand, bladderwrack moved from the Atlantic to the Baltic died within two months.
The bladderwrack in the Gulf of Bothnia lives in conditions that are just above the level of survival. Further losses in photosynthesis would mean no growth, and the alga would probably die in the near future. Environmental damage that results in reduced photosynthesis in bladderwrack can therefore have dire consequences for the survival of the species in the region, which in turn would negatively impact the whole ecosystem. As mentioned, one such threat would be an increase in the amount of heavy metals in the water.
The title of the dissertation is Ecophysiological responses of Baltic and Atlantic Fucus vesiculosus to environmental factors.
Questions can be directed to:
Charlotta NygĂĄrd, phone: +46 60-14 84 02; cell phone: +46 70-311 20 78; lotta.nygard@miun.se
26 April, 2013 - Mittuniversitetet
On the 7th of May, ABBA The Museum and The Swedish Music Hall of Fame in Stockholm, Sweden, will open their gates to visitors from around the world. Current research at the European Tourism Research Institute (ETOUR), Mid Sweden University, shows that half of the ABBA fans have travelled ten times or more because of their interest in ABBA.
19 November, 2012 - Mittuniversitetet
Researchers from Sportstech Additive Manufacturing Group at Mid Sweden University have verified the patented technology of the Swedish company Exmet AB by succeeding in making the world first sample of iron based bulk metallic glass (BMG, also amorphous metal or glassy alloy) using electron beam manufacturing technology. This may be a breakthrough in the manufacturing of BMG components.
14 November, 2011 - Mittuniversitetet
In the last couple of years, the two small American towns of Forks and La Push have been visited by hundreds, sometimes thousands, of people a day. These visitors photograph the local school, doctor’s office, and residential houses – all in pursuit of an authentic Twilight experience. Tourism researchers at Mid Sweden University are now releasing the first book about the fans and the tourism that has emerged, ”I populärkulturturismens fotspår – Twilight + Vacation = Twication©” [Following the footprints of popular culture tourism – Twilight + Vacation = Twication©].
23 February, 2011 - Mittuniversitetet
FSCN, the Fibre Science and Communication Network research center at Mid Sweden University will pursue research on energy-efficient production of mechanical and chemimechanical pulping processes. This will be done in collaboration with the companies SCA, Stora Enso, Holmen, Metso, and Andritz. Mid Sweden University will receive SEK 36 million from the Knowledge Foundation, and the business community will make research commitments corresponding in value to the Knowledge Foundation investment. On top of this, the University is providing SEK 12 million.
Expertsvar, The Swedish Research Council, Hantverkargatan 11B, Stockholm SWEDENPhone +46(0)8 546 44 000
P.O. Box 1035, SE-101 38 Stockholm, expertsvar@vr.se
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