Donadio, Rosa (2026) Primary productivity and resilience strategies of marine macroalgae under environmental change. [Tesi di dottorato]

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Abstract

Climate change represents one of the most significant environmental challenges of the 21st century, exerting severe impacts on the coastal ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea. This region is widely recognized as a biodiversity hotspot, and one of the marine areas most vulnerable to rising temperature, ocean acidification, and the increased frequency of extreme events. In this context, macroalgae play a fundamental ecological role as primary producers and habitat formers in coastal environments, contributing significantly to ecosystem functioning and the provision of crucial ecosystem services. Assessing algal productivity and their capacity to adapt to changing environmental conditions is key aspect of monitoring the health of marine habitat, in line with the objectives of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) and the National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC). This PhD thesis is part of broader research activities aimed at enhancing knowledge, monitoring, and protection of marine biodiversity by investigating the primary productivity and resilience strategies of different species of macroalgae in response to the main drivers of global change. Using an integrated approach that combines literature review with field and laboratory experiments, this study examines how different macroalgal groups (Phaeophyta, Chlorophyta, and Rhodophyta) adjust their structure, functional traits, and defense mechanisms to sustain primary productivity under variable environmental conditions. Specifically, the following chapters of this PhD thesis investigates seasonal, ontogenetic, and spatial dynamics of macroalgal populations in coastal and transitional systems, their response to extreme events such as prolonged low-tide exposure, and the effects of ocean acidification along natural pH gradients across different geochemical contexts. The results reveal the high functional plasticity of the macroalgae studied, demonstrating that the coordinated expression of structural and functional traits, together with the fine regulation of antioxidant compounds, sustain productivity and ecosystem functioning even under pronounced environmental stress. Distinct species-specific patterns emerge, allowing the identification of taxa whose functional strategies confer increased resilient, as well as others that are more vulnerable to rapid environmental changes. In conclusion, this thesis provides an integrated understanding of how macroalgae respond to climate change drivers, underscoring their functional plasticity and specie-specific resilience strategies. These findings offer useful insights for predicting the future evolution of Mediterranean coastal ecosystems, supporting marine ecosystem conservation and management plans, in line with the priorities of the PNRR and broader long-term sustainability goals.

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