NULIBAC research group (Paraiba, Brazil)
Dr Luciana Barbosa, Head of the Laboratory
The research group's primary objective is to investigate aspects of temporary ecosystems from the perspective of "space for time." Among the primary elements are the impacts of drought and multiple stressors, including salinity and eutrophication, on the resilience of temporary systems and aquatic communities. The main activities are currently developed in perennial and temporary ecosystems such as rock pools, ponds, lakes, and rivers (mainly lentic phases).
The primary research lines are based on the umbrella project of the International Network on Limnology of Drylands:
I. Biodiversity, structure, and function of lentic ecosystems in dryland regions: Taxonomy, functional, and molecular approaches
Keywords: phytoplankton; macrophytes; zooplankton; cyanobacteria blooms; functional ecology; species traits; functional redundancy; catastrophic shifts; metacommunities; second-order effects on biodiversity; eDNA.
II. Trophic interactions and relationship stability – diversity in temporary shallow ecosystems.
Keywords: Food web; stable isotopes; body size; species traits; trophic interactions.
III. Multiple stressors: Water and Sediment Chemistry.
Keywords: Resilience, eutrophication, salinity, water level fluctuation, the 'space for time' approach, monitoring, experimental approach.
IV. Scientometric studies with an emphasis on dryland areas.
Keywords: Gaps in dryland zones, meta-analysis, trends, and patterns in biodiversity distribution.
The umbrella project is the International Network on Limnology of Drylands, with projects developed in dry zones:
INLD
Neotropical islands
Galapagos islands
Temporary aquatic ecosystems
Scientometric and metanalysis
