The coast of West Africa is one of the least known areas on Earth. Ocean depths of this region are a blank spot on the map of marine research, about which until recently we knew literally nothing. Research conducted by scientists from the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection at the University of Lodz, which was conducted in cooperation with the Institute of Marine Research (IMR) in Bergen, allowed the discovery of a huge variety of marine organisms. More than 300 species previously unknown to science were found and the seabed was explored to a depth of 1,000 m. However, there are more results to follow.
The state of the marine environment under human threat
The most important research results by scientists from Lodz made it possible to assess the state of the marine environment in a region strongly threatened by human activity, in particular oil and natural gas extraction and climate warming. The published studies will become a reference point for zoogeographic and ecological research and biodiversity assessments for many years to come. They have already indicated the need to change existing beliefs about the borders of the Atlantic regions.
The most vulnerable areas of the seabed and places requiring urgent protection were also identified. Species that are potential indicators of changes were recognised and guidelines for future monitoring were presented. However, above all, it was possible to better understand the complex relationships between living organisms and various physical and chemical factors, especially toxic substances entering the ocean as a result of human activities.
Publications
The research programme coordinated by Dr hab. Krzysztof Pabis, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz included a group of biologists from Lodz, i.e.: Dr Robert Sobczyk, Dr Anna Stępień, Dr Piotr Jóźwiak and mgr Krzysztof Podwysocki. The results published so far can be found below and further publications are still being prepared.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0078323419300697
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2021.703547/full
- https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2022.779134/full
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969721031466
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0048969722071467?via%3Dihub
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X23012505
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S007832342300088X
More information about the scientists involved in the research project off the coast of Ghana
Dr hab. Krzysztof Pabis, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz is a marine ecologist and a zoologist. His research includes, among other things, polar fjords and the ocean depths. He is interested in the impact of pollution and global warming on the marine environment, polychaete taxonomy and the use of multidimensional methods in ecology. He also conducts butterfly research. He is an author of several popular science books, including ‘Dlaczego motyl zjada muchę’ [Why a butterfly eats a fly] and ‘Prywatne życie mrówek’ [The Private Life of Ants]. He belongs to the Association of Tutors of the University of Lodz.
Read the entry about Professor Pabis as part of the Science Inspires series
Dr Robert Sobczyk is a marine ecologist interested in using multivariate methods and modeling to analyse the distribution of fauna living on the ocean floor. His doctoral thesis concerned the polychaetes of the West African region. He is also interested in the ecology of butterflies, especially in urbanised and protected areas.
Dr Anna Stępień deals with research on the taxonomy and ecology of marine crustaceans. In addition to African research, she has also analysed the fauna of the Sea of Okhotsk and Australian coral reefs. She is an author of descriptions of many species new to science. She has also participated in a project on the ecology and morphometry of Arctic bryozoans.
Dr Piotr Jóźwiak is a zoologist and a marine ecologist. He is interested in the issues related to the methodology of collecting samples from the seabed. He also deals with the taxonomy of Tanaidacea. He has described one family, six genera and over 30 species new to science. His interests also include the use of scanning microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy in biomedical research, and analyses of the accumulation of pollutants in animal bodies.
mgr Krzysztof Podwysocki is a doctoral student working under the supervision of Dr hab. Karolina Bącela Spychalska, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz and Dr Tomasz Rewicz. On a daily basis, he studies invasive crustaceans in European waters. His interest in marine decapod crustaceans made it possible for him to participate in the African research.
Source: Prof. Krzysztof Pabis (Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz)
Photos: Maciej Andrzejewski and Bartosz Kałużny (Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)
Edit: Michał Gruda (Communications and PR Centre, University of Lodz)
The mission of the University of Lodz is to conduct reliable research and actively disseminate facts and research results so as to wisely educate future generations, be useful to society and courageously respond to the challenges of the modern world. Scientific excellence is always our best compass. Our values include: courage, curiosity, commitment, cooperation and respect.