MOUNT

The project conducted systematic research in marine biology across a wide range of topics but under a common theoretical and methodological framework. It identified needs for specialized personnel, education, theoretical, sampling, experimental, and analytical methods, as well as infrastructure, collaboration networks, and communication. By engaging in international state-of-the-art initiatives and projects, it has identified methodological gaps and research needs, as well as policy design and production development. The physical scope of the project focused on research concerning three hierarchical levels of marine life organization:

1) populations of specific species, studied as models to understand environmental adaptations and responses to environmental and climate changes. These populations were studied using population genomics and landscape genomics methods. A special category of population research referred to aquaculture;

2) individuals within species populations;

3) Macro-systems concerning the standardization of a methodological framework and protocols, and their application in the study of biodiversity in the Gulf of Heraklion, Crete, a model system for the functioning of the continental shelf, which is of remarkable complexity.