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The ZMT runs a marine experimental facility (MAREE) to cultivate and rear tropical organisms year-round. On an effective area of 150 m² additional space and equipment for the implementation of ecological and physiological experiments is available. More than 60 experimental sea water aquaria in several independent recirculating systems (>10 m³ water volume) and a mesocosm (15 m³ water volume) offer a flexible infrastructure. The production of different phyto- and zooplankton species is ensured and serves, amongst others, as a live food source. Respirometers, flow chambers and the possibility to conduct manipulative experiments with temperature, salinity, light, CO2 and O2 complement the capabilities.

The research concept of MAREE comprises three general research lines:

Many research projects at ZMT include field studies aiming at understanding ecological and biogeochemical processes in tropical marine ecosystems. MAREE provides a variety of laboratory experiments to distinguish between relative effects of different environmental factors on marine organisms. Thus, the influence of e.g. water temperature, pH, nutrient concentration or water current velocity on study organisms can be analysed selectively.

Breeding mechanisms and difficulties in reproducing sensitive marine organisms, especially of ecologically or commercially important species, are investigated at the ZMT. The research focus is on ornamental organisms, which are of special interest for the aquarium market or so called “ecosystem-engineers” - organisms with important functional roles in their ecosystem. This includes research on water and food quality improvements as well as factors that control sexual or asexual reproduction of the target organisms.

Ecophysiological experiments help to understand how organisms interact with their environment. Since the environment is changing, the effects of different environmental parameters on metabolism, physiology and live cycles of marine key organisms gain in importance. At the ZMT selected parameters and potential indicator processes and species are investigated. At present the impacts of ocean acidification on calcifying organisms are in the focus of interest. Furthermore, respiration measurements of selected ornamental organisms are conducted to gain knowledge about their physiology.