Plankton occupy a key position in aquatic trophic webs, and today, a highly relevant topic lies ahead in assessing its global change-mediated shifts, with implications for the functioning of aquatic systems. Mixotrophic chrysophytes are prevailing elements of phytoplankton in oligo- and mesotrophic lakes. Their contribution is predicted to increase with climate warming, which imply serious consequences for pelagic trophic efficiency and ecosystem services e.g. fish production. However, our current knowledge on the nutritional quality and bottom-up effect of chrysophytes is insufficient. CHRYSOWEB aims to reveal their effects on zooplankton secondary production and diversity in a multi-disciplinary approach, which will significantly contribute to the understanding of carbon flow and nutrient cycling in alpine lakes under global change. Laboratory feeding experiments will be combined with field observations to quantify species-specific responses of relevant zooplankton taxa to chrysophytes. The underlying mechanisms will be biochemically analysed in algae and consumers. The host, WasserCluster Lunz (WCL) is a leading limnological institute in Central Europe with cutting-edge infrastructure and outstanding research performance. My supervisor, Dr Robert Ptacnik (leader of AquaScale working group, WCL) has excellent background in plankton ecology and experimental systems. The biochemical part will be performed in cooperation with Dr Martin Kainz (leader of LIPTOX working group, WCL). I will additionally benefit from the international cooperation with Prof Herwig Stibor (LMU Munich; place of secondment). CHRYSOWEB will produce front-line and timely inter-disciplinary results and enhance my future perspectives to become an independent researcher by broadening my expertise both conceptually and methodologically. The inspiring working environment, high-quality infrastructure, excellent supervision and my personal motivation guarantee the successful outcome of the project.

BEYOND will train the next generation of water professionals who will deliver scientific and technological innovation across disciplines, institutions and countries needed to solve European water quality problems in an era of global change. In the last decade, some improvement in understanding of water pollution has been achieved but there are still significant knowledge gaps, especially in the context of climate change and emerging contaminants, coupled with a lack of systems approach and operational tools required by water management. To address water quality pressures, we need to better target heterogeneity in the land-water continuum, accounting for recipient-specific sensitivity to pollution pressures and the spatial and temporal variation in sources, pathways, and impacts on stream ecology and ecosystem services, now and under future climatic conditions. BEYOND will equip Researchers with critical technical and communication skills needed to provide evidence-based management of landscapes and river networks under current and future conditions. They will gain expertise in interdisciplinary catchment science, novel high-resolution water quality sensors and models, gain access to cutting-edge water quality instrumentation in experimental catchments in Europe and through secondments to SMEs, and skills in citizen science. BEYOND Researchers will become leaders in innovation and knowledge exchange needed to achieve water quality improvements, through effective interactions with public and private stakeholders during secondments and short visits.

RESTORE4Cs aims to assess the role of restoration action on wetlands climate change mitigation capacity and a wide range of ecosystem services using an integrative socio-ecological systems approach. Focusing on coastal wetlands across Europe, RESTORE4Cs will deliver standardised methodologies and approaches for the prioritisation of restoration promoting carbon-storage and greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions abatement, while improving the ecological status and the provision of additional ecosystem services such as flood regulation and coastal erosion protection. Project results will support the implementation of Climate and Biodiversity policies in the context of the European Green Deal. Effectiveness data on restoration and land use management actions on climate services and other ecosystem and socio-economic services will be gathered both from six Case Pilot sites across European coastal areas, including well-preserved, altered, and restored wetlands, and from meta-analysis. Models and integrative assessment tools will be upscaled to wider geographical (European) and ecological (other wetland types, including floodplains and peatlands) contexts using remote sensing and machine learning methods to develop an integrated status assessment of European wetlands. The results will be integrated into a digital platform to serve as a Decision Support System (DSS) for stakeholders that will steer project efforts as part of a newly created Community of Practice around wetland restoration.