Aquatic Ecophysiology Research Platform (AERP)

The Aquatic Ecophysiology Research Platform (AERP) was established in 2014 after the development of a formal collaboration with the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB)

The Aquatic Ecophysiology Research Platform (AERP) was established in 2014 after formal collaboration with the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB) and Rhodes University, Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science (DIFS) to provide researchers with the tools to determine the effect of global climate change on the relationship between living organisms and their surrounding environment, how these effects are likely to unfold, and what actions might prevent their effect in the future.

Contact AERP
Intro
Socio-economic implications
Measuring the effects of climate and global change on aquatic organisms and the potential impact on marine resources
Users
NRF-SAIAB and Rhodes University and other institutions on application
Future
  • Linkage to DSI/NRF Joint Marine Labs unit at University of Fort Hare
  • Upgrading of the AERP facility, which will enable an extended user base and include different platforms within SAIAB
  • Further enhance scientific understanding of climate change and ocean acidification by developing protocols and procedures of a global standard. With potential expansion into new fields, bio-economy, food security and energy security can be addressed
Functionality
  • Husbandry and housing facilities with controlled environment capabilities – for larval, juvenile and adult stages of fish and invertebrates
  • High volume respirometry – mainly used for juvenile and adult fish
  • Low volume respirometry – mainly used for invertebrate and fish larvae
  • Water quality equipment – mainly for measurement of temperature, pH and salinity
Transformation & Capacity Development
  • Transformation institute objectives met through postgraduate research studies
  • Postgraduates and postdoctoral fellows pass on their knowledge by training new lab users on equipment use and basic data analysis
Funders
NRF-SAIAB, Rhodes University