VANN: Towards a better understanding of bloom-forming toxic cyanobacteria

Blooms of toxic cyanobacteria are a main consequence of freshwater eutrophication. Despite considerable research efforts, the bloom forming capacity of cyanobacteria, their high competitive strength, and the regulation of cyanobacterial toxins in nature a re still weakly understood. This causes uncertainties in planning lake restoration and prevents prediction of health and ecological risks. The gaps in knowledge also present a major obstacle in meeting the demand of the EU Water Framework Directive to red uce the level of eutrophication until 2015, which in many lakes will require effective management of toxic cyanobacteria. The present project embarks on a new strategy of cyanobacterial research by considering the lately discovered co-occurrence of distin ct ecotypes within cyanobacterial populations. Novel genetic and biochemical methods, allowing for the first time field studies at ecotype level, will be established and used to illuminate the effects of eutrophication, lake restoration and natural enviro nmental fluctuations. Utilising historical and newly collected samples, the project will cover a time period of up to 35 years. The probability of success is increased by involving a number of distinguished international experts.