Anne-Marie RUSIG

Through the various research programs, the studies which I conduct on seaweeds are declined according to three levels: the coastal ecosystem, the communities and the organism respectively providing knowledge on the functioning of ecosystems and the impacts of the anthropic activities, on the dynamics of macroalgae, on the ecophysiology, on algal morphogenesis, and also algal molecules. Two main axes are developed:

• Biotechnologies of marine macroalgae : in vitro micropropagation, ecophysiology and phycoculture. I develop cultivation systems of macroalgae (Phaeophyceae, Rhodophycaea, Ulvophyceae) that have an economic interest to produce algal biomass which constitutes a raw material quality and which allows the preservation of natural resources. The choice of strategy of culture for each algal species is based on knowledge of its morphological and ecophysiological characteristics and on the elaboration of systems of in vitro multiplication either by exploiting cycle of algae, either by producing in vitro artificial seeds (protoplasts, neoformations, somatic embryos). In the objective to the application of the micropropagation to the phycoculture, the conception of an experimental “hatchery” for the culture of seaweed species with identified commercial potential allows the ongrowing , the transfer and the establishment of the plantlets produced in vitro on long-lines at sea or on shellfish structures (Regional research program NORMAND’ALG).

• Dynamics of seaweeds: Quantitative and qualitative studies of benthic seaweed communities in the Channel. Tools of evaluation for the quality of coastal waters: My expertise in identification of species of seaweeds (as well on the ground at the laboratory) allows me to study the species diversity and structure of populations of intertidal marine macroalgae in some sectors of the Lower-Normandy coats to determine the ecological status of algal species communities and their evolution (ZNIEFF-MER, REBENT-DCE-Manche, PROUESSE RECIF).

The regional problem of mass stranding of seaweeds led me to develop an environmental theme on the use of macroalgae as bioindicators of the quality of marine environment. Because of the symptoms of the impact of human activities in the coastal marine environment and in particular of nitrogen inputs, I try to use seaweeds as a tool to assess the quality of coastal waters in order to understand the genesis of accumulations summer affecting some coastal areas, the monitoring of the isotopic signatures (δ¹⁵N) in algae allowing to identify the origin of the anthropisation on the coastal ecosystem (urban/agricultural) and to map the sensitive coastal areas. Ultimately this research program could be used as a support of biomonitoring in order to define and set up a system of evaluation of the littoral quality of coastal waters by seaweeds in Lower-Normandy.

Keywords: seaweeds, plant biotechnologies, in vitro culture, ecophysiology, benthic seaweed communities, bioindication, quality of coastal water, (δ¹⁵N).

„Co-director of thesis of Stéphanie Lemesle. Bioindicators of the marine environment. Use of the macroalgae like a tool for evaluation of the biological quality of coastal waters. Answer to problems of massive beachings seaweeds

„Coordinator UCBN for the region research program (2012-2015) : Initiative and partnership synergy for development of innovative and sustainable practices in answer to the needs for the professionals. Agriculture and marine resources. Development of phycoculture as part of the diversification of the shellfish farming. (NORMAND' ALG)