Davide Carratù

I'm currently working on a project aimed at developing a larval dispersal and connectivity model of Ostrea edulis, for a future restoration of the species in the Adriatic Sea.

The aim of the project is to provide tools to assess the suitability and potential success of restoration sites, through the development and use of a Lagrangian Particle Tracking Model to simulate O.edulis larval dispersal and possible connectivity within this semi-enclosed sea, providing essential insights for targeted restoration efforts. The particle tracking framework integrates key environmental parameters with biological data. Temperature gradients and food availability are modeled as the primary drivers. The model simulates the influence of hydrodynamic forces on larval advection and retention, helping to identify potential settlement hotspots and connectivity pathways between oyster beds.

This particle tracking model aims to offer a predictive tool for evaluating the effectiveness of oyster restoration strategies in the Adriatic Sea, aiding conservation planning under dynamic oceanographic conditions and climate change scenarios.

Tutor: D. Canu