University of Gothenburg
Diver in eelgrass meadow.
Diver collecting samples from an eelgrass meadow.
Photo: Marlene Jahnke
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  4. Integrating seascape ecology and ecosystem services of eelgrass meadows for marine spatial management

Integrating seascape ecology and ecosystem services of eelgrass meadows for marine spatial management

Research project
Active research
Project owner
Department of Marine Sciences
Financier
Swedish Research Council – Formas
Area
Sustainability and environment
Topic
Ecology Evolutionary Biology Genetics Marine

Short description

Eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows are key habitats in coastal ecosystems that provide a range of ecosystem services. However, they are rapidly declining and in immediate need of management measures. With a multidisciplinary team, this project aims to develop a series of new spatial management tools for protection and restoration of eelgrass meadows.

Research issues

  • Assess connectivity between past and present eelgrass meadows using bio-physical models and population genetic methods.
  • Identify key ecosystem services provided by eelgrass ecosystems.
  • Develop a new model-approach that integrates the connectivity with area-specific values of the ecosystem services, to identify the most valuable eelgrass beds.

Participating researchers

Marlene Jahnke, Department of Marine Sciences
Personal webpage

Per Jonsson, Department of Marine Sciences
Personal webpage

Per-Olav Moksnes, Department of Marine Sciences
Personal webpage

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