Supervisory Team:
Dr Alistair Lyndon – Heriot-Watt University
Prof. Teresa Fernandes – Heriot-Watt University
Dr Ross Alexander – Heriot-Watt University
Dr Helena Reinardy – University of the Highlands and Islands
Dr Hazel Selley – Natural England
This project examines how combinations of abiotic and biotic stressors affect germination and survival of seagrass seeds and seedlings, alongside use of synthetic materials (e.g. polyacrylamide) as a matrix for planting, which may protect against stressors, but may also constitute stressors on benthic infauna. This knowledge will help to understand the dynamic interannual changes in seagrass density and bed extent observed in nature and will help inform seagrass restoration efforts by allowing targeted planting of seeds in the best available areas. It will involve seed collection, aquarium work, challenge of seedlings with combined stressors, verification of stressor levels in the field and mapping of these to predict in situ germination and survival rates. Work involved will include testing of different approaches for seed planting and sediment mixtures, including enrichment, and possible effects of these approaches on benthic biota.
Skills to be developed will include seagrass survey and seed collection, plant health assessment and growth protocols, field measurements of biotic and abiotic stressors, use of laboratory challenge protocols, chemical analytical techniques, statistical analyses, GIS mapping, networking and communication with agency and stakeholder groups.
No information is available on multi-stressor effects on seagrass germination and survival. Work to date has looked at single environmental factors in isolation or at correlates of seagrass density or extent. This project aims to directly determine the influence on seagrass establishment of combinations of abiotic and biotic stressors. The combination of expertise in germination (derived from malting-related plant science) at Heriot-Watt (HWU), ecotoxicology (HWU and SAMS) and restoration (HWU and NE) brings together a unique blend of relevant experience. The Forth, through work done by the PI, is the best-studied marine/estuarine system for time-series of intertidal seagrass distribution in the UK, which makes it an ideal location for the proposed studies.
Seagrass is a threatened habitat worldwide which contributes to coastal stabilisation, fisheries production and maintenance of coastal biodiversity. Understanding reasons for changes in natural seagrass distribution is essential to design and develop successful restoration efforts, including where they should be targeted and to predict where loss of seagrass might be likely, so as to optimise conservation efforts and to inform assessment of increased risks (e.g. erosion/sediment transport). This information addresses problems in coastal erosion/stability, sustainable fisheries production and biodiversity conservation.
Essential Skills:, Field-based skills, Laboratory skills, Data analysis
