Rocky Shore Ecology
Mission statement: Our research focusses on the diversity and dynamics of rocky shore communities. Long-term observations in the field and laboratory experiments on adaptation strategies of key species jointly contribute to the understanding of current changes in biodiversity, structure and functionality of coastal ecosystems.
Kelp and other seaweeds form extensive underwater forests along temperate to polar rocky shores. They provide habitat, shelter and food for numerous animal and seaweed species thereby influencing the biodiversity and production of coastal ecosystems as well as the flow of matter and energy into neighboring soft-bottom biotopes.
We combine field observations with laboratory experiments to document the biodiversity and functionality of rocky shore systems and to understand the adaptability of key species to changing environmental conditions. Our fieldwork comprises qualitative and quantitative surveys of biodiversity, biomass and production in seaweed habitats as well as long-term observations on benthic community dynamics of inter- and subtidal rocky shores and adjacent seabed biotopes (OASIS, FACE-IT, SeaKey). We investigate experimentally adaptation strategies to current and future seawater temperatures (Kelprime) as well as interactions of benthic primary producers and their associated organisms. Our geographical focus is on the North Sea and the European Arctic. Through large-scale comparative studies, we assess the plasticity of species along latitudinal environmental gradients and identify indicators for the ecological consequences of environmental change.
Our research is often carried out in cooperation with federal and state authorities to support the implementation of international legislation on the protection of the marine environment thereby contributing to the transfer of scientific results into society (Nordseebüro).
Rocky coast ecology is included in POF-IV in Subtopics 4.2 / 6.1 / 6.2
