Project

Predicting the changes of the zooplankton community composition in the future North Sea and the expected impacts on ecosystem functioning

Motivation:

Insight into the effects of climate change and the presence of offshore wind farms on the ecosystem services provided by the North Sea ecosystem are of vital importance to monitor North Sea ecosystem health.

Aim & objectives/research questions:

  • How do key zooplankton species respond to a rise in seawater temperature?
  • How does altered water stratification affect the zooplankton community?

Methodology

  • Species distribution modelling
  • Statistical response curve modelling to changing environmental variables
  • Lab experiments

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