Unravelling the impact of artificial structures on marine metapopulations with network theory
Name of applicant
Ane Pastor Rollan
Title
Postdoctoral Fellow
Institution
Deakin University, Australia
Amount
DKK 1,833,454
Year
2024
Type of grant
Reintegration Fellowships
What?
Persistence of marine populations relies on ecological connectivity - the exchange of individuals among locations. By building and removing offshore structures like windfarms and Oil & Gas platforms, we are altering these connections and shifting species distributions. This project investigates the impact of artificial structures on marine connectivity and population dynamics.
Why?
In a changing climate and human-modified environment, understanding marine population distributions and persistence is crucial. With the expansion of the offshore renewable energy sector and decommissioning of outdated Oil & Gas platforms, these ecosystems will be further impacted, needing of strategies to ensure marine biodiversity and sustainability.
How?
Marine systems can be viewed as networks, representing habitats, populations or species connected by movement from one location to another. By developing advanced network theory methods, this project will identify biodiversity hotspots, stepping-stones, and critical structures to remove to manage invasive species, aiding in a healthier, more resilient ocean.