This project is a collaboration between Tvärminne (University of Helsinki), Stockholm University, University of Southern Denmark, and the University of Auckland and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand.

Coastal ecosystems are exceptionally diverse and productive environments that maintain vital ecosystem functions and services. These ecosystems are, however, under threat from eutrophication, pollution, overfishing and construction. In order to manage the ecosystems wisely, we need to advance our understanding of the role of biodiversity for ecosystem functioning and metabolism.

Photo: Tvärminne Zoological Station
Investigations in benthic key habitats will be made by using novel measuring instruments. Photo: Tvärminne Zoological Station

Four years of research funded

We will use novel instruments (Aquatic Eddy Covariance), which for the first time allows us to measure oxygen production and consumption in a range of different key habitats of the Baltic Sea, such as seagrass meadows, mussel beds, bladder wrack belts, bare sand and mud. The measurements can then be linked to the biodiversity and nutrient cycling in these different habitats. Using habitat maps from the Finnish national underwater mapping program VELMU, we will scale up our findings to the ecosystem level, i.e. to the scale of societal relevance and management. The research is conducted at Tvärminne zoological station.

  • four year project funded by the Academy of Finland, starting in September 2016
  • collaboration between Tvärminne (University of Helsinki), Stockholm University, University of Southern Denmark, and the University of Auckland and the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, New Zealand.

Contact person: Joanna Norkko, Tvärminne Zoological Station, Helsinki University