Seagrass feedbacks on sediment stabilization and biogeochemistry affecting patch and gap dynamics – implication for restoration and mitigation

Seagrass in the Eastern Scheldt has been declining since the 1980’s, due to cold winters, lugworm activities, changed sediment dynamics and increased human activities. Dwarf eelgrass (Zostera noltii) is still present on some mud flats in the Eastern Scheldt; common eelgrass (Zostera marina) has completely disappeared from this area (http://www.zeegras.nl).
The European water framework directive states that the seagrass area in the Eastern Scheldt should expand. Seagrass threatened by large-scale dike reinforcements is therefore removed and moved to other locations.
The goal of my project is focus on the interactions of sediment biogeochemistry and small eelgrass, and to look at the effects of patch and gaps within a seagrass bed.

Mediterranean Sea - Western Basin
Mediterranean Sea - Eastern Basin
North Sea
North Atlantic Ocean

PhD student is seagrass ecology, tropical marine community ecology, biogeochemistry