Using plankton indicators to project the future human wellbeing impacts from the marine environment under climate change

Marine Conservation Research Group
Using plankton indicators
Title: Using plankton indicators to project the future human wellbeing impacts from the marine environment under climate change
Funded by: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; University of Plymouth; The Alan Turing Institute
Dates: 2022–2026
Partners: Marine Biological Association; Plymouth Marine Laboratory
University of Plymouth staff: Mr Matthew Faith ; Dr Abigail McQuatters-Gollop ; Dr Sian Rees
 
 
 
 
 

Summary

Plankton are highly sensitive to environmental changes and are therefore used as an indicator of Good Environmental Status (GES) in OSPAR and UK Marine Strategy assessments of pelagic habitats. Plankton underpin the functioning of marine food webs and are associated with critical ecosystem services (such as climate regulation). Some plankton, however, are known to be hazardous to people (e.g. stinging jellyfish and harmful algal blooms). To understand the potential socioeconomic impacts of changing plankton communities under climate change, this project explores the links between plankton ecology and socioecological systems.

Aims of the project

  • Conceptualise links between plankton ecological indicators and socioecological systems to support an ecosystem approach to managing pelagic habitats.
  • Project impacts of climate change on plankton ecological indicators and quantify ecosystem service losses.

Marine Social Science Research Unit

We co-create and deliver robust social science research in partnership with statutory nature conservation agencies, sea users, NGOs, government departments and international organisations
Supporting the sustainable and fair use of marine ecosystems through social science research methodologies that directly inform marine environment governance at international, regional, national and local scales.
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