Stephen King, postgraduate researcher, CDT SuMMeR: Cohort 3

During my undergraduate degree at the University of Exeter, I loosely specialised in Animal Biology, while keeping up some modules in micro and molecular biology as well. My undergraduate research project took a forensic lean on the effect of temperature on the life cycle of the blowfly species Lucilia sericata, whilst incorporating a model to consider the potential implications of climate change on forensic models for estimating postmortem interval.

At present, my primary research interests lie in somewhere in the intersection of the impacts of anthropogenic stress on marine habitats, and the ecosystem dynamics of sed habitats, with particular focus on UK coastal marine ecosystems.

My current work utilises eDNA and genomics to curate a novel approach to assessing the community diversity associated with Maerl beds around the SW of the UK. I’m excited to incorporate some aquaria-based experiments and field work to (in time) develop a greater understanding of Maerl habitats that can then be used to inform legislation and proposed management actions surrounding these pivotal ecosystem engineers.

Akin to reefs formed by colony-building hard corals, maërl (coralline algae) needs sunlight to photosynthesise and can aggregate to form dense biogenic habitats, known as maërl beds, providing a 3-dimensional habitat on the seafloor. These beds are important nursery areas for fish and shellfish of commercial importance, e.g. cod, scallops; they have also been shown to sequester carbon at similar rates to salt marshes and seagrass beds. However, while listed as priority habitats under UK and European legislation, little is known about the reproduction and biology of these coralline algae. This knowledge is key to understanding the resilience of maërl-forming species to environmental and climate change, and for directing conservation actions to drive recovery and restoration of degraded maërl beds. Through aquarium experiments, microscopy and a continuation of eDNA-based genomic work from my postgraduate studies, this PhD will explore the environmental, biological and genetic factors that may be acting to drive degradation. Subsequently, we will look to propose management actions to remedy this situation, to halt decline and promote restoration.

The SuMMeR CDT appeared as the perfect opportunity for me to continue my postgraduate (MSc) studies into Maerl within such a diverse and talented team at the University of Exeter. While working alongside key stakeholders and leading researchers, the SuMMeR CDT offers me a platform to embark upon a multidisciplinary approach towards researching what is an under-represented marine habitat within existing literature, simultaneously developing myself as a person and furthering my career as a researcher.