Biosciences Seminar Series - Autumn 2020
01 October 2020 - 1pm - on Zoom
Living on the Edge - Salt marshes under global change
Dr Stefanie Nolte
Our Biosciences Seminar Series resumes for the 2020 autumn term with a talk by Dr. Stefanie Nolte, Lecturer in Marine Ecosystem Services at the Centre for Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of East Anglia (UK). Stefanie is an ecologist and her research focusses on coastal ecology, in particular on the effects of global change on biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and ecosystem services in coastal wetlands.
Abstract
Salt marshes are coastal ecosystems, which form the transition zone between the terrestrial and marine environment. They are influenced by tides and therefore provide a valuable habitat for specialized plants and animals. Furthermore, they play an important role in climate change mitigation (carbon sequestration) and adaptation (coastal protection). Therefore, my research focusses on how this ecosystem, with its biodiversity, ecosystem processes and ecosystem services, is affected by anthropogenic effects and climate change. We studied how livestock grazing affects biodiversity, carbon cycling, and the ecosystems ability to withstand sea-level rise through sedimentation. Next to sea-level rise, increased storminess might be a threat to the ecosystem in the future. Therefore, we used a large-scale wave flume to investigate the effects of hydrodynamic forces on salt marsh plants and sediment surfaces. To study the effects of higher temperatures in a field experiment, open top chambers and electric heating cables are used to increase air and soil temperature, respectively. We can thereby assess effects of increased temperature on vegetation, soil fauna, greenhouse gas fluxes, decomposition, microbial communities, and ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration and coastal protection in salt marshes.
Hope to see many of you - everyone most welcome to attend!
For the list of forthcoming seminars see here
For the list of forthcoming seminars see here
