Habitats and biodiversity

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Our research about marine habitats and biodiversity

Coastal areas in the Baltic Sea accommodate many important habitats for a high diversity of species. There are exposed cliffs with small turf algae, kelpforests of bladderwrack, shallow bays with meadows of rooted flowering plants or red listed stoneworts. In some of the habitats there are plenty of species, in others few. Some function as nursing grounds for fish, some do not. Nature below the sea surface is as varied as it is on land. But knowledge is still lacking about which species live where, interactions among the species, ecological processes and ecosystem functions of the habitats. 

Research area goal: 

  • Increase knowledge of the Baltic Sea ecosystems and habitats, how they are affected by human activities and climate change, and effective measures to protect them.

A few of our researchers work with improving the knowledge about coastal habitats. Some questions they focus on are: Where are the habitats located? How do animals and plants interact within the habitats? How is the environmental condition of the habitats, and how does it change over time? Where are the highest natural values? Which are the major threats? How can we protect the habitats and species? How does the existing protection work? 

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Ett gäddyngel gömmer sig i ålgräset. Foto: Ulf Bergström

Plant-Fish

Declining stocks of large predatory fish and decreased vegetation is a world wide problem. The research project Plant-Fish has thoroughly examined the functional role of vegetation and predatory fish in a large number of shallow Baltic Sea bays.

Baltic Bridge

Baltic Bridge

This project facilitates the forming of new links between researchers, development of joint course activities and potentially also development of infrastructure, between the Universities of Helsinki and Stockholm.

This website is no longer in use

All our news, events and information is available at our new site su.se/ostersjocentrum

Stockholm University Baltic Sea Centre ...

... conducts research to support the management of the Baltic Sea, transmits useful scientific knowledge to the right place in society and provide essential infrastructure for marine monitoring, research and education.

Scientific leader:

Christoph Humborg

08-674 76 68
christoph.humborg@su.se

We offer resources ...

The Baltic Centre provide, develop and maintain expensive physical and financial resources for marine research.

... and convey useful knowledge

Another important task is to make research results and information available for those who work with management as well as and other interested parties.