Seagrass monitoring in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea
Seagrass beds are indicators for the ecological status of the North Sea coast
The occurrence of seagrass is a valuable indicator for the ecological status of the Wadden Sea because seagrass is sensitive towards disturbance such as eutrophication and coastal protection. Therefore, the occurrence and distribution of seagrass in the Schleswig-Holstein Wadden Sea is investigated annually on the ground and from the air in order to describe long-term developments and sudden changes in the seagrass standing stock.
Funding:
Landesamt für Landwirtschaft, Umwelt und ländliche Räume Schleswig-Holstein (LLUR)
Landesbetrieb für Küstenschutz, Nationalpark und Meeresschutz Schleswig-Holstein (LKN)
Rapid assessment of neobiota at the German North Sea coast
Asian skeleton shrimps are about to conquer the North Sea
An increasing number of non-indigenous species are introduced by global trait and the accelerating merchandise transport. Once introduced, these foreign species can substantially influence the composition of natural species communities and species interactions. To allow for an early identification of non-indigenous species and an efficient development of management strategies the AWI has developed a program for annual rapid assessment of neobiota along the German North Sea coast.
Funding:
Landesamt für Landwirtschaft, Umwelt und ländliche Räume Schleswig-Holstein (LLUR)
Landesbetrieb für Küstenschutz, Nationalpark und Meeresschutz Schleswig-Holstein (LKN)
Ecological impact assessment in offshore wind farms
alpha ventus: the first offshore windfarm in the German Bight
Offshore wind energy is a novel kind of industrial utilization of the North Sea with yet unpredictable implications for the environment. Since the early days of the development of offshore wind farming in the North Sea the AWI contributes to the research on its expected impacts. In several projects the AWI investigates together with partners how the huge underwater constructions of wind turbines affect the communities of fishes in the water column and organisms at the seafloor.
Funding:
German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety
List of current projects:
Dannheim J (2008-2012) Joint analysis of data from research, monitoring programs and environmental impact assessment studies as a base for a holistic evaluation for ecological effect monitoring in the offshore test field alpha ventus.
Krägefsky S, Krone R (2008-2012) Investigations on the effects of offshore wind turbines on fish and vagile megafauna in the test field alpha ventus.
Reichert K, Gusky M, Gutow L (2008-2012) Integration of the time series during the operational phase and assessment of implications for the benthos by extension of the turbine related effect monitoring.