Research Output per year
Personal profile
Description of research and teaching
Our coastal environments provide a wide range of essential ecosystem functions and services. However, these diverse, productive environments are increasingly threatened by disturbances such as climate change and eutrophication. As a marine benthic ecologist, I explore how structural and functional aspects of biodiversity relates to ecosystem functions and services, and how changes in the environment affect this relationship. I have investigated these questions by performing field experiments, but I also explore patterns in benthic biodiversity and functions by utilizing large-scale monitoring data. Although I perform basic ecological research, I strive to make research findings relevant for environmental management and for the general public. I participate in teaching Bachelor’s and Master’s level courses and supervise MSc students.
Fields of Science
- 1181 Ecology, evolutionary biology
- marine ecosystems
- biodiversity
- ecosystem function
- soft-bottom communities
- environmental assessments
International and National Collaboration
Publications and projects within past five years.
Publications
Factors regulating the coastal nutrient filter in the Baltic Sea
Carstensen, J., Conley, D. J., Almroth-Rosell, E., Asmala, E., Bonsdorff, E., Fleming-Lehtinen, V., Gustafsson, B. G., Gustafsson, C., Heiskanen, A-S., Janas, U., Norkko, A., Slomp, C., Villnäs, A., Voss, M. & Zilius, M., Jun 2020, In : Ambio. 49, 6, p. 1194-1210 17 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access
File
Changes in macrofaunal biological traits across estuarine gradients: implications for the coastal nutrient filter
Villnäs, A., Janas, U., Josefson, A. B., Kendzierska, H., Nygård, H., Norkko, J. & Norkko, A., 18 Jul 2019, In : Marine Ecology. Progress Series. 622, p. 31-48 18 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access
File
Context-dependent community facilitation in seagrass meadows along a hydrodynamic stress gradient
Meysick, L., Ysebaert, T., Jansson, A., Montserrat, F., Valanko, S., Villnäs, A., Boström, C., Norkko, J. & Norkko, A., Aug 2019, In : Journal of Sea Research. 150-151, p. 8-23 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Increasing oxygen deficiency changes rare and moderately abundant bacterial communities in coastal soft sediments
Sinkko, H., Hepolehto, I., Lyra, C., Rinta-Kanto, J. M., Villnäs, A., Norkko, J., Norkko, A. & Timonen, S., 8 Nov 2019, In : Scientific Reports. 9, 1, 14 p., 16341.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Open Access
File
Multi-level responses of Macoma balthica to recurring hypoxic disturbance
Villnäs, A., Norkko, A. & Lehtonen, K. K., Jan 2019, In : Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. 510, p. 64-72 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Scientific › peer-review
Projects
Elemental stoichiometry of benthic invertebrates as predictor of biogeochemical cycles
Villnäs, A., Mäkelin, S. E. I., Lewandowska, A., Franco Rodil, I., Humborg, C., Karlson, A. & Vanni, M.
01/01/2019 → 31/12/2021
Project: University of Helsinki Three-Year Research Project
Facilitators of seagrass growth? The role of infaunal biodiversity versus biomass
Villnäs, A., Gustafsson, C. & Infantes, E.
01/05/2020 → 31/07/2020
Project: Research project
Activities
Kristineberg Marin Research Station, University of Gothenburg
Anna Villnäs (Visiting researcher), Camilla Gustafsson (Visiting researcher), Eduardo Infantes (Other role)29 Jan 2020 → 31 Jan 2020
Activity: Visiting an external institution types › Academic visit to other institution
Changes in macrofaunal biological traits across estuarine gradients – implications for the coastal nutrient filter
Anna Villnäs (Speaker)22 Aug 2019
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
Östersjön - ett hav i förändring
Anna Villnäs (Speaker)18 Mar 2019
Activity: Talk or presentation types › Oral presentation
Stockholm University
Anna Villnäs (Visiting researcher), Agnes Karlson (Other role), Christoph Humborg (Other role)20 Feb 2019 → 22 Feb 2019
Activity: Visiting an external institution types › Academic visit to other institution
Stockholm University
Anna Villnäs (Visiting researcher)14 May 2019
Activity: Visiting an external institution types › Academic visit to other institution
Press / Media
Marinbiolog Anna Villnäs berättar vad lågvattnet beror på
26/04/2019
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
Syrebristen i Östersjön resulterar i doktorshatt
14/06/2013
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media