Macrophyte Biodiversity  

Camilla Gustafsson's research group working on seagrasses and other aquatic plants, seaweeds and reeds.

Coastal vegetated ecosystems are highly productive, act as biodiversity hotspots and have an important role in the carbon cycle. They often consist of macrophytes, i.e. aquatic plants and algae. Many macrophytes are considered foundation species that maintain biodiversity and modify the abiotic and biotic environment. For example, seagrasses form vast underwater meadows that can contain up to 8-9 co-occurring plant species, whilst reed beds support both terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity. 

In the Macrophyte Biodiversity Group, we study macrophyte biodiversity (species and functional diversity) and ecosystem functioning. Our focal organisms range from seagrasses and other aquatic plants to seaweeds and reeds. We are for example, interested in exploring how macrophytes are linked to ecosystem processes (e.g. community metabolism, carbon dynamics, Volatile Organic Compound (VOC)- emissions) and properties (community resilience, stability) across spatial and temporal scales, how seagrass restoration influences associated biodiversity and how climate change will affect macrophyte communities. 

Read more on our website.