Abstract
The primary objective of the proposed project is to improve our understanding on how the composition and configuration of the shallow-water seascape environment influences the structure and connectivity patterns of nearshore coastal fish communities. This facilitates efficient resource management and conservation planning of the coastal environment. To address these complex ecological problems regarding the influence of seascape structure on spatial patterning of fish assemblages, I will apply landscape ecology concepts and methodologies. In terrestrial ecology, landscape ecology is a well-established interdisciplinary framework tool, while the use in marine ecology has so far been given little attention. Traditionally, fish community patterns are analysed using a single-scale approach where patches of key habitats usually comprise the focal entity. Typically, since the landscape matrix of a coastal seascape function as a heterogeneous continuum of discrete habitat patches where ecological patterns and processes operate at multiple spatial scales, this project will use an exploratory seascape approach with spatially explicit information to quantify environmental variables at different spatial scales and subsequently identify those seascape types and spatial scales of most influential importance on species distribution, assemblage richness and abundance of fish.The outcome of the project will be translated into a policy guideline for national and regional stakeholders.
Sweden