In February 2017 AquaBiota monitored fish-communities in ten coastward discharging rivers in northern Sweden, by using eDNA (environmental DNA metabarcoding). From each waterbody a few litres of water was collected and subsequently analysed for traces of fish DNA in order to identify the different species. Historical data from electrofishing spanning over 30 years was compared […]
Archives for March 2018
Are microplastic pollution really as harmful as we think?
Abstract New scientific article: Microplastic pollution is currently perceived as an environmental hazard, and adverse effects have been reported at various levels of biological organization. However, most experimental designs do not allow plastic-specific effects to be distinguished from those caused by other particles, such as clay and cellulose, which are naturally ubiquitous in the environment. […]
Two reports on the environmental impact and spatial needs of shipping
Shipping may impact marine conservation values in many ways. These two reports describe the current situation of maritime traffic in Kattegatt and at Salvorev, north of Gotland, and the impacts of the expected changes in traffic are investigated in terms of conservation values and shipping spatial needs. The reports are produced by AquaBiota Water Research […]
Mapping of coastal ecosystem services in Blekinge
Valuation of ecosystem services is used to visualize and enhance understanding of human dependence on healthy ecosystems. Together with Anthesis Enveco and Belyazid Consulting & Communication, AquaBiota has identified, mapped and valued both marine and terrestrial ecosystem services in the coastal zone of Blekinge. The report’s main objective is to enhance understanding of those challenges […]
Bladderwrack in the Baltic may be severely affected by climate change
Due to the salinity gradient and low biodiversity, the Baltic Sea is particularly sensitive to climate changes. There is a risk that climate driven changes in temperature, ice cover, salinity and water levels will negatively impact the distribution and condition of species, habitats and ecosystem services. In a new article in Diversity and Distribution we […]