As keystone species, seaweed create complex habitats increasing biodiversity and acting as nurseries for species of commercial importance. Seaweed also play a crucial role in Ireland’s developing Blue Economy and it’s integral to its Ocean Wealth. Although seaweed aquaculture is fast developing currently most raw produce is obtained by harvesting natural habitats. Assessing environmental impacts and habitat recovery and resilience is therefore crucial to ensure the sustainability of the seaweed extraction industry, while also ensuring that seaweed extraction does not negatively on the ecosystem services provided by the seaweed. Although seaweed aquaculture could relieve pressures on wild habitats there is a similar need to provide evidence of its potential impacts and environmental benefits.
A comprehensive environmental surveys is being conducted in two sites of the west coast of Ireland to investigate the temporal and spatial changes in bbiodiversity and habitat condition as a result of seaweed harvesting activities. The position will involve, under supervision and training from Dr. Farinas-Franco and in conjuction with a PhD student based in NUIG and an IMBRSea Masters student, conducting habitat surveys (intertidal) and taxonomic identification of the biota present in these samples including Polychaetes, Crustaceans, and Bivalves, the calculation of biodiversity indices and the estimation of changes in those as a result of the seaweed farm and environmental parameters. Induction of taxonomic analysis and microscope techniques, the use of taxonomic keys, the enumeration of fauna and the calculation of biodiversity indices using R and the use of GIS will/can be provided. The professional practica candidate will have the oportunity to accompany other students to conduct fieldwork in those experimental sites, including fish trap deployment and quadrat surveys.
