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Mapping Storm and Wave Height Frequencies Effect on Eelgrass Distribution Along the Coast of Skåne, Sweden

Wilsson, Julia LU (2024) In Student thesis series INES NGEK01 20241
Dept of Physical Geography and Ecosystem Science
Abstract
Seagrasses provide valuable ecosystem services, benefitting both marine species and humans by providing coastal protection and erosion control which is significant as 898 million people lived in low-elevation coastal zones in 2020. However, seagrasses worldwide have been declining and in Sweden, the eelgrass Zostera marina has decreased heavily since 1980. One cause for seagrass loss in temperate regions is increased storm frequency and intensity as an effect of climate change. To protect coastal regions and eelgrass from the effects of climate change it is essential to understand the existing impact of storms on eelgrass beds in Sweden. This thesis aims to assess the impact of storm frequency and frequency of high wave conditions on... (More)
Seagrasses provide valuable ecosystem services, benefitting both marine species and humans by providing coastal protection and erosion control which is significant as 898 million people lived in low-elevation coastal zones in 2020. However, seagrasses worldwide have been declining and in Sweden, the eelgrass Zostera marina has decreased heavily since 1980. One cause for seagrass loss in temperate regions is increased storm frequency and intensity as an effect of climate change. To protect coastal regions and eelgrass from the effects of climate change it is essential to understand the existing impact of storms on eelgrass beds in Sweden. This thesis aims to assess the impact of storm frequency and frequency of high wave conditions on eelgrass beds along the coast of Scania, Sweden. To achieve this, historical orthophotos will be analysed to identify long-term changes to eelgrass cover at three sites, Vege Å Estuary, Råå and Falsterbo Bay. Findings indicate that both the frequency of wave height and storm gusts are factors leading to an increased magnitude of changes in eelgrass meadows. Regions like Falsterbo and Råå showed overall increases in eelgrass cover indicating healthy distributions. Counturay Vege Å Estuary experienced a notable decline suggesting that increased storm events will negatively affect this region. To conserve this valuable habitat from increased storm frequency it is evident that protective measures are needed. Efforts are especially needed along the outer edges and smaller patches of the meadows which are more affected by change. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Wilsson, Julia LU
supervisor
organization
course
NGEK01 20241
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
publication/series
Student thesis series INES
report number
654
language
English
id
9174998
date added to LUP
2024-09-23 09:31:46
date last changed
2024-09-23 09:31:46
@misc{9174998,
  abstract     = {{Seagrasses provide valuable ecosystem services, benefitting both marine species and humans by providing coastal protection and erosion control which is significant as 898 million people lived in low-elevation coastal zones in 2020. However, seagrasses worldwide have been declining and in Sweden, the eelgrass Zostera marina has decreased heavily since 1980. One cause for seagrass loss in temperate regions is increased storm frequency and intensity as an effect of climate change. To protect coastal regions and eelgrass from the effects of climate change it is essential to understand the existing impact of storms on eelgrass beds in Sweden. This thesis aims to assess the impact of storm frequency and frequency of high wave conditions on eelgrass beds along the coast of Scania, Sweden. To achieve this, historical orthophotos will be analysed to identify long-term changes to eelgrass cover at three sites, Vege Å Estuary, Råå and Falsterbo Bay. Findings indicate that both the frequency of wave height and storm gusts are factors leading to an increased magnitude of changes in eelgrass meadows. Regions like Falsterbo and Råå showed overall increases in eelgrass cover indicating healthy distributions. Counturay Vege Å Estuary experienced a notable decline suggesting that increased storm events will negatively affect this region. To conserve this valuable habitat from increased storm frequency it is evident that protective measures are needed. Efforts are especially needed along the outer edges and smaller patches of the meadows which are more affected by change.}},
  author       = {{Wilsson, Julia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Student thesis series INES}},
  title        = {{Mapping Storm and Wave Height Frequencies Effect on Eelgrass Distribution Along the Coast of Skåne, Sweden}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}