Climate change responses of rocky shore biodiversity: sustained observations, experiments and modelling on causes and consequences
23 Sep 2024 - Stephen J Hawkins, Univ. Southampton, Marine Biological Association UK | 10h30 | BIOPOLIS-CIBIO, Campus de Vairão

CASUAL SEMINAR IN BIODIVERSITY AND EVOLUTION
Global environmental change interacts with regional and local impacts to alter marine biodiversity and ecosystems. Long-term research is essential to distinguish the signal of responses to climate change from the noise of natural fluctuations. Using examples from the biogeographic boundary zone of the British Isles and Ireland – a case is made for using rocky shores as convenient and tractable sentinel systems. Drawing on surveys and time-series stretching back over 70 years, changes are described showing shifts in distributions and abundance. The mechanisms driving changes in distribution of species are then briefly discussed informed by in-parallel experiments and modelling, before considering consequences for community structure, dynamics and ecosystem functioning. In the medium-term (next 25 years) scientific focus and societal actions should concentrate on better understanding and management of the interactions between global change and those regional and local impacts that can be regulated – whilst hopefully de-carbonisation of society proceeds apace worldwide.
Steve Hawkins, an experimental marine ecologist, has used rocky shores as a model system since 1975 to study biodiversity patterns and ecosystem functions. He has conducted extensive research on biodiversity responses to climate change, as well as the taxonomy, phylogeography, and fisheries of limpets and barnacles, coastal ecosystem restoration, and eco-engineering of seawalls. He has held senior roles, including Director of the Marine Biological Association (1999-2007) and Dean at the University of Southampton (2010-2015), but always returned to fieldwork. He has authored over 370 papers, written 2 books, edited 3 volumes, and supervised over 80 PhD students. His work in Portugal began in 1984 while trying to find the southern limit of Patella vulgata, and led to a broad network of collaborators; he has supervised/co-supervised 18 Portuguese PhD students. Awarded the Carlo Heip Award in 2020 for his contributions to marine biodiversity science, Hawkins is now a Lankester Research Fellow at the MBA Plymouth and Prof Emeritus at Southampton. His hobbies are fishing, surfing, sailing, going to the pub, rugby, and skiing, but his wife feels that counting limpets is his main hobby.
[Host: Fernando Lima, Marine Ecology, Diversity and Change - COASTALWARMING]