Integrating Macroecology and Modelling to Elucidate Regulation of Services from Ecosystems

The Marine Ecosystems Research Programme (MERP) addresses key knowledge gaps in marine ecosystem research. By bringing together existing data and targeted new data, the programme scientists integrate these data with current models and knowledge of ecosystem services within a common framework, in order to improve our understanding of the whole UK marine ecosystem.

The programme facilitates the development of a more accurate suite of marine ecosystem models and provides vital evidence, tools and advice to policymakers and environmental managers, including the development and implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Marine and Coastal Access Act, Marine (Scotland) Act, Common Fisheries Policy and the OSPAR Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme.

Module 1: Marine ecosystem data toolbox and application of maroecology

Module 2: Fieldwork to measure poorly known processes

Module 3: Ecological processes and their representation in models

Module 4: Simulating and prediction ecosystem changes using a model ensemble

Module 5: Linking macroecology and models to ecosystem services

Module 6: Developing a model-based understanding of ecosystem service regulation

Module 7: Understanding trade-offs to maximise the benefits from living marine natural capital

Module 8: Cumulative impacts and the management of marine ecosystems

Role of SAMS

Lead Module 2: Professor Michael Burrows

Lead WP 2 on socio-economic studies: Dr Jasper Kenter