We are a team of scientists, postdocs and students from various institutions focused on understanding multi-scale linkages between seascape structure, function and change. We have adopted a multi-disciplinary approach within shallow coastal waters of the south coast of South Africa. Our project aims to 1) map and model seascape spatial structure through the collection of high-resolution georeferenced imagery; 2) study the impact of climate change in seascapes, with a focus on macrophytes (seagrass and seaweed) and associated organisms as well as the role that macrophytes may have in mitigating the effects of ocean acidification; and 3) assess connectivity of mobile organisms (fish) within nursery seascapes and between shallow nursery seascapes and deeper adult habitat.

 

Our team is led by Professor Nicola James, a senior scientist at the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (NRF-SAIAB). Our research is funded by the Marine and Coastal Research funding instrument of the National Research Foundation (NRF).