In February, 30 scientists descended on Morecambe Bay to understand how the microbes, plants and animals that live in salt marshes and mudflats contribute to our natural environment, economy and society. At the end of July, they will return to collect and measure more samples.
Month: July 2013
University of St Andrews: long term salt marsh carbon exchange measurements
Salt marshes store a significant quantity of soil carbon, yet relatively little is known about the carbon uptake by these systems. Despite their importance, regular tidal inundation means that salt marsh ecosystems are rarely measured with long term measurements such as Eddy Covariance.
University of Essex: the vital role of microbes
The University of Essex is providing a vital role in the CBESS project by characterising the microbes present in 264 areas of salt marsh and mudflat, spread over six field sites in Essex and Morecambe. These microbes are particularly important in these habitats as they play a vital role in many processes such as cleaning the environment and improving plant growth.
University of Cambridge: salt marshes as sea defences
The Cambridge Coastal Research Unit (University of Cambridge) is monitoring the sea defence function of saltmarshes at two saltmarsh sites in Morecambe Bay and three in Essex.
INTERCOL 2013
The Cambridge Coastal Research Unit (University of Cambridge) will be presenting preliminary findings of their measurements at the INTECOL 2013 conference in London on Wednesday 21st August in the session on Marine Ecology with an oral presentation on “Dynamics of the coastal protection service of salt marshes across a UK west coast – east coast gradient”.
Café Scientifique
On Wednesday 7th August, one of the CBESS researchers will be presenting at Café Scientifique in Lancaster. Join us at the The Robert Gillow Pub at 7:30pm.
CBESS: science site visit
Stakeholders (Natural England, RSPB and Environment Agency) will be attending a sampling open day in Morecambe Bay on Tuesday 6th August. They will meet the researchers that are collecting data on the salt marshes and mudflats.
Natural England: marine adviser position advertised
Natural England Marine Adviser based in the Winchester.
Southern Regional Seas Team in Natural England has an 8 month vacancy for a Marine Adviser, which we are looking to fill through short term appointment.
Radio 4: shared planet
How much is a honey bee worth? Can you put a price tag on a mountain?
CBESS at the University of St Andrews was interviewed by Radio 4’s Shared Planet to provide an insight into how researchers in the UK are trying to understand the value of Britain’s mudflats and salt marshes.