Assessing the efficacy and effects of invasive seaweed management in Christchurch Harbour

About the Project

Applications are invited for a fully-funded three year PhD to commence in June 2026.

The PhD will be based in the Faculty of Science and Health, and will be supervised by Prof Gordon Watson, Dr Paul Stebbing (APEM Ltd) and Dr Daniel Franklin (Bournemouth University).

The work on this project could involve: invasive species, coastal habitats, conservation.

Coastal eutrophication results in the excessive growth of algal mats resulting in impacts on mudflats, saltmarsh and seagrass meadows and linked to significant economic and human health issues. This PhD studentship (funded by South West Water) will be the first to develop and test innovative methods to reduce the coverage of mat-forming native and non-native species in Christchurch Harbour, Dorset (UK). Objectives include assessing the efficacy of the selected removal methods and subsequent impacts on species and habitats including wading birds. In addition, the student will undertake ecological assessments of the mat-forming species and how the ecological context may impact conservation objectives.