PhD Studentship - Understanding the Effects of Offshore Wind Development on Marine Benthic Communities

Supervisor(s)

1. Dr Krysia Mazik, University of Hull
2. Dr Bryony Caswell, University of Hull
3. Christopher Lynam, Cefas
4. Murray Thompson, Cefas

Enquiries email: Samantha.Richardson@hull.ac.uk

This project aims to maximise use of existing data sets provided by offshore windfarm operators, coupled with new, targeted high resolution data collection, to better understand the effects of offshore wind farm development on the structure and function of marine benthic communities. It aims to investigate ecological change with a view to contributing to the understanding of what Marine Net Gain could potentially mean.

The proposed scale of offshore development poses a significant threat to the marine environment in the form of physical disturbance. This has the potential to alter the structure and function of seabed (benthic) communities which, in turn, influences wider ecosystem processes (Dannheim et al., 2020). Overall, the impacts (potentially positive or negative) of offshore wind energy development are poorly understood, particularly with respect to ecological function and in relation to Floating Offshore Wind. The consenting process for offshore wind remains conservative since coastal and shelf seas support diverse benthic communities that play very important roles in wider ecosystem function through their high productivity, role in nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration and influence on sedimentary processes.

In terrestrial and intertidal environments, developers are legally obliged to improve the quality of natural habitats under the principle of Biodiversity Net Gain. That is, they must leave the environment in a measurably better state than it was prior to development. The application of this principle in the marine environment, known in England as ‘Marine Net Gain’ (Government response – GOV.UK) is more challenging, due the dynamic nature of the marine environment, and the principles by which it can be incorporated into policy are currently under development (Edwards-Jones et al., 2024). In particular, Marine Net Gain may potentially expand on Biodiversity Net Gain by incorporating the concept of wider Environmental Net Gain (wider environmental benefits that may underpin biodiversity, including carbon sequestration) (Defra, 2022). Ultimately, developers will be expected to deliver on Marine Net Gain but guidance to facilitate this is not currently available.

The scale and speed of offshore development necessitates a better understanding of the impact of offshore wind, and potential for ecological enhancement, to inform the offshore wind energy sector, regulatory bodies, scientific community and, in particular, development of the principles of Marine Net Gain.

The student will be required to complete training in Personal Survival Techniques (via the Humber Offshore Training Association) and will be required to pass a medical in order to work

Entry requirements

If you have received or expect to achieve before starting your PhD programme a First-class Honours degree, or a 2:1 Honours degree and a Masters, or a Distinction at Master’s level a degree (or the international equivalents) in environmental science, marine biology or bioscience, with a strong ecology/marine science component, we would like to hear from you.

This scholarship is only available to Home (UK) students.

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