What's happening to mussels and oysters on the Swedish west coast?
In this Sea and Society Talk, Mats Lindegart shares research findings on the distribution and changes of mussels and oysters along Sweden's west coast, based on studies of over 800 locations along the Bohuslän coastline – from Strömstad to Gothenburg.
A stroll along the west coast can reveal more than 20 species of mussels and oysters, but the picture has changed in recent decades. Many locals and summer guests hold vivid memories of extensive mussel and oyster banks, yet now frequently come across the "new" Pacific oyster that has emerged in vast quantities since the mid-2000s. But how significant are these changes really? And what lies behind this development?
In this Sea and Society Talk, Mats Lindegart presents research findings from multiple studies of both natural habitats and man-made structures like docks and buoys along the Bohuslän coast. The research team has analyzed samples from over 800 locations collected in collaboration with IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute and the University of Agder. The analysis has made it possible to map biomass and population size for the three most common species, and assess their ecological significance across different geographical areas and depth intervals.
The results paint a complex picture here distribution varies both geographically and across different habitats. Although the exact causes of the changes remain uncertain, much evidence points to predation playing a crucial role. Particularly interesting is that 2024 became a record year for mussel recruitment – a sign that our understanding of these species' population dynamics is still incomplete.
About the speaker
Mats Lindegart is a Professor of marine ecology at the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of Gothenburg. His work focuses on fundamental and applied marine environmental issues at the Swedish Institute for the Marine Environment and the Centre for Sea and Society, but is primarily based at the Tjärnö Marine Laboratory. Mats' research and teaching interests concern coastal zone management, aquaculture, benthic ecology, and statistical modeling. Current research activities are typically policy-driven and focus on methodological issues related to modeling and mapping of benthic biodiversity, monitoring and status assessment of coastal waters, and understanding the population dynamics and ecosystem significance of mussels and oysters.
About Sea and Society Talks
Sea and Society Talks is a lunch seminar series for researchers and ocean professionals, focusing on the challenges for a sustainable development and management of coasts and the sea.
Link to Webinar
Link to zoom webinar will be sent out after registration.n.