Retrospective optimisation of multifunctionality on coastal urban infrastructure

与自然栖息地相比，复杂性的降低和空间规模的减少共同支撑了人工生境的生物多样性和生态系统的多功能性缺陷1。在细粒(毫米-厘米)尺度上，低物理复杂性可以通过过滤环境适应不良的有机体来抑制幼虫的定居/招募2。物理上简单的环境可以选择过多的中掠食性动物(例如帽贝)，它们的非选择性放牧行为可以从生物上过滤较弱的物种，导致食草动物优势和“帽状贫瘠”3，类似于潮下生态系统中的海胆贫瘠。这里的目标是升级GGI解决方案，以利用适当复杂的表面来刺激“多功能级联”，为栖息地形成的物种(例如岩藻、贻贝)提供补给阶段的避难所，进而通过促进级联支持更大的生物多样性和生态系统多功能性4。在中粒(例如厘米-米)和大粒(例如&gt；10m)，降低的物理复杂性使环境条件同质化，从而有效地降低了生态位可用性、斑块内(a多样性)和斑块间(B多样性)5的物种数量，以及站点规模(G)的多样性和多功能性。在更大的尺度上，与以连续的同质垂直海堤为特征的区域相比，具有生境马赛克的不连续海岸线的区域(例如，点缀着天然珊瑚礁的海堤)可以支持更高的B多样性。本课程将评估复杂性、生物多样性和生态系统多功能性之间的关系，然后应用这一新的经验性理解，为更大规模的GGI解决方案提供信息。我们提出了一个三管齐下的先进方法：(1)实地调查和中观研究，以量化普利茅斯海湾、南安普敦水域和米尔福德港湾(根据城市化水平的差异而选择)多个尺度(摄影测量/生物多样性调查)的自然发生的物理复杂性、生物多样性和多功能之间的关系。生态系统的多功能性将使用功能特征数据库进行评估，并使用田间中观系统进行验证。[Firth，Griffin，Foggo](2)两个使用仿生瓷砖的操纵性野外实验将确定(1)结构特征是否阻止/鼓励关键分类群，并将繁殖压力与物理复杂性(非生物过滤)和定居后生物相互作用(生物过滤)的作用分开；以及(2)面积(规模)和空间异质性(排列)如何在更大的空间尺度上影响生物多样性和多功能结果。实验将部署在Brixham(已获得许可)[Firth，Hanley，Knight](3)建模将测试GGI斑块的表面类型、密度和空间异质性如何影响关键食草动物(如帽状动物)的可及性和空间使用(见OneDrive中的图1)。方法将涉及现场调查(照片/时间推移)和建模(例如相关步行模型)。[Firth，Knights]该项目允许学生在应用和理论生态建模方面发展非常受欢迎的技术和学术技能，以及一般研究技能。监督团队在高质量博士培训和指导方面的过往记录，以及学生主导的高质量研究成果，确保了出色的学生体验，包括融入UOP国内外充满活力的教职员工和学生社区。将鼓励UOP和ARIES继续专业发展的培训课程，并在国际会议(如国际温带珊瑚礁研讨会)上介绍，以发展他们的网络和科学交流技能。

A combination of reduced complexity and spatial scale underpins biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality deficits on artificial compared to natural habitats1. At fine-grain (mm-cm) scales, low physical complexity can inhibit the settlement/recruitment of larvae by environmentally filtering out mal-adapted organisms2. Physically simple environments can select for an over-abundance of mesopredators (e.g. limpets), whose non-selective grazing behaviour can biotically filter2 weaker species, leading to grazer dominance and "limpet barrens"3, akin to urchin barrens in subtidal systems. Here, the goal is to upscale GGI solutions to stimulate a 'multifunctional cascade' using appropriately complex surfaces to provide recruitment-phase refugia from grazing for habitat-forming species (e.g. fucoids, mussels) that, in turn, support greater biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality through facilitation cascades4. At medium- (e.g. cm-m) and large-grains (e.g. >10m), reduced physical complexity homogenises environmental conditions that effectively reduces niche availability, the number of species both within (a-diversity) and between patches (B-diversity)5, and site-scale (g) diversity and multi-functionality. At larger scales, regions characterised by discontinuous shorelines with mosaics of habitats (e.g. seawalls interspersed with natural reef) could support higher B-diversity compared to regions characterised by continuous homogenous vertical seawalls. This studentship will evaluate relationships between complexity, biodiversity, and ecosystem multifunctionality, and then apply this new empirical understanding to inform upscaling GGI solutions at larger scales. We propose a three-pronged state-of-art approach: (1) Field surveys and mesocosm studies to quantify naturally-occurring relationships between physical complexity, biodiversity, and multifunctionality at multiple scales (photogrammetry/biodiversity surveys) in Plymouth Sound, Southampton Water and Milford Haven (selected due to differences in levels of urbanisation). Ecosystem multifunctionality will be estimated using functional traits databases and validated using field mesocosms. [Firth, Griffin, Foggo] (2) Two manipulative field experiments using biomimetic tiles will determine (1) whether structural features deter/encourage key taxa and disentangle the roles of propagule pressure from physical complexity (abiotic filtering) and post-settlement biotic interactions (biotic filtering) on assemblage development; and (2) how area (scale) and spatial heterogeneity (arrangement) influence biodiversity and multifunctionality outcomes at larger spatial scales. Experiments will be deployed in Brixham (permission already granted)[Firth, Hanley, Knights] (3) Modelling will test how the surface type, density and spatial heterogeneity of GGI patches affect accessibility and spatial use by key grazers (e.g. limpets)(see Fig 1 in OneDrive). Methods will involve in-situ surveys (photographs/time-lapse) and modelling (e.g. correlated walk models). [Firth, Knights] The project allows the student to develop highly sought-after technical and academic skills in applied and theoretical ecological modelling, and general research skills. The supervisory team's track-record of high-quality PhD training and mentoring, evidenced by and student-led high-quality research outputs ensures an excellent student experience, including integration into a vibrant community of staff and students at UoP and abroad. UoP and ARIES training courses for continuing professional development will be encouraged, alongside presentation at international conferences (e.g. International Temperate Reefs Symposium) to develop their network and science communication skills.