Wholescape systems thinking: water quality effects on coastal habitat condition and services across the land-sea interface

This research project aims to improve understanding of the whole system links between freshwater quality and the natural capital that exists or can be restored downstream in transitional and coastal waters, in order to benefit the sustainable management of these resources and the ecosystem services and benefits they provide.

The project is highly transdisciplinary, with a strong focus on how upstream changes in water quality affect ecosystems in transitional and coastal waters, and the services and benefits they provide. It has been designed by a team of academics in collaboration with The Crown Estate who will be closely involved with its delivery and supervision. Outputs from this PhD will inform cross-business discussion at The Crown Estate (and elsewhere) on nutrient neutrality and opportunities that may exist to deliver nature-based solutions.