Ecosystem function of Mediterranean rhodolith seascapes

Objective

Rhodolith beds (RBs) are among the most biodiverse yet overlooked marine ecosystems, despite covering >4M sq km globally and contributing to Earth’s biodiversity and carbon cycling. Their functions remain poorly quantified compared to other marine habitats, limiting integration into conservation strategies. SeaFun addresses this gap by developing spatially-explicit, functionality-integrated models for the Mediterranean’s largest RB in the Menorca Channel. The project hypothesizes that RB spatial configuration and connectivity enhance functions such as carbon storage and aims to translate these processes into decision-support tools for marine spatial planning (MSP) and nature-based solutions (NBS). While seascape ecology and Earth observation methods have advanced, no approach currently links RB spatial heterogeneity and connectivity with ecosystem function or climate resilience. SeaFun moves beyond state-of-the-art by combining remote sensing, ecology, graph theory, and scenario-based climate modelling in a novel multi-scale framework. The project is structured into four objectives: (1) map environmental drivers of RB function and carbon dynamics, (2) assess seascape connectivity using network analysis, (3) project RB resilience under IPCC-aligned climate scenarios, and (4) integrate outputs into spatial tools for MSP and NBS. A short stay in New Zealand will provide training in advanced seascape modelling, strengthening transferability of the methods to new systems. SeaFun will substantially advance my expertise in ecological modelling, seascape ecology, and science-policy integration, while building an international network. Beyond individual training, SeaFun will provide the first reproducible framework for RB functions, directly supporting the EU Green Deal, EU Nature Restoration Law, and UN SDGs 13, 14, and 15. By elevating RBs to the level of other blue carbon habitats, the project positions Europe at the forefront of marine biodiversity and climate solutions.