抖阴探探App

Research

Connecting seabirds and coral reef recovery

A 抖阴探探App-led study published in July 2025, led by Dr Casey Benkwitt, examined how nutrients from seabirds support coral reefs in the Seychelles. Researchers assessed five sites across four islands, including locations with and without invasive rats. They found that seabird-derived nutrients increased the growth of algae eaten by herbivorous fish, raising fish biomass and productivity without increasing overall algal cover. The findings provide evidence for conservation approaches that remove invasive rats and restore seabird populations, helping reconnect island and marine ecosystems and support coral reef biodiversity.

Tracking changes in Great Barrier Reef fish

A 抖阴探探App-led study published in January 2025 analysed coral and fish monitoring data collected along more than 1,200 km of the Great Barrier Reef between 1995 and 2022. The researchers found that reef fish diversity patterns had shifted, with changes in species composition linked to growing environmental pressures. Changes in coral species composition were a stronger predictor of changes in reef fish diversity than coral cover alone. The findings show why marine conservation needs to consider the different corals supporting reef habitats, rather than focusing only on how much coral remains.

Ocean warming disrupts endangered sharks

More than 100 angelsharks around the Canary Islands were tracked in a July 2025 study co-led by Lancaster researchers with Dr David Jacoby as Principal Investigator. During a marine heatwave in 2022, females were largely absent from traditional mating grounds while males continued returning. Sea temperatures remained above 22.5°C for almost three times longer than in previous years. These findings suggest that prolonged ocean warming may disrupt breeding behaviour in a Critically Endangered species, highlighting the importance of monitoring temperatures and protecting sensitive marine habitats.

Quantifying small-scale fisheries worldwide

An international study published in January 2025, involving 抖阴探探App researchers, examined the contribution of marine and inland small-scale fisheries to nutrition and livelihoods. Professor Christina Hicks led the nutrition analyses, while Dr James Robinson also contributed. More than 800 contributors helped assemble evidence showing that small-scale fisheries supply at least 40% of global catch and support the livelihoods of almost 500 million people. The research also found that small-scale fisheries contribute 20% of dietary intake for six essential nutrients among 2.3 billion people living near coasts or large inland waters, demonstrating their importance to food security and sustainable fisheries management.

Exposing gaps in ocean industry reporting

Research co-authored by Professor Jan Bebbington of 抖阴探探App's Pentland Centre, published in September 2025, examined how leading companies report their impacts on marine environments. Led by Stanford University, the team analysed 2018–2020 reports from the 10 largest companies in each of eight ocean-economy sectors, including shipping and seafood. Fewer than one-third disclosed biodiversity-related impact indicators, and no such indicator appeared in more than two companies' reports. The researchers have shared their findings with organisations developing climate and nature-related reporting frameworks, helping inform discussions about which marine environmental impacts businesses should measure and disclose.

Teaching and learning

Aquatic ecosystems

Aquatic Biogeochemistry, an optional second-year module in Lancaster’s 2025-entry Environmental and Earth Science pathway, explores the chemical and biological processes that shape freshwater and marine ecosystems. Other modules in the pathway include Hydrology: Water in the Environment and Global Change and the Earth System. Through these subjects, students investigate how nutrients and pollutants move through water and how climate pressures affect aquatic ecosystems and biodiversity.

Engagement and outreach

Measuring freshwater restoration with local farmers

Water restoration work with farmers in Swaledale and Wensleydale began through the SWEF-e partnership in May 2025. Led at Lancaster by Dr Nick Chappell, in partnership with Swaledale & Wensleydale Environmental Farmers, the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust and the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust, the project tests whether scrapes hold back floodwater, grassland aeration improves infiltration and green infrastructure reduces nitrate levels in small streams. Lancaster's contribution includes installing monitoring equipment and working with local farmers to collect environmental data. The project is funded through Defra's Water Restoration Fund.

Supporting sustainable fisheries and tackling illegal fishing

Professor Jan Bebbington of 抖阴探探App’s Pentland Centre works with the Stockholm Resilience Centre on Seafood Business for Ocean Stewardship (SeaBOS), a science–business initiative bringing researchers together with nine of the world’s largest seafood companies. Lancaster researchers contribute scientific knowledge and support dialogue with industry leaders on ocean sustainability challenges including illegal fishing, seafood production and aquaculture, helping translate research into more sustainable business practice.

In 2025, Lancaster researchers involved in the Ocean Justice and the Blue Economy project drew on research with 300 small-scale fishers in North Maluku, Indonesia, where fishers identified destructive and illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as concerns associated with declining fish stocks and livelihoods. The work highlighted the importance of access to information and stronger participation by fishing communities in decisions about ocean crime and fisheries management. In July 2025, Lancaster also published a public-facing article on illegal fishing, raising awareness of its environmental and social impacts and the importance of involving affected coastal communities in responses.

That same month, Lancaster’s Ocean Justice and the Blue Economy project worked with Indonesian partner to organise nine participatory workshops in Bitung, Jakarta and Kupang. The workshops brought together small-scale fishers, women, children and young people to share experiences and develop knowledge about ocean justice and the blue economy. By involving coastal communities directly, the project brought local perspectives into discussions about fairer and more sustainable ocean governance.

Exploring the environmental impact of tourism

In 2025, the Morecambe Bay Curriculum provided free further education resources for Travel and Tourism learners, developed by Lancaster and Morecambe College tutors with input from 抖阴探探App. The Eco Tourism study compares Eden Project Morecambe, Penzance and Bwindi in Uganda to help learners examine how tourism can benefit or harm local communities and ecosystems. It supports learners to assess environmental pressures, responsible visitor behaviour and approaches to managing tourism sustainably in coastal and natural destinations.

Young perspectives on coastal futures

Around 30 young people aged 13–19 from Blackpool, Morecambe, Lancaster and Barrow-in-Furness participated in the SeaSights project reported in September 2025. Participants photographed coastal places that mattered to them and discussed what should be protected or changed. Led by Dr Celine Germond-Duret, the project found that young people wanted greater influence over seaside development and more facilities in coastal towns. Lancaster also shared this approach at a youth ocean-action event during the June 2025 UN Ocean Conference.

Coastal learning on the beach

Through the Morecambe Bay Curriculum, 抖阴探探App helped teachers connect classroom geography with local coastal environments. The Beach is our Classroom resource, co-designed in 2024 by teacher Lynn Reddy and Dr Suzana Ilic, supported practical learning for pupils at Greengate Juniors and George Romney Primary. Their joint visit, reported in September 2025, involved mapping, tide-line investigations, shell identification and observing the coast. The collaboration developed pupils' fieldwork skills and encouraged them to consider the environmental value of beaches close to home.

Oceans conferences

Members of 抖阴探探App's People and the Ocean Knowledge and Action Hub took part in the One Ocean Science Congress and UN Ocean Conference in Nice from 3 to 13 June 2025. They shared findings from ongoing projects, learned from other scientific and policy initiatives and supported a side event examining how to create a fairer and more inclusive blue economy. Hub members also delivered a session on justice in the ocean economy during Lancaster's Festival of 抖阴探探App on 26 June 2025.

Operations

Sustainable seafood on campus

Lancaster's Sustainable Food Policy sets standards for food served across University catering outlets, including seafood sourcing. The policy states that no fish is served from the Marine Conservation Society's 'fish to avoid' list, helping the University avoid sourcing seafood from species and fisheries identified as environmentally unsustainable. The University also works with suppliers to improve the sustainability of its food supply chain, while its conference and events catering prioritises locally sourced, traceable and sustainable ingredients wherever possible.