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Science Group

Sea and Society

We pioneer innovative research approaches that support the effective and sustainable management of marine and coastal systems and activities. This is designed to increase the benefits provided to society by the sea while conserving and enhancing the environment.

The 'Sea and Society' group is committed to supporting sustainable and responsible ocean stewardship, improving the understanding and relationships which people have with the marine and coastal environment.

We investigate and demonstrate the consequences of the interactions between humans and natural systems. This includes the full breadth of marine and coastal ecosystem services - including food provision, carbon sequestration, flood and coastal erosion risk management, marine renewable energy, recreation, tourism, psychological restoration and connection to nature. In turn, we inform and develop effective measures to improve the outcomes, impacts and benefits of these interactions. 

The group itself is uniquely comprised of those with expertise in economics, psychology, and social and ecological science, allowing for transformative societally-orientated marine research which is undertaken at local, regional, national and international levels. 

Our main goals are to: 
  • Evidence the interactions of human and marine systems, determining the key interactions and how we can quantify the associated linkages
  • Understand the ecological, economic, psychological and social implications of anthropogenic pressures and environmental change
  • Co-develop research with a range of stakeholders into how community and ecosystem resilience can be improved, determining the options for mitigation, adaptation, and transformation in response to global change, and how these can be influenced through acceptability, empowerment and behavioural change.
  • Pioneer economic and social opportunities, mechanisms and tools for sustainable environmental policy and management, defining how, where and when novel mechanisms such as Payment for Ecosystem Service schemes, green-blue financing, and nature-based solutions can be implemented
  • Analyse options and provide evidence for management and policy makers at local to global levels,  supporting improved decision-making on the use and management of natural resources and marine space.

 

Latest publications

  • Watson, SCL; Somerfield, PJ; Lemasson, AJ; Knights, AM; Edwards-Jones, A; Nunes, J; Pascoe, CK; McNeill, CL; Schratzberger, M; Thompson, MSA; Couce, E; Szostek, CL; Baxter, H; Beaumont, NJ; 2024. The global impact of offshore wind farms on ecosystem services . Ocean & Coastal Management.
  • Knights, AM; Lemasson, AJ; Firth, LB; Bond, T; Claisse, J; Coolen, JWP; Copping, A; Dannheim, J; De Dominicis, M; Degraer, S; Elliott, M; Fernandes, PG; Fowler, AM; Frost, MT; Henry, L-A; Hicks, N; Hyder, K; Jagerroos, S; Jones, DOB; Love, M; Lynam, CP; Macreadie, PI; Marlow, J; Mavraki, N; McLean, D; Montagna, PA; Paterson, DM; Perrow, MR; Porter, J; Russell, DJF; Bull, AS; Schratzberger, M; Shipley, B; van Elden, S; Vanaverbeke, J; Want, A; Watson, SCL; Wilding, TA; Somerfield, PJ; 2024. Developing expert scientific consensus on the environmental and societal effects of marine artificial structures prior to decommissioning . Journal of Environmental Management.
  • Knights, AM; Lemasson, AJ; Firth, LB; Beaumont, NJ; Birchenough, S; Claisse, J; Coolen, JWP; Copping, A; De Dominicis, M; Degraer, S; Elliott, M; Fernandes, PG; Fowler, AM; Frost, MT; Henry, L-A; Hicks, N; Hyder, K; Jagerroos, S; Love, M; Lynam, CP; Macreadie, PI; McLean, D; Marlow, J; Mavraki, N; Montagna, PA; Paterson, DM; Perrow, MR; Porter, J; Bull, AS; Schratzberger, M; Shipley, B; van Elden, S; Vanaverbeke, J; Want, A; Watson, SCL; Wilding, TA; Somerfield, PJ; 2023. To what extent can decommissioning options for marine artificial structures move us toward environmental targets? . Journal of Environmental Management.

View more publications on our repository

People who work in this area of research

Professor Nicola Beaumont

Head of Science - Sea and Society
nijb3/19/2024 5:17:36 AM@pml.ac.uk

Dr Stefanie Broszeit

Senior marine ecosystem services scientist
stbr3/19/2024 5:17:36 AM@pml.ac.uk

Andrew Edwards-Jones

Social Scientist
aej3/19/2024 5:17:36 AM@pml.ac.uk

Dr Elizabeth Gabe-Thomas

Environmental Psychologist
egt3/19/2024 5:17:36 AM@pml.ac.uk

Dr Samantha Garrard

Marine Ecosystem Services Researcher
sga3/19/2024 5:17:36 AM@pml.ac.uk

Dr Océane Marcone

Social Science Researcher
ocm3/19/2024 5:17:36 AM@pml.ac.uk

Anthony B. Ndah

Ecosystem Scientist
andah3/19/2024 5:17:36 AM@pml.ac.uk

Dr Keila Guillen Oñate

Environmental Economist
kgu3/19/2024 5:17:36 AM@pml.ac.uk

Dr Olivia Rendón

Senior Environmental Economist
ore3/19/2024 5:17:36 AM@pml.ac.uk

Dr Claire Szostek

Ecosystem Services Scientist
csz3/19/2024 5:17:36 AM@pml.ac.uk

Dr Stephen Watson

Senior Ecosystems Services Scientist
stw3/19/2024 5:17:36 AM@pml.ac.uk