Effects of offshore wind farms on the distribution of invasive species

Description

The number of marine structures for renewable energy is planned to dramatically increase in the next few years to deliver on the national and international commitments to implement the energy transition towards low-carbon energy production. However, these structures have a variety of negative and positive impacts on the marine environment, including the development of communities on the pristine hard substratum that is introduced in the ocean with wind turbines, which can offer new colonisable space to several species.

It has long been claimed that the marine structures could be colonised by non-native species, and that the creation of new wind farms (often in clusters) could create a series of stepping stones that could favourite the proliferation of invasive species, including the expansion of the invaded areas from coastal waters to offshore. While the presence of invasive species has been confirmed on marine structures (turbine foundations, scour protection), it is not really clear if the wind farms exacerbate the problem and if the ‘stepping stones’ dynamic is an actual risk.

The suggested PhD idea could aim at better characterising this knowledge gaps through:

- A detailed literature analysis

- An analysis of correlation between invasive species and abiotic factors (e.g. tidal regime, depth, temp or salinity)

- An analysis of field data, with the analysis of the number of invasive species and a comparison between natural and artificial reefs

- The analysis of newly installed structures to understand whether invasive species are more prevalent during the first colonisation waves or in more mature communities; or

- Modelling the possible stepping stones effects based on the present and forecasted offshore developments map, possibly considering case studies and identifying species that pose particularly high risk

Species analysis could take advantage of innovative technologies such as eDNA and AI analysis of videos and pictures.

Candidates wishing to apply should complete the University of Liverpool application form [How to apply for a PhD - University of Liverpool] applying for a PhD in **Civil Engineering** and uploading: Degree Certificates & Transcripts, an up-to-date CV, a covering letter/personal statement which will be one page of A4 stating interest in project and why you want to study with the N0MES CDT, and two academic references.