Narrative
The application of legislation and policy protecting European maerl habitats under the EC Habitats Directive has been strengthened by research at QUB showing that maerl, coral-like seaweed, is slow-growing, intolerant of disturbance and burial, and supports high biodiversity. A new marine Natura 2000 Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in Northern Ireland was designated for maerl in 2010. Maerl beds in the Fal and Helford SAC, the largest in England, were protected in 2009 from channel dredging until a Scientific Panel including a QUB academic has considered the results of a maerl-relocation trial in 2013.| Impact status | Ongoing |
|---|---|
| Category of impact | Public Policy Impact, Environmental Impact |
Documents & Links
Related content
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Research output
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Like a rolling stone: the mobility of maerl (Corallinaceae) and the neutrality of the associated assemblages
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Environmental tolerances of free-living coralline algae (maerl): implications for European marine conservation
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Comparative growth rates and internal banding periodicity of maerl species (Corallinales, Rhodophyta) from northern Europe
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Use of radiocarbon dating to interpret past environments of maerl beds
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review