Ocean Systems

Understanding how various levels of ecological organisation respond to environmental change through studies on eco-evolutionary patterns and processes in the coastal zone. Working at exceptionally large spatiotemporal scales, the NIOZ is unique in that its expertise spans almost the complete trophic pyramid: from primary producers (algae) to secondary producers (shellfish, worms, snails), and predators (birds, mammals, fish) at subsequent trophic levels. This ecological expertise is complemented by the in-depth knowledge at NIOZ of the local and global physical properties and processes of coastal systems.